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Butternut squash apple salad with candied pecans and apple cider vinaigrette.
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5 from 5 votes

Butternut Squash Apple Salad with Candied Pecans

Roasted Butternut Squash Apple Salad is loaded with all my favorite fall ingredients! Buttery roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, and skillet-candied pecans arranged on a bed of mixed lettuces. Sprinkle with feta cheese and drizzle with apple cider vinegar salad dressing.
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time21 minutes
Total Time1 hour 1 minute
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 600kcal
Cost: 10

Ingredients

Candied Pecans

  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Roasted Butternut Squash

  • 1 small butternut squash, seeded and cubed (or buy 3 cups fresh cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Salad

  • 2 medium-size Stayman-Winesap or Pink Lady apples, or your favorite snacking apple thinly sliced
  • 9 cups mixed spring greens that include arugula
  • 6 tablespoons cooked and crumbled bacon (about 3 slices)
  • 2 ounces crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • 12 tablespoons apple cider vinaigrette (or apple cider vinegar salad dressing)

Instructions

Candied Pecans

  • Melt butter in a small heavy-duty or cast iron skillet over medium heat; add sugar and pecans. Stir often, over medium to medium-low heat, about 5 to 6 minutes or until pecans are toasted and sugar is melted and lightly golden.
    Let them cool in skillet or on a plate. Break apart when cooled.

Roasted Butternut Squash

  • Toss 3 cups butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake at 400F degrees for 25 minutes on a baking sheet until golden brown. Let cool to room temperature.

Assemble the salad

  • Place spring greens on six salad plates. Sprinkle with the roasted butternut squash and arrange with apple slices.
  • Top with bacon, candied pecans and cheese. Drizzle each serving with about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinaigrette.

Notes

Shortcuts: 
  • Buy cubed butternut squash (fresh or frozen)
  • Buy pre-sliced apple slices
  • Buy candied pecans sold near the salad croutons or snacking nuts section
  • Buy apple cider vinaigrette
  • Buy prewashed salad greens

Nutrition

Serving: 1sixth | Calories: 600kcal