Erica's Recipes

because life is short ...and God gave us steak

Navigation
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Hi, I’m Erica
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Recipes / Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

January 7, 2016 By Erica 12 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Serve up the lettuces of the season, like chard, kale, and spinach, fresh sweetened with butternut squash and berries for a Sweet Winter Salad loaded with the vitamin goods.
This post is sponsored.

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

So as I am writing this post …as I am sitting comfy and happy from the holidays …I am dreading tomorrow. Because tomorrow, we return to school-sports-sleep-repeat. Ugg. The holiday break was nice (so. so. nice.), but tomorrow… Uggg.

Not to be a Debbie-downer, but I don’t think I’m alone here. And it is time for me to start really thinking about the terrifying fact that I am registered for Ironman Louisville in October. Holy crap. My first full distance Ironman triathlon. Holy crap. And I admit to total slackage over the holidays too (and loved every minute of it ๐Ÿ˜€) as I mentioned in my post a couple days ago, and I have not worked out in weeks. Which is fine – healthy even, to take the break. But I need to knock it off.

Clearly, this calls for a salad.

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

So if you look in this photo โ†‘, because mac and cheese โœ‹. Vermont White Cheddar specifically. C’mon guys I make all my meals and snacks usually but that isn’t always possible or feasible or approachable, so I need hacks and shortcuts from time-to-time too. And the ingredient profiles in Lean Cuisine’s new line (the Marketplace ones) are actually respectable. A big brand like Lean Cuisine coming out with options that are protein-packed and have organic ingredient options are you kidding me? I am stoked. I have the Sweet Sriracha Braised Beef (15g protein, 18g carbs) stashed in my freezer at work in case of emergency.

All the public clamoring for better food is working folks. You can see the progress in the grocery store. They aren’t perfect, but they sure are a better alternative in a pinch than a fast food run.

Eating real food is finally in. And we all deserve that.

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

And then the salad. First off, a Dijon vinaigrette is just a perfect dressing to make because while light and healthy, it is also so creamy and satisfying because the mustard helps create the emulsion, upping the comfort level. Then we have baby winter greens, sweet raspberries and tender-sweet butternut squash. The tang from the dressing with the sweet squash and berries is fantastic.

Note on the raspberries – I live in Florida, and my store had raspberries on sale this week. If you cannot get raspberries …because it is January (I get it guys. I really do), then just substitute dried cranberries.

And hey, if you browse on down to the recipe …notice I also add carrot and red onion (which, let’s be real, is actually purple.) So we are totally eating a rainbow here.โœŠ

So that is it kids. Get in those greens, eat a rainbow. And have some yummy cheesy pasta on the side. The world is spinning fast and we need to keep up (not really, but I thought that sounded good) …or, better, quick recipes like this Sweet Winter Salad allow us more time to enjoy life. And be healthy doing it too.โ€‹

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries
Print

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

Serve up the lettuces of the season, like chard, kale, and spinach, fresh sweetened with butternut squash and berries for a salad loaded with the vitamin goods.
Course Salad
Cuisine winter greens
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Author Erica

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 1 5 oz container mixed winter super greens, including Swiss chard, spinach, and kale
  • 1 red onion finely diced
  • 4 large carrots finely shredded
  • 1 butternut squash peeled, seeded, and diced (1/2-inch dice)
  • 1 6 oz container raspberries
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper

For the Vinaigrette

  • 1 Tbs + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbs white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 2 pinches fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh snipped chives

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 450F.
  2. Toss the diced butternut squash in a light drizzle of olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 450F for 8-10 minutes or until fork tender and lightly browned. Set aside and cool completely.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Vinaigrette.
  4. To assemble the salad, on each of 4 plates layer in the following order: salad greens, carrot, onion, roasted butternut squash, and raspberries. Drizzle vinaigrette over top and serve. Yields 4 servings.

Recipe Notes

If good, fresh raspberries are not available, substitute with 1/4 cup dried cranberries.

~โœฟโ™ฅโœฟ~โ€‹

Sweet Winter Salad with Butternut Squash and Raspberries

 

I’d love to hear from you! Give me some easy lunch ideas!

Filed Under: Recipes, Salads Tagged With: butternut squash, Lean Cuisine Marketplace, macaroni and cheese, raspberries, vermont white cheddar, winter salad

« Soothing Lemon Ginger Ham and Wild Rice Soup
Mexican Bruschetta »

12
Leave a Reply

This comment form is under antispam protection
12 Comment threads
0 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
12 Comment authors

This comment form is under antispam protection
  Subscribe  
newest oldest most voted
Notify of
Michele

That salad sounds really good. I never thought of roasting up butternut squash-then cooling and adding to a salad-what a great idea. Raspberries are a bit on the very expensive side right now where I am at least–but I also happen to love cranberries! Thank you for the wonderful salad idea!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Dan from Platter Talk

Thanks so much for this delicious winter salad recipe; we just put it on our menu for this cold January weekend!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
lydiaf1963

We’ve been eating pomegranates in many different ways, mostly salads, but I’ve noticed they’re starting to look a little peaked in the markets. Bummer. Raspberries will work, though ๐Ÿ™‚

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Nicole Elliott

Oh yumm!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Like you I was totally bummed about getting back to the work/life/BUSY routine but delicious options like this are making it a little less painful for me, too! ๐Ÿ˜‰ ~ client

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Crystal

I have a quinoa and butternut squash recipe I adore. Normally we add apricots to it, but it led to a conversation with my husband about pairings. This combo sounds awesome!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Nicole Escat

Yummy, I’m sure I would love what it taste and this is healthy at the same. I would love to add this on my diet.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Carrie R

Oooooo… this salad looks so good! Loving all the fresh, bright flavors and colors. ๐Ÿ™‚ And you can’t go wrong pairing it with some healthier mac & cheese!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Sinea

Can I come to your house for dinner? LOL This meal looks awesome. Pinned and yummed, too. Oh, and I think I tweeted it โ™ฅ The photo is gorgeous!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Angela LeMoine

OH Mac & Cheese yes please!!!!! The salad you paired it with is fabulous!!! I love the new line! Tried the mushroom risotto and sesame chicken so far.. thumbs up!!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Patty Haxton Anderson

Oh I love mac and cheese so I need to try this one as well. Entertaining post as well, as usual. The salad is gorgeous too!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
nancy@skinnykitchen.com

What a gorgeous winter salad, Erica!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago
Linda (Meal Planning Maven)

Love the pairing of butternut squash and raspberries Erica! Good luck on your triathlon!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
3 years ago

welcome

Welcome! I'm Erica ...wife, mother, and scientist, passionate about triathlons and pizza. Join me on my quest to enjoy all things food - both healthy and indulgent. After all, life is about balance right?
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Mediterranean Crescent Ring

Copyright © 2019 ยท Foodie Child Theme on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in

wpDiscuz