This warm squash and vegan kale salad comes together with a creamy vegan dressing that screams fall!
About Delicata Squash
I’m sad to say that I’ve gone the majority of my life not knowing that delicata squash existed. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I decided to give it a try. From that moment on, this supreme squash remains THE vegetable I look most forward to eating when fall rolls around!
The sweet almost candy like taste of delicata is superior, in my opinion, to other popular squashes of the season. It's low in calories but has tons of fiber, antioxidants and is high in folate, vit C and potassium.
When you cook delicata squash, the skin becomes soft and edible.
One of my favorite ways to eat this squash is in salads. I’ll roast up a bunch and add them to any mixed greens I have on hand.
How To Cut Delicata Squash
Rinse and pat dry the squash.
Slice off the stem.
Continue to slice down the center, about one inch apart, creating circular pieces. Place the slices on a baking sheet.
Once the entire squash is sliced, you can begin removing the seeds by carefully scraping along the sides with a small pairing knife. Discard seeds and any stringy pieces.
Drizzle the squash with oil and season with a dash of salt. After roasting, you can slice the circles in half or leave them whole depending on your preference.
Massaging Kale is The Key
As you may or may not know, kale is one of those greens that often needs a little bit of coaxing along for it to stand out. It's texture can be off-putting if you don't know how to work with it. In order make a great kale salad you need to massage it first. Sounds funny but it's true. Massaging kale with your hands and a bit of salad dressing softens the leaves and imparts flavor.
Maple Tahini Dressing
This maple apple cider tahini dressing is the perfect fall salad dressing and give the kale leaves just the right pleasing texture. It’s creamy, tangy, slightly sweet and goes perfectly with any fall vegetable or salad. You’ll want to slather it on everything!
Once you’ve massaged some of the dressing in, let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavor and allow it to soften. Now you’re ready to build upon that base.
By keeping it simple, the ingredients really stand out. Pops of color and textures from the sliced purple cabbage and squash really shine in this salad. A sprinkle or two of hemp seeds adds another dimension of nutty flavor.
Feel free to add other delicious ingredients like juicy pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries or any variety of nuts, if you want more complexity. Either way, this vegan kale salad is perfect for lunch, dinner or as a festive holiday starter.
Make Ahead and Time Saving Tips
You can slice and prepare the squash ahead of time and just roast in the oven when you are ready.
You can also make the dressing ahead of time, making sure to refrigerate it afterwards. Take the dressing out about at least 30 minutes prior to use, so it can come to room temperature. If you forget to do that, you can simply add a few drops of very warm water and whisk together to help thin it out a bit.
To save additional time, you can buy store bought pre-washed kale and sliced cabbage.
If you like this salad you may also enjoy my Kale Salad with Pomegranate Dressing.
Delicata & Kale Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 delicata squash (sliced as described above with seeds and stringy pieces discarded)
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup sliced purple cabbage
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- maple tahini salad dressing see recipe below
- pinch coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- In a small bowl whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing (see recipe card below).
- In a larger bowl, add the kale and a few spoonfuls of the dressing. Massage the kale with your fingers until all leaves are coated and begin to wilt slightly. Set aside.
- Place the squash on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil and salt.
- Roast for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
- Add the roasted squash and cabbage to the salad.
- Toss with additional salad dressing.
- Sprinkle with hemp seeds and serve.
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Nutrition
I prefer to focus on quality ingredients from a variety of sources that work in tandem to promote optimal health. Nutrition calculations may not reflect these valuable interactions. However, I understand certain values can be helpful to some. Please note these calculations are merely estimates. Values will vary depending on modifications, brands used, and portion size. Should you require specific information, it's best to consult with a dietitian or qualified healthcare provider.
Maple Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ¼ cup warm water or more if needed
- 2½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- coarse salt
- pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together all the ingredients and add to your favorite vegetables or salads.
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Nutrition
I prefer to focus on quality ingredients from a variety of sources that work in tandem to promote optimal health. Nutrition calculations may not reflect these valuable interactions. However, I understand certain values can be helpful to some. Please note these calculations are merely estimates. Values will vary depending on modifications, brands used, and portion size. Should you require specific information, it's best to consult with a dietitian or qualified healthcare provider.
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