Best 5 Pumpkin Squash Spinach Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant colors and flavors of fall with our tantalizing Pumpkin Squash and Spinach Salad. This delightful dish combines the earthy sweetness of roasted pumpkin and squash with the peppery bite of fresh spinach, creating a symphony of autumnal flavors. Topped with a zesty dressing of tangy lemon juice, sweet honey, and aromatic Dijon mustard, this salad is a refreshing and nutritious way to celebrate the season's bounty. As a bonus, we've included two additional salad recipes that are equally delicious and bursting with seasonal produce. Our Winter Squash and Spinach Salad showcases the nutty flavor of roasted winter squash, while our Warm Spinach Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon offers a hearty and comforting meal that's perfect for chilly evenings. Get ready to elevate your salad game with these vibrant and flavorful recipes that are sure to impress your taste buds.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ROAST PUMPKIN, SPINACH AND FETA SALAD



Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad image

Recipe video above. Try this Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad for your next Sunday lunch! Drizzled with a Honey Balsamic Dressing, this is a magical combination of ingredients. I usually serve this at room temperature but it's also great warm. Serves 2 - 3 as a meal, 4 - 5 as a side.

Provided by Nagi

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

600 g / 1.2 lb pumpkin ((after peeling), cut into 3cm / 1.25" cubes (Note 1))
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
2.5 tbsp / 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup / 35g pine nuts ((Note 2))
150 g / 5 oz baby spinach leaves (4 handfuls)
60 g / 2 oz feta (, crumbled (or more!!))

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 220C/430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan/convection).
  • Toss pumpkin with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread on baking tray, bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip, then bake for a further 7 - 10 minutes until golden but not mushy. (Note 3) Loosen pumpkin with egg flip (it can adhere as it cools), then if serving salad at room temperature, leave to cool.
  • Shake Dressing in a jar. Taste and adjust to taste. I like it a bit sharp because it balances out the flavours in this salad.
  • Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until light golden and it smells nutty. Remove pine nuts from skillet as soon as it's ready.
  • Place Spinach in a bowl. Drizzle with a bit of dressing then toss.
  • Add pumpkin, just a bit of feta and pine nuts, then GENTLY BRIEFLY toss just to disperse the feta. (If you toss vigorously, the feta can make it look messy).
  • Transfer to serving plate. Sprinkle over remaining feta and pine nuts. Just before serving, drizzle with remaining dressing (dressing doesn't stay on baby spinach well, so worth drizzling at end). Serve!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 226 g, Calories 264 kcal

PUMPKIN SEED SPINACH SALAD



Pumpkin Seed Spinach Salad image

Here's a fresh new use for pumpkin seeds kernels. This sweet, light and tasty salad is studded with cranberries for attactive color. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch cayenne pepper
DRESSING:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sugar
SALAD:
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, toast seeds over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add sugar and seasonings. Continue to cook and stir until sugar melts, about 4 minutes. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool., In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until smooth. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, cranberries, cheese and pumpkin seeds. Serve with dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 136 calories, Fat 9g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 93mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

PUMPKIN (SQUASH) & SPINACH SALAD



Pumpkin (Squash) & Spinach Salad image

Gourmet pizzas call for a special side salad - this nutty number goes well. Notes & tips: Prep: 10 mins (+ 30 mins cooling time) You can prepare this recipe to the end of step 6 up to 2 hours ahead. Continue from step 7 just before serving. Source: Australian Good Taste magazine - November 2006

Provided by Rhiannon and Matt

Categories     Spinach

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

600 g butternut pumpkin, deseeded, peeled, cut into wedges
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey, plus extra
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons coarse grain mustard
1 (150 g) packet baby spinach leaves
75 g pine nuts, toasted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 220°C.
  • Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
  • Place the pumpkin in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Gently toss until the pumpkin is well coated.
  • Place in a single layer on the lined tray. Bake, turning once during cooking, for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with the sesame seeds. Return to oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the seeds are lightly toasted. Remove from oven and set aside for 30 minutes to cool.
  • Combine the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, mustard and extra honey in a screw-top jar and shake until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place the pumpkin, spinach and pine nuts in a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing and gently toss until just combined.
  • Serve immediately.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PUMPKIN SEEDS



Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds image

We had left over roasted butternut squash one night, so I threw it on a salad and topped it with cheese. My family loved it! Since then we added caramelized pumpkin seeds (my brother's idea) and a homemade dressing. -Nicole Sadowsky, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

8 cups cubed peeled butternut squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
PUMPKIN SEEDS:
1/3 cup fresh pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
DRESSING:
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • Place squash in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. In a large bowl, combine spinach and cheese; set aside., In a large dry skillet, heat pumpkin seeds over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or just until seeds are golden brown, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Add oil to seeds; toss to coat. Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar and salt. Cook and stir until brown sugar is melted and seeds are coated. Cool on waxed paper., In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. Drizzle over spinach mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter. Top with squash; sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 486mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

WARM PUMPKIN, BLUE CHEESE AND SPINACH SALAD



Warm Pumpkin, Blue Cheese and Spinach Salad image

Very stylish, very easy to make and very delicious; the perfect salad. The pumpkin can be replaced with butternut squash, depending on availablity.

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Spinach

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 small pumpkin, halved, seeded and peeled and cut into 1in cubes (about 2lb)
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 ounces pine nuts
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon corn syrup or 1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon coarse grain mustard
1 pinch light brown sugar
6 ounces Baby Spinach
8 ounces dolcelatte, at room temperature, cubed
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F Place the pumpkin in a roasting tin, drizzle over 2 tbs of the oil, then season generously. Toss until evenly coated and roast for 35-40 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
  • Meanwhile, put the pine nuts in a small roasting tin and place in the oven with the pumpkin for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool.
  • Place the remaining 4 tbs of oil in a large bowl with the vinegar, syrup, mustard, sugar and seasoning. Whisk until well combined and thickened.
  • When the pumpkin is cooked, tip it into the dressing and stir to coat. Fold in the spinach leaves, crumble in the dolcelatte and scatter with the pine nuts. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 288.8, Fat 30.1, SaturatedFat 3.5, Sodium 34.4, Carbohydrate 4.7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 1.2, Protein 3.2

Kick off your culinary journey by selecting the freshest ingredients—a vibrant butternut squash, spinach brimming with life, and juicy pumpkin seeds. These elements form the core of this delectable salad.

To prepare the butternut squash, opt for roasting or steaming methods to accentuate its natural sweetness. Once cooked, allow it to cool before slicing into bite-sized pieces.

Next, prepare the spinach by thoroughly washing and drying the leaves. Baby spinach, with its tender texture, works exceptionally well in this salad.

Combine the roasted butternut squash, spinach, and toasted pumpkin seeds in a spacious bowl. These primary ingredients lay the foundation for a delightful textural contrast.

For the dressing, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until a smooth emulsion forms. The tangy and slightly sweet dressing complements the earthy flavors of the salad.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad, ensuring each leaf and ingredient is evenly coated. Toss gently to distribute the dressing throughout.

As a finishing touch, sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the salad. Its creamy texture and mild flavor add a touch of richness and complexity.

Serve the salad immediately, allowing your taste buds to revel in the symphony of flavors and textures. This dish is a testament to the culinary magic that can be conjured from wholesome ingredients.

Tips:

  • For a delightful twist, try roasting the pumpkin seeds with a sprinkle of chili powder and salt. This adds a subtle heat that complements the sweetness of the butternut squash.
  • Feel free to experiment with different types of vinegar in the dressing. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can offer unique flavor profiles.
  • If goat cheese is not your preference, consider crumbled feta or blue cheese as alternatives that provide distinct flavor dimensions.
  • For a heartier salad, consider adding roasted chickpeas or lentils. These additions provide a boost of protein and fiber.

Conclusion:

This pumpkin-squash-spinach salad is a symphony of flavors and textures, a testament to the culinary magic that can be conjured from wholesome ingredients. With its vibrant colors, contrasting textures, and harmonious flavors, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Whether served as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a delightful vegetarian main course, this salad is sure to impress and inspire. So, gather your ingredients, unleash your culinary creativity, and embark on a journey of taste that will leave you craving for more.

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