Best Squash Salad Recipes

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD WITH WARM CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the butternut squash on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
• While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
• Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

SUMMER SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• Thinly slice zucchini, squash, red pepper and onion; place in a large bowl. Add snap peas. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over vegetables; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 3 hours.

ROASTED BEET, BUTTERNUT SQUASH & APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange two oven racks evenly spaced.
• Place the beets on a sheet pan, toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and spread out in one layer. On a second sheet pan, toss the butternut squash and apples with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and spread out in one layer. Roast both pans of vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing occasionally, until everything is tender and lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, for the vinaigrette, heat 1/3 cup olive oil in a small saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the shallot and cook for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Over low heat, whisk in the balsamic vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, honey, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Keep warm.
• Place the roasted vegetables and fruit in a large bowl. Add the arugula and vinaigrette and toss well. Sprinkle with the almonds and serve warm.

SUMMER SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the zucchini, squash and radishes. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Pour over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If desired, top with additional snipped fresh parsley.

REFRESHING SUMMER SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Toss yellow squash and zucchini with salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk mint, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper in a small bowl; pour over squash mixture. Toss to coat.
• Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat; cook and stir prosciutto in the hot skillet until crisp, about 2 minutes.
• Divide squash salad over 4 plates. Evenly sprinkle prosciutto and feta cheese over salads.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI AND SUMMER SQUASH SALAD WITH BASIL-PARMESAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place zucchini and crookneck squash on large baking sheet; brush all over with 3 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill vegetables until tender and brown, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to plate and cool.
• Cut vegetables diagonally into 1-inch-wide pieces. Place in large bowl. Add basil, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drizzle the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread into an even layer on a baking sheet and roast until light golden brown and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse the farro and place in a medium saucepot. Add 2 cups water, the cider, bay leaves and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, 15 to 30 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, Dijon, honey and orange zest and juice in a large bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Add the farro, roasted squash, arugula, parsley, pistachios and Parmesan and toss until everything is well incorporated. Once everything is combined, taste for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve at room temperature.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the pine nuts in a small skillet over low heat and slowly toast them, stirring, until they're golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside off heat.
• To prepare the butternut squash, cut off the top and bottom, then use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the hard skin. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Slice the squash into sticks and then slice the sticks into cubes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over low heat. Skim off as much of the foam as you can. Put the squash in a bowl and pour in the melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, shaking the baking sheet once or twice during roasting, 25 to 30 minutes. Crank up the heat to 400 degrees F and roast until the squash is sizzling and golden brown around the edges, another 15 minutes or so. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes, then add the Parmesan and toss together. Toss in the pine nuts.
• Mix the olive oil with the balsamic in a bowl and sprinkle in a little salt and pepper. Put the salad greens in a serving bowl and toss with half the dressing. Add the squash mixture and lightly toss it in. Serve the extra dressing on the side. Top with additional Parmesan if desired.

ROASTED BEET AND WINTER SQUASH SALAD WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Roast the beets. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the greens off of the beets, leaving about 1/2 inch of the stems attached. Scrub the beets and place in a baking dish or ovenproof casserole. Add about 1/4 inch water to the dish. Cover tightly with a lid or foil, and bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the beets are tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. If not using right away, refrigerate in a covered bowl
• Line another roasting pan with foil or parchment and brush with olive oil. Peel the squash and cut in 1/2-inch thick slices. Toss with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and salt to taste and place on the baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until lightly browned and tender. You can do this at the same time that you roast the beets, but watch carefully if you need to put the baking sheet on a lower shelf. Remove from the heat and allow to cool
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil while you stem and wash the greens. Add salt to the water, and blanch the greens for 1 minute or until tender. Transfer the greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out the water. Chop coarsely
• Mix together the vinegars, garlic, salt, pepper, the remaining olive oil and the walnut oil. When the beets are cool enough to handle, trim the ends off, slip off their skins, cut in half, then slice into half-moon shapes. Toss with half the salad dressing. In a separate bowl, toss the roasted squash with the remaining dressing
• Place the greens on a platter, leaving a space in the middle. Arrange the beets and squash in alternating rows in the middle of the platter. Sprinkle on the fresh herbs and the walnuts. If desired, sprinkle on crumbled feta. Serve

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, POMEGRANATE, AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together squash, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Place whole head of garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tsp. oil, wrap securely in foil and place on baking sheet with squash. Roast, stirring squash occasionally after the first 15 minutes, until squash is golden and tender and garlic is tender, 35-40 minutes. Remove garlic and squash from oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, until about half are golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.
• Cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze all of the softened garlic into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, shallot, 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, then whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine kale with about 3/4 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Add more dressing as needed (you may not need all of it). Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.
• Add roasted squash, Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds to bowl; toss together to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
• Do ahead
• Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Squash and garlic can be roasted, and kale can be sliced 1 day ahead; place separately in airtight containers and chill. Salad can be tossed together 30 minutes ahead; keep at room temperature.

QUINOA, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Add butternut squash and zucchini; toss until coated. Place butternut squash and zucchini onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven, tossing once half way through, until soft, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven; cool.
• Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Combine remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, butternut squash, zucchini, quinoa, kale, parsley, raisins, red onion, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a bowl; toss until salad is combined.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute the squash, chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt in 2 teaspoons oil until tender, 11-13 minutes. Set aside; keep warm., In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 4-6 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Stir in the wine, cranberry sauce, remaining oil and remaining salt. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute longer. , Place spinach on a serving platter; top with onion, cranberries and squash mixture. Drizzle with warm dressing. Sprinkle with almonds, goat cheese and, if desired, pepper. Serve immediately.

SWEET & SOUR SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• For dressing, whisk first 6 ingredients until sugar is dissolved. Place vegetables in a large bowl; toss with dressing., Refrigerate, covered, until cold. Serve with a slotted spoon.

BALSAMIC ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND WILD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the wild rice. Bring the water or stock to a boil in a medium saucepan, add salt to taste and the rice. Bring back to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, until the rice is tender and has begun to splay. Drain through a strainer, return to the pot and cover the pot with a clean dishtowel. Return the lid to the pot and let sit for 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the squash in a bowl or directly on the baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, the balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread on the baking sheet in an even layer and make sure to tip all of the liquid remaining in the bowl over the squash. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so that the squash browns evenly. The squash should be tender all the way through. Remove from the heat
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, salt to taste and mustard. Whisk in the remaining olive oil and the walnut oil
• Combine the wild rice, squash, herbs and celery in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Line a platter, individual plates or a wide salad bowl with the baby spinach or arugula. Top with the salad and serve

SPAGHETTI SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place squash, cut side down, in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Fill pan with hot water to a depth of 1/2 in. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until tender. When cool enough to handle, scoop out the squash, separating strands with a fork. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl; add the squash and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with a slotted spoon as a salad or as a relish with burgers and hot dogs. Store in the refrigerator.

SQUASH, FETA & BULGUR SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Place the squash on a baking sheet and toss with the harissa and some seasoning. Roast for 30 mins or until golden and tender.
• Put the bulgur wheat in a saucepan, cover with boiling water, then cook for 15 mins, drain and cool. Put half the lime juice in a small bowl and add the onion. Leave to sit for 5 mins, then add to the bulgur wheat along with the feta, cooled squash, coriander and spinach.
• In a frying pan, toast the pumpkin seeds for 3-4 mins or until they start popping in the pan. Remove, chop 2 tbsp of the seeds and put in a bowl. Pour the rest over the salad. Add the remaining lime juice to the chopped seeds, with the oil, and seasoning. Mix and pour over the salad.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH BALSAMIC ROAST SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, ginger, turmeric, onion, water, and salt to taste in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook at a moderate bubble until the lentils have softened and produced a flavorful broth, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat. Remove the onion and discard. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain the lentils.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. If using cut up squash, place in a bowl or directly on the baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, the balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread on the baking sheet in an even layer and make sure to tip all of the liquid remaining in the bowl over the squash. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so that the squash browns evenly. The squash should be tender all the way through. Remove from the heat. If using acorn squash, spoon a tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar into both cavities, season with salt, brush with olive oil, and place cut side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until thoroughly tender. Remove from the heat and when cool enough to handle remove the skin and cut the squash into dice.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together the vinegars, mustard, salt and pepper, olive oil, and walnut oil. Toss with the lentils and return to the saucepan. Add a few tablespoons of the lentil broth, stir in the parsley and heat through.
• Place the squash in the middle of a wide bowl or serving platter, surround with the lentil salad and serve.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD AND KALE SUMMER ROLLS WITH FETA CHEESE AND AVOCADO GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Steps:

• For the squash: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the squash in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with the chile flakes and a good amount of salt. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray and roast until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove and refrigerate until needed.
• For the dressing: Combine the anchovies, avocado, garlic, parsley, scallions, cilantro and 1/8 cup water in food processor or blender and puree. Add the mayo, chile juice, lemon juice and salt and puree again until combined. This can be done the day before.
• For the kale salad: Place the kale into a mixing bowl with 2 tablespoons of the dressing and squeeze lightly with your hands to soften the tough leaves. Add the arugula, feta, half the pumpkin seeds and half the pomegranate seeds and taste for seasoning, adding salt if needed.
• To serve: Fill a mixing bowl with warm water and soak 1 piece of rice paper until pliable, but not entirely soft (10 to 15 seconds). Lay it flat on a clean work surface, ensuring that it sticks to the surface. Continue until you have 4 to 6 wrappers stuck to the surface.
• Place a strip of roasted butternut squash across each wrapper, 2 inches from the bottom of each wrapper. On top of the strips, lay some of the dressed kale salad, using your hands to form a log-shaped pile. Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper up and the sides in against the filling. Roll up to the top edge, pulling back to tighten the roll as you make them (this is the reason you want the wrapper actually stuck to the surface, it will allow you to get more tension while rolling). Place a damp towel over the rolls (this will keep them moist and soft) and repeat until you have 16 rolls made. These can be assembled up to 1 hour before the guests arrive.
• Slice the rolls into 3 to 4 pieces so that they look like sushi and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle with the remaining pumpkin seeds and pomegranate seeds and serve with a ramekin of the avocado green goddess dressing as a dipping sauce.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH & RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, oil and salt. Add squash; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased, foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Cool completely., Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions. Remove from heat; cool completely., In a large bowl, combine red peppers, pine nuts, green onions, dill, parsley, squash and rice. In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Serve at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, KALE AND FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Put the squash and red onion on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss with your hands to coat well and spread out on the baking sheet so they don't steam. Roast, tossing halfway through, until the squash is fork-tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the raisins in a shallow bowl and pour the vinegar over them. Soak, tossing them every now and then, for at least 15 minutes. Drain the vinegar into another small bowl, pressing down on the raisins to squeeze as much vinegar out as possible. Add mustard, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste to the vinegar. Drizzle in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Whisk until thick and emulsified. Set aside.
• To assemble the salad, in a large bowl, add the farro, chicken, cheese, walnuts, raisins, squash and red onions, kale, dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss together until evenly coated with dressing. This is one of those salads that gets better as it sits.