Roasted Squash Salad With Whipped Feta

Impress your dinner visitors with this attractive Roasted Squash Salad With Whipped Feta, toasted pumpkin seeds and an unimaginable candy and bitter date dressing drizzled over high. Better part: all parts are make-ahead pleasant!

What are the elements on this Roasted Squash Salad with Whipped Feta?

This recipe combines simple to search out elements ready in easy however elegant methods for a delightfully festive and scrumptious squash salad with high notch presentation. Listed below are my tips about which elements to make use of and the place to search out them on the retailer:

• dates – I can normally discover dates on the fringe of the produce part close to the dried fruit, or generally on random cabinets below the produce tables. The pits are very simple to take away your self, so no want to fret about shopping for pitted vs non pitted dates.
• squash – Any autumn squash will style scrumptious on this recipe, with every type having their very own affect on the ultimate style of the entire dish. I want to make use of delicata squash, as it’s a favourite of mine and doesn’t require peeling.
• garlic powder – I’m an enormous garlic lover, so naturally I added a contact of garlic powder to the roasting squash for a refined background taste.
• additional virgin olive oil – For roasting the veggies and making our sauces, some oil is critical! You should utilize common olive oil for roasting, however I vote follow EVOO for the dressings for the most effective taste.
• salt – Salt brings out the flavors of all these elements! Kosher salt or high-quality sea salt will each work.
• pink onion – Roasting pink onions brings out an unimaginable sweetness within the onion you gained’t imagine. It’s fairly completely different from uncooked onions.
• feta cheese – Use your favourite model of crumbled feta. Some manufacturers are extra salty than others, so preserve than in thoughts when tasting later. I strongly want Athenos model over President model.
• Greek yogurt – A thick Greek yogurt will assist the feta whip up however nonetheless keep good and thick after being refrigerated too. My favourite model of Greek yogurt is Fage.
• lemon – To offset the salty goodness of the cheese, a little bit of lemon helps steadiness the whipped feta and praise the remainder of the elements.
• pumpkin seeds – At my grocery retailer, they promote shelled pumpkin seeds close to all the shop packaged nuts and candies (type of by the bakery?). Possibly it is a bizarre Seattle factor, I don’t know ha
• pink wine vinegar – That is the ‘bitter’ a part of the candy and bitter dressing. Not really bitter, however whereas pink wine vinegar is fairly delicate, it nonetheless offers you that chew that contrasts completely with the sweetness of the blended dates.
• cilantro – A little bit of cilantro not solely seems to be good visually however provides a pleasant recent zing to the entire dish.
• flaky sea salt – Lastly, to deliver all the pieces collectively, a little bit of flaky sea salt is one of the best ways to complete the entire dish. Nevertheless, it’s okay in the event you don’t have this too 🙂

Tools you’ll must make this roasted squash salad:

You do want a couple of completely different objects to make this squash salad prove as meant. After all, to chop the squash, you’ll want a pointy knife and reducing board. The whipped feta and dressing require a small blender, and a sheet pan is required for roasting. Listed below are the small print:

• For my chef’s knife, I like to recommend a Misen Chef’s Knife (affiliate hyperlink!) – tremendous prime quality whereas additionally being reasonably priced.
• For my reducing board, I all the time use this Greener Chef XL Bamboo Cutting Board (affiliate hyperlink!) for reducing all the pieces apart from uncooked meat (for that I take advantage of a dishwasher protected plastic reducing board).
• For mixing, I just lately made the change from my NutriBullet (which I broke after 8 years of use) to The Beast Mini Blender (affiliate hyperlink!). This factor is modern, practical, and takes up little or no area. I’m liking it to date!
• Don’t neglect a rimmed half sheet pan (affiliate hyperlink!) for roasting! I’ve two of those that I take advantage of consistently for baking and roasting. Rimmed is the best way to go (so nothing spills or rolls off!).

Find out how to make this Roasted Squash Salad with Whipped Feta:

Whereas the directions could look complicated (uhm, Danielle, 7 steps?) it’s actually just a bit prep of every part (roasted veg, date dressing, whipped feta, toasty seeds), and you then put it allllll collectively. I promise it’s nothing sophisticated! All parts may be made forward if you would like. Right here’s the way it goes on prep day:

First, pour 1/4 cup of boiling water over the dates within the backside of a really small cup or bowl. The water needs to be principally masking the dates to allow them to soften up when you put together the opposite parts. Preheat the oven to 400F and line two massive baking sheets with parchment paper.

Seize your squash, reducing board, and sharp chef’s knife. Minimize the squash into roughly 1 inch wedges or quarter moons (relying on selection). Use a spoon to take away the seeds, and take away the pores and skin with a peeler if wanted. Take away the pores and skin of a butternut squash, however go away the skins of a delicata, honeynut or an acorn squash, for instance.

For a full record of which squash skins to depart and which to take away, learn extra on this article Can You Eat The Skin of Winter Squash? from Merely Recipes.

In a big bowl, toss the reduce squash along with 1 tablespoon of the oil, garlic powder, and a beneficiant quantity of salt. Then, unfold it throughout 1 1/2 of the baking sheets. Subsequent, toss the onion in the identical bowl with somewhat extra salt and 1/2 tablespoon oil, then unfold it throughout the ultimate 1/2 of the baking sheet as effectively.

Roast the squash and onions for 20-Half-hour, rotating the sheets and turning the squash items half means till all the pieces is tender and barely golden. If the onions are browning too shortly, you possibly can take away them 5 or so minutes early. Merely switch the 1/2 sheet pan of squash to the opposite pan for the final 5 minutes.

As soon as the veggies are within the oven, transfer on to the whipped feta. To begin, blitz the feta, Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and lemon juice collectively in a mini food processor or robust bullet blender. A Nutribullet works effectively – so does The Finest Mini Blender which I just lately tried for the primary time!

Relying in your mixing gadget, you’ll almost certainly must cease to scrape down the perimeters a few instances to get a totally easy combination. It needs to be fairly thick, so please be affected person. As soon as it’s accomplished, switch to a small bowl with lid – this manner you possibly can retailer it within the fridge till you assemble the salad or use each time wanted.

Subsequent, the pumpkin seeds. In a small dry frying pan over a medium excessive warmth, toast the pumpkin seeds for five minutes or so till they’re break up and popping, giving them an occasional stir as you go. Actually, it would even be somewhat startling after they begin popping, so simply bear in mind that it sounds virtually like popcorn! As soon as the seeds are accomplished toasting, switch them to a small bowl and allow them to cool – they are going to preserve popping for a bit!

The ultimate part is the candy and bitter date dressing. Wash out the meals processor or blender you used for the whipped feta. Mix collectively the soaked dates, any leftover soaking liquid, additional virgin olive oil, pink wine vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt. Progressively add extra water as wanted to get an virtually easy, drizzle-consistency dressing. It’s okay if a couple of small items of date stay. Give it a style to see the way you prefer it by itself!

Final step: Meeting. This may be accomplished proper after making the parts if serving instantly, or from their separate bowls if beforehand ready. Begin by swirling the whipped feta throughout a big serving dish. Pile on the roasted squash, and scatter the roasted onions on high of each. Observe with the toasted pumpkin seeds, and drizzle over the dressing. Add the recent cilantro, and end with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Lovely!

Find out how to assemble this squash salad:

For the most effective presentation, you’ll wish to plate this salad layer by layer and don’t combine or jostle the plate. Serve with a big serving spoon or serving tongs. Listed below are the meeting steps one-by-one:

1. Begin by swirling the whipped feta throughout a big serving dish. You need it to peak out throughout the sides of the platter.
2. Pile the roasted squash on high of the whipped feta. Do that rigorously, as fast actions or falling squash can smear the whipped feta swirls.
3. Scatter the roasted onions on high of the squash.
4. Observe with the toasted pumpkin seeds. You don’t have to make use of all of them, and any leftovers may be put in a small serving container on the facet to be added to particular person servings.
5. Drizzle the dressing excessive. Once more, no want to make use of all of it. Extra may be added to particular person servings relying on choice.
6. Add the recent cilantro, and end with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt when you have it.

Finest ideas for making this Roasted Squash Salad with Whipped Feta:

Listed below are my finest ideas that can assist you have success with this recipe at residence in your individual kitchen:

• Have persistence when mixing the whipped feta. You might need to push the elements down from the perimeters or shake the blender to proceed processing all the pieces. Be affected person and provides it a couple of tries earlier than including any extra oil or liquid, as we wish to preserve it thick.
• Keep watch over the onions roasting. Relying in your oven, they could begin to brown somewhat quick. Be sure you rotate your sheet pans within the oven to assist prepare dinner the veggies extra evenly.
• Don’t be afraid to get artistic whereas assembling! The primary time I smeared whipped feta on a naked plate, it did really feel bizarre. But it surely’s such a great way to distribute the whipped feta whereas not smothering it over your entire salad. And it’s enjoyable!!

What to serve with this squash salad:

This Roasted Squash Salad With Whipped Feta is kind of versatile and may be paired with a wide range of most important dishes, particularly on the vacation desk! Serve it as half of a bigger meal with most important dish protein equivalent to ham or hen.

Methods to meal prep this recipe:

This roasted squash salad recipe was developed with the concept that some or the entire parts may be ready forward of time, and the ultimate dish may be assembled proper earlier than serving. Right here’s somewhat extra information:

• The squash and onions may be roasted as much as 2 days forward.
• The whipped feta may be made 3 days forward.
• The date dressing may be made as much as 3 days forward.
• This dish may be assembled and served from the fridge or at room temperature. 
• All parts may be made forward and saved in hermetic containers within the fridge (besides preserve the toasted pumpkin seeds on the counter).

Is that this recipe freezer-friendly?

No, I’d not suggest freezing this recipe. It’s meant to be served as soon as it’s assembled.



Find out how to retailer Roasted Squash Salad with Whipped Feta:

Ready recipe parts may be saved in separate hermetic containers within the fridge earlier than assembling and serving. Leftover assembled squash salad may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days, but it surely is not going to look as fairly because the day it was assembled!

Find out how to reheat Roasted Squash Salad with Whipped Feta:

I like to recommend serving this dish barely chilled or at room temperature, as an alternative of reheating.

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Recipe



Roasted Squash Salad With Whipped Feta

Yield: 4 massive servings or 6–8 small servings 1x

Prep: 25 minutesPrepare dinner: 35 minutesComplete: 1 hour

Impress your dinner visitors with this attractive Roasted Squash Salad With Whipped Feta, toasted pumpkin seeds and an unimaginable candy and bitter date dressing drizzled over high. Better part: all parts are make-ahead pleasant!

Elements




Directions

1. Soak dates & prep: Pour 1/4 cup of boiling water over the pitted dates (4) within the backside of a really small cup or bowl and put aside. Preheat the oven to 400F and line two massive baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Put together squash: Minimize the squash (~1 1/2 kilos) into roughly 1 inch wedges or quarter moons (relying on selection), eradicating the seeds, and eradicating the pores and skin in the event you’re utilizing a range that doesn’t style good as soon as roasted. Take away the pores and skin of a butternut squash, however go away the skins of delicata or acorn squash, for instance. Leaving the skins the place attainable makes for a extra attention-grabbing dish and helps the squash items maintain collectively as soon as they’re smooth and roasted. 
3. Roast greens: In a big bowl, toss the reduce squash along with 1 tablespoon of oil, garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon), and a beneficiant quantity of salt (~1/2 teaspoon), then unfold throughout 1 1/2 of the baking sheets. Subsequent, toss the pink onion (1 massive, peeled and reduce into wedges) in the identical bowl with somewhat extra salt (~1/4 teaspoon) and 1/2 tablespoon oil. Unfold the onion items throughout the ultimate 1/2 of the baking sheet. Roast the greens for 20-Half-hour, rotating the sheets and turning the squash items half means till all the pieces is tender and barely golden. If the onions are browning too shortly, you possibly can take away them 5 or so minutes early.
   
4. Make whipped feta: Blitz the feta cheese (6 ounces), Greek yogurt (4 ounces or 1/2 cup), olive oil (1 tablespoon), and lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon) collectively in a mini meals processor or robust bullet blender: relying in your gadget, chances are you’ll must cease to scrape down the perimeters a few instances to get a easy combination – it needs to be thick. Leftover whipped feta will last as long as 4 days within the fridge. 
5. Toast pumpkin seeds: In a small dry frying pan over a medium excessive warmth, toast the pumpkin seeds (3 tablespoons) for five minutes or so till they’re break up and popping. Put aside to chill.
6. Make date dressing: Wash out the meals processor or blender, and mix collectively the soaked dates, any leftover soaking liquid, additional virgin olive oil (1 1/2 tablespoons), pink wine vinegar (1 1/2 tablespoons), and a pinch of kosher salt. Progressively add extra water as wanted to get an virtually easy, drizzle-consistency dressing. It’s okay if a couple of small items of date stay. This combination can simply be doubled as it’s nice with roasted fall greens and beans.
   
7. Assemble salad: To serve, swirl the whipped feta throughout a big serving dish. Pile on the roasted squash, and scatter over the roasted onions. Observe with the toasted pumpkin seeds, and drizzle over the dressing. Add the recent cilantro, and end with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. 
   • To make-ahead: The roasted squash and onions may be roasted as much as 2 days forward. The whipped feta may be made 3 days forward. The dressing may be made as much as 3 days forward. All of those ready elements needs to be saved in hermetic containers within the fridge if made forward of time. The pumpkin seeds may be toasted the day earlier than and saved in an hermetic container. This dish may be served from the fridge or at room temperature. 
     

Notes

Whipped feta substitute: For a plant-based model of this salad, mix 1 1/2 cans of drained white beans till easy with the lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Season to style with salt and add water as wanted to succeed in the specified consistency. 

Diet info estimated with My Health Pal. 

Diet Data

• Serving Measurement: ~1 cup
• Energy: 279
• Fats: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Protein: 7g

Delicacies:
Mediterranean-inspired


Technique:
Baked


Continuously Requested Questions


What’s the finest form of squash to make use of for this recipe?

My favourite form of squash to make use of for this recipe is delicata. I want this sort due to taste and ease of use. You possibly can go away the pores and skin on (consider it like zucchini pores and skin), and it makes excellent quarter moons for the salad.

I additionally examined this with butternut squash. It tasted scrumptious however required a bit of additional prep with the peeling. Typically, the larger the squash, the thicker and extra powerful the pores and skin will probably be.

Recipe developed by Rachel Phipps.