🎃🍂🥗 Anything Summer Can Do, Fall Can Do Better: This Pumpkin Salad With Cranberries Proves It

October 09, 2021

Now that summer's over, baked goods, soups, and warm casseroles basically take over our meal planning. But this healthy, delish salad is here to balance out all the pumpkin-flavoured goodness. It's stuffed with all the best fresh fall produce, from pumpkin to mâche to cranberries. Looking for autumnal leafy green inspiration? Look no more. 

 

This autumn salad is EVERYTHING + more. It's:

〰 super flavorful
〰 fresh
〰 savoury-sweet
〰 crunchy
〰 easy (+ quick!) to make
〰 perfect for fall
〰 so delicious

 

 

TIME NEEDED: 30 minutes 

SERVINGS: 2

 

INGREDIENTS

• Smartbite Spelt crackers 
• 1 small Hokkaido squash 
• a handful of mâche (or your favourite leafy greens)
• 2 shallots 
• a handful of pecans 
• a handful of dried cranberries (or other dried fruit, such as currants)
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar 
• fresh thyme 
• olive oil 
• salt + pepper to taste 

 

 

 

PREPARATION 

1. Preheat oven to 425 F (218 C). To prepare squash, use a sharp knife to carefully cut in half lengthwise (from root to tip), then remove seeds with a spoon or ice scream scooper. Slice squash halves into even wedges and leave the skin on.

2. Arrange squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Spread in an even layer. Roast squash for ~15-20 minutes or until tender and golden brown.

3. Put your cranberries in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Set aside for 10 minutes. 

4. In the meantime, prepare dressing by adding balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil. Then allow to simmer until it is reduced by half and looks thick (about 10-15 minutes). Watch carefully near the end as it can go from reduced to burnt quickly. You’ll know it’s done when, swirled, it coats the sides of the pan.

5. Now it's time to toast spelt crackers and pecans. Add both ingredients to a skillet, add a bit of olive olive and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned – about 3-5 minutes (being careful not to burn). Mix in a bit of fresh thyme. 

6. Next, add sliced shallots to a small bowl with salt, pepper and toss to coat. Heat a medium (preferably cast-iron) skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and floured shallots and sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and crispy – ~5 minutes.

7. To serve, arrange mâche on two platters and top with roasted squash, crispy shallots, toasted cracker mix, and cranberries. Drizzle with dressing. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Did you make this recipe? We get crazy excited when you make our recipes and we always love to see how they turn out. 
Tag @smartbitesnacks on Instagram and hashtag it #SmartbiteSnacks

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