Name: Autumn Salad
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (½-inch; 6 cups); 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided; 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 8 cups chopped stemmed kale; 1 unpeeled Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced; 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Tip); 1/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

Servings:

4 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Notes

What Health Benefits Does Kale Have?

As a leafy green cruciferous vegetable, kale is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Health benefits linked with kale include cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, healthier eyes and bones, and a stronger immune system.

Is Squash Good for You?

Butternut squash is a type of winter squash—and winter squash in general is super nutritious and has numerous health benefits. Butternut squash in particular contains over 400% of a day’s worth of vitamin A in just 1 cup, plus 3 grams of fiber. It’s also high in vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium and magnesium. Butternut squash is also high in the carotenoid zeaxanthin, which may protect your eyes, heart and immune system.

Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

Yes, since this recipe uses no ingredients that contain gluten, this recipe is gluten-free.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Why Do You Have to Massage Kale for Salad?

Massaging kale helps tenderize the leaves by breaking down the vegetable’s fibrous texture. This makes it easier to chew and decreases the volume of the leaves while infusing them with the flavors of the dressing.

Can I Use Another Variety of Apple for the Salad?

Yes, you can! We use Honeycrisp apples for their sweet, tart flavor and crisp texture, but feel free to use other varieties of apples. Try apples that work best for salads, such as Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith.

Is There a Substitute for Gorgonzola Cheese?

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese with a creamy, rich flavor and mild aroma. If you prefer, you can substitute it with other types of blue cheese, feta or goat cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Autumn Salad Ahead?

You can roast the butternut squash ahead, following the recipe through Step 1. Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (½-inch; 6 cups)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
8 cups chopped stemmed kale
1 unpeeled Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see Tip)
1/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine squash, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon each salt, pepper and cinnamon in a medium bowl; stir until evenly coated. Spread evenly on a large baking sheet. Roast until the squash is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Jen Causey (Photographer), Rishon Hanners (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)
Meanwhile, stir vinegar, garlic, mustard, lemon juice and the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large serving bowl until combined. Add kale; massage the kale and dressing with clean hands until the kale is wilted and softened, 1 to 2 minutes.

PHOTO:
Jen Causey (Photographer), Rishon Hanners (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

PHOTO:
Jen Causey (Photographer), Rishon Hanners (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)
Add the squash, apple slices and pecans; toss to combine. Top with Gorgonzola.

Tip

For the best flavor, toast nuts before using in a recipe. To toast chopped nuts, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

EatingWell.com, October 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

457	Calories
32g	Fat
44g	Carbs
8g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 2 cups
Calories 457
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 44g	16%
Dietary Fiber 8g	29%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 8g	15%
Total Fat 32g	40%
Saturated Fat 5g	27%
Cholesterol 8mg	3%
Vitamin A 1301Âµg
Vitamin C 85mg	95%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 6mg	42%
Folate 111Âµg
Vitamin K 241Âµg
Sodium 449mg	20%
Calcium 239mg	18%
Iron 3mg	15%
Magnesium 114mg	27%
Potassium 1077mg	23%
Zinc 2mg	15%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Autumn Salad