Pumpkin Salad

Cuisine: Australian

Cook Time: 40 Minutes

Serves: 2

This pumpkin salad recipe features earthy flavors, colors, and textures and is a great side dish, or a complete meal on its own. The autumnal salad combines roasted pumpkin with salty and creamy goat cheese, earthy pine nuts, and peppery rocket. Just a light drizzle of olive oil is all that it needs.

500 gm pumpkin (Butternut or Kent)
1-2 tbsp olive oil
250 gm rocket/arugula leaves
¼ cup roasted and crushed walnuts
¼ cup pine seeds
¼ cup sunflower seeds
2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
50 gm goat cheese
Salt and pepper, for seasoning

‘tis the season for all things pumpkin!

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Carve the pumpkin and cut it into small pieces.
Toss the pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast the pumpkin in the oven for 20 minutes, or till the color changes to golden and slightly crisp on the edges. Turn the pumpkin pieces halfway and roast for another 5 minutes.
Toast the pine nuts in a skillet without oil until golden (medium heat). Remove the nuts as soon as they release their nutty aroma.
Make the dressing by combining Balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, little olive oil, and honey.
Place the rocket leaves in a bowl and add a bit of dressing. Toss well.
Add pumpkin, goat cheese, and pine nuts. Toss lightly.
Transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle with remaining dressing just before eating. Enjoy!

Chef Tip: Change it up with extra roasted veggies or your favorite add-ins, such as feta, spinach, or even some quinoa. You can also pour some maple syrup over the pumpkin pieces before roasting for an added touch of sweetness.

This salad is a perfect appetizer, lunch, backyard barbecue, or special occasion dish!

Quick Bites

Fun Fact

• I dare you to name one part of the pumpkin plant that is not edible.

• The squash blossoms or pumpkins flowers are used in salads and soups and numerous regional dishes, the seeds and leaves are also consumed in many countries for the taste and health benefits along with the fruit itself.

Historical Fact

• North America is believed to be the origin of pumpkins. Evidence of pumpkin seeds in Mexico dates back to 7000 to 5500 BC.

• There is mention of pumpkin as a part of a regular diet of the Ancient Romans making it a plausible time for the invention of pumpkin salads.

Nutrition Fact

• Pumpkin salad is your ultimate addition to a weight loss diet.

• Pumpkins are rich in vitamin A and antioxidants that help you prevent chronic diseases, they have compounds that promote healthy skin and are packed with vitamins that boost immunity and improve eyesight.