Fall Flavors: Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Salad Recipe

Autumn Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Salad

Greetings, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, I am excited to share with you a delightful autumn recipe that combines the earthy sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the juicy freshness of pears. This salad is the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a great addition to any fall meal.

To begin, you will need the following ingredients:

• butternut squash (500g, peeled and cubed)
• pear (2, ripe and sliced)
• fresh spinach (150g, washed and dried)
• pecans (100g, roughly chopped)
• feta cheese (100g, crumbled)
• olive oil
• maple syrup
• balsamic vinegar
• salt
• black pepper

Make sure to preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the cubed butternut squash on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper, then toss to coat evenly. Roast in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until the squash is tender and slightly caramelized.

While the butternut squash is roasting, prepare the dressing by mixing together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

In a large salad bowl, combine the roasted butternut squash, sliced pears, fresh spinach, and chopped pecans. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

For an added touch of warmth and depth of flavor, you can also sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg over the salad before serving.

Kitchen Tools:

• baking sheet
• parchment paper
• mixing bowl
• salad bowl
• small bowl

This Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Salad weighs approximately 1000g when fully prepared, serves 4, with each serving weighing around 250g, and contains roughly 300 calories per serving.

A unique tip for this recipe is to toast the pecans in a dry skillet before adding them to the salad. This will enhance their nutty flavor and give them a nice crunch that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.

I hope you enjoy creating and savoring this autumn-inspired dish. Feel free to customize it with your favorite additions or substitutions to make it your own. Happy cooking!