Hearty Kale Salad with Kabocha Squash, Pomegranate Seeds, and Toasted Hazelnuts
Gena Hamshaw
Photo by James Ransom
- Serves
- 4-6
I think of this as a perfect winter salad. Creamy kabocha squash adds heft and comfort to the dish, while a tart vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds liven it. You can serve it as a denser appetizer, or as a light meal.
Ingredients
- 1 Large bunch curly kale, stems removed and discarded, torn into bite sized pieces, washed, and spun dry
- 1 Small kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin), halved and seeded and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
- 4 tablespoon Olive oil, divided into 1 tbsp and 3 tbsp
- 3/4 cup Pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup Skinned hazelnuts
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
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Directions
- Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Toss the squash in 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until golden, stopping halfway through to stir.
- Step 2
While squash is roasting, place the hazelnuts in a shallow baking dish (or a pie pan) and toast in the oven for 4-6 minutes, or until they are golden. Check them frequently and remove them the moment they start to get brown. Once they've cooled a little, chop them roughly and set aside.
- Step 3
Whisk together the remaining olive oil, mustard, lemon, maple syrup, sea salt, and pepper. Pour 3 tbsp over the kale to begin with, and "massage" the kale well with your hands, till it's coated in the dressing and taking on a soft, almost wilted texture. Add the remaining dressing as needed and according to tastes. Add pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts.
- Step 4
Once the squash has finished cooking and has cooled for 10-15 minutes, add it to the salad and serve.