Festive Delicata Squash Kale Salad with Miso Tahini Dressing

This festive delicata squash kale salad with a citrusy miso tahini dressing is perfect for the holidays! Winter citrus, pomegranate, avocado, and cashews are tossed with kale, roasted cinnamon paprika squash, and orange miso tahini dressing in this colourful salad.

Happy Monday to you all! Did you have a great weekend? I hope so. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, my weekend was filled with decorating the Christmas tree, gingerbread lattes, cheese boards, and lots and lots of rest. ‘Twas delightful! I definitely fell behind on some Pinterest stuff (it’s amazing how much time one has to spend on behind the scenes computer work to drive traffic to one’s food blog), but that’s okay! To me, December is all about embracing quality time with friends and family, good food, and getting ourselves into a good headspace for the new year. I am planning to make some big changes in my life come 2022, so I am being intentional about how I spend my time and energy this month.

However, I have still been developing new recipes whenever I can. That, along with working out, is my therapy! I really loved this roasted delicata squash kale salad with citrus miso tahini dressing that I made a couple of weeks ago, so here it is now for you all to try!

This salad has a lot going on, and yet it somehow works! We have roasted delicata squash, seasoned with smoked paprika, cinnamon, and hot red pepper flakes… plus kale, avocado, pomegranate, orange and/or grapefruit, roasted cashews, and a unique dressing.

The miso citrus tahini dressing gives this salad an Asian flair. The miso was a last minute decision, yet so essential in making this salad great! If you cannot find miso, that’s fine, too. Just use tamari instead.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• Seasonal
• Full of flavour
• Colourful
• Crowd pleasing
• Plant-based, so everyone around your dinner table can enjoy it.

EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED

• Large rimmed baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Salad bowl
• A jar to mix up the dressing
• Cutting board

FESTIVE DELICATA SQUASH KALE SALAD INGREDIENTS AND NOTES

• Delicata squash: I love the sweet flavour of delicata squash, and the fact that you don’t have to peel it. If delicata squash is unavailable, use butternut or acorn squash.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: For both the squash and the salad dressing.
• Spices: Smoked paprika, cinnamon, and hot red pepper flakes.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Kale: I used red kale, but green kale and lacinato kale will also work.
• Avocado
• Pomegranate
• Orange and/or grapefruit: I used half an orange and half a grapefruit.
• Roasted cashews: Roast raw cashews on a baking sheet at 325 F for 10-15 minutes.
• Tahini
• Freshly squeezed orange juice
• Freshly squeezed lime juice
• Orange and lime zest
• Miso: I used dark miso, but white miso would also be good. Use tamari if miso is unavailable.
• Garlic
• Honey: If vegan, use maple syrup.
• Fresh ginger

how to make this recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the squash into ½-inch thick slices. Place in the middle of the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle on the spices and a pinch each salt and pepper. Toss to coat and spread out in an even layer. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until tender. Let cool.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the salad and dressing. Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. To make the dressing place all ingredients in a jar, secure the lid, and shake vigorously to combine. Pour half of the dressing over the kale and use your hands to massage it into the leaves. Add more dressing, if desired.
3. Add the remaining salad ingredients, including the roasted squash, and toss to coat. If desired, reserve some squash, avocado, citrus fruit, pomegranate, and cashews for garnishing.

Serving Ideas

I would recommend serving this salad with any of my veggie burgers, such as these Beluga Lentil Burgers or these Mediterranean Lentil Burgers. It would also pair beautifully with pasta, chicken, or fish.

More Wintery Salad Recipes to Try

• Beet Kale Salad with Gouda, Pomegranate, and Apple
• Roasted Beet and Broccoli Salad with Green Tahini Dressing
• Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Tahini Harissa Yogurt Dressing
• Chickpea Brown Rice Broccoli Salad with Balsamic Tahini Dressing
• Roasted Brussels Sprout + Butternut Squash Salad with Halloumi, Dates + Orange Tahini Dressing

I hope that you love this festive delicata squash kale salad with citrus miso tahini dressing! If you make it, let me know how you enjoyed it. Leave a comment and rating below the post. For more wholesome recipes, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Print