Pumpkin (Squash) & Spinach Salad

Rhiannon and Matt's Note:

Gourmet pizzas call for a special side salad - this nutty number goes well. Notes & tips: Prep: 10 mins (+ 30 mins cooling time) You can prepare this recipe to the end of step 6 up to 2 hours ahead. Continue from step 7 just before serving. Source: Australian Good Taste magazine - November 2006

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 600 g butternut pumpkin, deseeded, peeled, cut into wedges
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus extra
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarse grain mustard
• 1 (150 g) packet baby spinach leaves
• 75 g pine nuts, toasted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 220°C.
2. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
3. Place the pumpkin in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Gently toss until the pumpkin is well coated.
4. Place in a single layer on the lined tray. Bake, turning once during cooking, for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with the sesame seeds. Return to oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the seeds are lightly toasted. Remove from oven and set aside for 30 minutes to cool.
6. Combine the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, mustard and extra honey in a screw-top jar and shake until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Place the pumpkin, spinach and pine nuts in a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing and gently toss until just combined.
8. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[Wendys Kitchen]

I made this for a brithday party. Instead of using a dressing I caramlised onions and added caramelised almonds. It was a big hit and was the only salad that was demolished.

[Chef floWer]

Delicious and very easy to make, I didn't change a thing in this recipe, everything was perfect. I love the sweetness of the pumpkins and the different textures, the crisp spinach added to the salad and the dressing was yummy. I think next time I will cook the pumpkin for about 20 mins or less as it was a little brown but still tasted yummy. Thank you Rhiannon&Matt.gauci