Neuro-Nourishing Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad
This salad is a celebration of the bounty of autumn, with roasted butternut squash, fresh spinach, red onion, pecans, and goat cheese. The vinaigrette is a simple but flavorful combination of olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it's also a delicious and satisfying meal.
The inspiration for this salad came to me on a chilly autumn day. I was walking through the farmers market, and I was struck by the beauty of the butternut squash. The squash were so plump and orange, and they looked so inviting. I knew that I had to buy some and make a salad. I also picked up some fresh spinach, red onion, pecans, and goat cheese. When I got home, I roasted the butternut squash until it was tender and caramelized. I then combined the roasted squash with the spinach, red onion, pecans, and goat cheese. I whisked together a simple vinaigrette and drizzled it over the salad. The salad was so delicious that I ate the entire thing in one sitting. I've been making this salad ever since, and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 25 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fresh spinach
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup toasted pecans
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and caramelized.
In a large bowl, combine the roasted butternut squash, spinach, red onion, pecans, and goat cheese.
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
Serve immediately.
Why It Works
The combination of roasted butternut squash, fresh spinach, red onion, pecans, and goat cheese is a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
The vinaigrette is simple but flavorful, and it complements the salad perfectly.
This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it's also a delicious and satisfying meal.