Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Servings 4

Equipment

  • Sheet pan
  • Small saucepan or skillet
  • Small bowl
  • Large Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds Butternut squash peeled and diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 Tbsp Bacon Up® Bacon Grease for roasting squash
  • 2 Tbsp Pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tsp Kosher salt and more to taste
  • 1/2 Tsp Freshly ground black pepper and more to taste
  • 1/4 Cup Dried cranberries
  • 1/2 Cup Apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 Tbsp Cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Minced shallots
  • 2 Tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Bacon Up melted, for dressing
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil combine with Bacon Up for dressing
  • 4 Oz Baby arugula washed and spun dry
  • 1/2 Cup Walnut halves toasted
  • 2 Oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F and position rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Place the squash (peeled and diced) on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons of Bacon Up to the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper; 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 or skillet set over medium heat. Simmer until the mixture has reduced by half.
  • To a small bowl, add mustard and hot cider mixture; whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly stream in the Bacon Up and olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • To a large bowl add arugula, roasted squash mixture and walnuts. Top with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the ingredients and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Notes

Recipe variations:
• Try out a variety of winter squashes instead of butternut. Many varieties (such as acorn and delicata) don’t need to be peeled.
• Substitute your favorite nut or seed for walnuts.
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