Best Pumpkin Salad Recipes

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, POMEGRANATE, AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together squash, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Place whole head of garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tsp. oil, wrap securely in foil and place on baking sheet with squash. Roast, stirring squash occasionally after the first 15 minutes, until squash is golden and tender and garlic is tender, 35-40 minutes. Remove garlic and squash from oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepitas and cook, stirring occasionally, until about half are golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.
• Cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze all of the softened garlic into a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, shallot, 1 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, then whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine kale with about 3/4 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Add more dressing as needed (you may not need all of it). Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.
• Add roasted squash, Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds to bowl; toss together to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
• Do ahead
• Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Squash and garlic can be roasted, and kale can be sliced 1 day ahead; place separately in airtight containers and chill. Salad can be tossed together 30 minutes ahead; keep at room temperature.

BABY SPINACH, AVOCADO, AND PUMPKIN SEED SALAD

Steps:

• Put the spinach leaves and pumpkin seeds into a large salad bowl.
• Halve the avocados and then remove the stones. Spoon out the flesh over the salad leaves and pumpkin seeds.
• Mix the olive oil, lime juice and zest in a small bowl. Add the salt and whisk to emulsify.
• Pour the dressing over the salad, and then gently toss everything together using your hands. Take care not to mush the avocado pieces.

MESA GRILL'S PUMPKIN SOUP WITH MEXICAN CINNAMON CREME FRAICHE AND TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS WITH SPINACH, PEAR AND PANCETTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery and cook until soft. Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain the stock into a clean medium saucepan and whisk in the pumpkin puree until smooth. Bring to a simmer and add the 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, spices, honey and chipotle. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Add water, if the soup is too thick. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/4 cup of the creme fraiche and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix together the remaining creme fraiche and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon until combined. Divide the soup among 4 bowls and garnish with the cinnamon creme fraiche and a handful of pumpkin seeds.
• For the Spinach, Pear and Pancetta Salad: Saute pancetta in skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Pour all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings out. Add shallots and cook until soft. Add vinegar, mustard and thyme; whisk to blend. Add oil and whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm. Combine spinach, pears, red onion and pancetta in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat.

SHAVED CARROT AND RADISH SALAD WITH HERBS AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add pumpkin seeds and cumin and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, and let cool.
• Whisk lemon juice, honey, pepper, and 3/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl until honey dissolves. Slowly whisk in remaining 3 Tbsp. oil until emulsified.
• Toss carrots and radishes with dressing in a large bowl, then fold in herbs, chives, and half of the pumpkin seeds. Top salad with remaining pumpkin seeds. Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary.
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 5 days ahead. Chill in a resealable container.

BBQ SPICED CHICKEN, SALSA SALAD AND PUMPKIN-CHIPOTLE POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Mix spices and sugar in a large plastic food storage bag. Coat chicken with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and add to bag. Coat the chicken evenly in the spices and sugar. Let the chicken hang out a few minutes.
• Chop and combine the tomatoes, bell pepper, onions and grilled pineapple spears.
• Place chicken on grill and cook 6 to 7 minutes on each side.
• Dress the salad with lime and a couple tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Season the salad with cilantro, salt and pepper.
• Heat the stock and milk or half-and-half in a sauce pot with chipotle and adobo sauce. Whisk in the polenta and thicken 2-3 minutes, stir in pumpkin to warm through. Stir in butter and honey and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve polenta with chicken and salsa salad.

MOROCCAN STYLE PUMPKIN AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200c. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
• Combine the pumpkin with the oil and spices in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Place the pumpkin in a single layer on the prepared baking tray and cook in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Turn occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cook the broad beans in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes or until tender. Refresh under cold running water: peel (discard the skins) then set aside.
• Bring the stock to the boil, remove from the heat and add the couscous. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff up with a fork.
• In a large bowl, combine the couscous, pumpkin, broad beans, chickpeas, pine nuts, lemon juice and coriander leaves tossing gently to combine.
• Taste and season. Serve with the yogurt if desired.

SEARED LEMON PEPPER TILAPIA WITH CREAMY PUMPKIN SEED VINAIGRETTE SALAD TOPPED WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS

Steps:

• In food processor, place the vinegar, mustard, shallot, thyme and pasteurized egg yolks. Cover; process until smooth. With the machine running, add the 1 cup pumpkin seed oil and then the 1 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time. If the mixture gets too thick, add the 1 tablespoon ice water. Season with the salt and pepper. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Refrigerate while making tilapia.
• Place the flour, 2 eggs and the bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes. Dip each fillet in flour then in eggs and finally, dredge on both sides in bread crumbs, shaking off the excess.
• Heat 2 skillets over high heat. Divide 3 tablespoons olive oil evenly between skillets. When hot, add the fish; reduce heat to medium, and cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Turn fish and cook on the second side until the fish is done throughout (test with a fork), about 4 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Transfer the fish to 6 individual plates. Garnish with the lemon wedges. Toss the lettuce with a portion of the dressing; divide among plates of fish. Spoon some of the additional dressing over the fish; sprinkle pomegranate seeds over all, and enjoy.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SALAD WITH ORANGE DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Peel and cut pumpkin into 1-in. cubes, reserving the seeds. Place pumpkin cubes in a large bowl. Toss with 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place pumpkin in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; bake until tender, 30-35 minutes., Place seeds on a baking sheet; bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes., Place orange juice, vinegar, shallot, garlic, orange zest and the remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 15-20 minutes. Strain into a small bowl. Gradually whisk in remaining 6 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper until blended., In a large bowl, combine arugula, apricots, cranberries and roasted pumpkin. Sprinkle with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with dressing before serving.

PUMPKIN SEED SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, toast seeds over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add sugar and seasonings. Continue to cook and stir until sugar melts, about 4 minutes. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool., In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until smooth. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, cranberries, cheese and pumpkin seeds. Serve with dressing.

SPICED PUMPKIN, LENTIL, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in small bowl. Cover with cold water and soak 10 minutes; drain.
• Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils. Rinse under cold water, then drain.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pumpkin in large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika, and sea salt. Arrange pumpkin in single layer on baking sheet; roast 20 minutes. Turn pumpkin over. Roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.
• Combine lentils, pumpkin, and oil from baking sheet with arugula, half of goat cheese, mint, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates; sprinkle remaining goat cheese over.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
• ** Sometimes labeled Pimentón Picante or Pimentó de La Vera Picante; available at specialty foods stores and from tienda.com.

PEELED ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH RADISH AND TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Scatter seeds on a sheet pan and place in oven for 6 to 7 minutes or until light brown. Set aside to cool.
• Peel asparagus from just below the top of the stalk, creating long strips. Place the asparagus into a large bowl. Set aside the tops of the asparagus for garnish.
• Remove the stems and roots from the radishes. Slice into thin circles with a knife or mandoline. Place in the large bowl with the asparagus.
• To the asparagus and radish mixture, add the dill, parsley, chives, pea tendrils, lemon juice, ¼ cup olive oil, and toasted pumpkin seeds, adding salt and pepper to taste. Toss.
• Garnish with the reserved asparagus tops and chive flowers, and serve.

FENNEL AND CELERY SALAD WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Combine celery, fennel, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in large bowl. Whisk oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss with vegetables. Toss in most of cheese; top with remaining cheese.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SALAD WITH RADICCHIO, APPLES AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Toss the squash rings with olive oil and salt and bake on a sheet tray in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the squash is soft and starting to caramelize. Repeat this process with the mushrooms. *Hint - these can be done at the same time! Reserve until ready to use.
• Toss together the radicchio, arugula, apple and pumpkin seeds in a medium bowl. Dress with vinegar, olive oil and salt. The salad should be dressed and well seasoned but not soggy.
• To serve: Return the squash and mushrooms to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, just to warm them up. Place a squash ring on a serving plate. Place a handful of the salad inside the ring. Cut the mushrooms into 4 slices and arrange them, fanned, on the side of the salad. Drizzle with pumpkin seed oil.

QUINOA AND CORN SALAD WITH TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Whisk together lime juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir once, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until quinoa is tender but still chewy and has absorbed all liquid, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat. Fluff quinoa with a fork. Place corn kernels on top of quinoa, cover pan, and let stand 5 minutes. Stir corn into quinoa, and transfer to a large bowl to cool.
• Add red pepper, scallions, jalapeño, and cilantro to quinoa mixture, along with 1/2 cup dressing (or to taste); toss until combined. Season with salt, if desired.
• Cut avocado in half lengthwise; remove pit. Peel avocado and thinly slice.
• Line a large serving platter with lettuce leaves. Mound quinoa salad in center. Arrange avocado and lime on the side. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds over salad. Serve immediately.
• nutrition information
• (Per Serving)
• Calories: 504
• Saturated Fat: 5.4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 31.8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Carbohydrates: 39.9g
• Protein: 7.7g
• Sodium: 398mg
• Fiber: 9.4g

WARM PUMPKIN, FETA AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pumpkin in a saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until just tender. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and add onion and garlic and cook for about 5 mins or until onion is soft. Add spinach, nutmeg and cayenne, stirring gently for 1 min or until aromatic. Stir in pumpkin and orange juice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes Stir in feta and almonds.
• Cook bacon in a non-stick pan over medium heat for about 3-5 mins or until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel.
• Serve pumpkin salad warm with bacon pieces sprinkled over.
• This is a 2 person main meal or 4 person side.

QUINOA AND CORN SALAD WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Bring 2 3/4 cups water to boil in a small saucepan and stir in the quinoa and some salt. Return to boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat, place corn kernels on top of quinoa, cover pan, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir corn into quinoa, remove from pan, and spread out on baking sheet to cool for about 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, oil, and salt to taste; set aside.
• Place cooled quinoa and corn, red pepper, cucumber, scallions, jalapeno, and cilantro in large bowl. Add 1/2 cup dressing (or more to taste) and salt to taste; mix until combined.
• Place large lettuce leaves side by side in a circle around a large serving platter so the curly tops extend just beyond the platter rim. Mound quinoa salad in center.
• Arrange tomato, avocado, and lime around quinoa on top of leaves. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds over salad. Serve immediately or hold briefly at room temperature.

MOROCCAN SPICED PUMPKIN & COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C.
• Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
• Combine the pumpkin, oil, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and ginger in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Gently toss until pumpkin is coated in spice mixture.
• Place, in a single layer, on the lined tray. Bake in oven, turning occasionally, for 30 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
• Meanwhile, cook the broad beans in a saucepan of salted boiling water for 5 minutes or until bright green and heated through. Refresh under cold running water. Drain, then remove and discard skins.
• Bring the stock to the boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add the couscous while stirring with a fork. Cover with a lid and set aside for 5 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff with a fork to separate the grains. Transfer to a large bowl and add the pumpkin, broad beans, chickpeas, pine nuts, lemon juice and coriander and gently toss until well combined.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with yoghurt, if desired.

ROAST PUMPKIN, RADICCHIO AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rub pumpkin with vegetable oil, and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until just tender all the way through, about 45 minutes. Remove, cool, cover, and refrigerate until needed. (May be done a day ahead.)
• In a small bowl, combine onion with lime juice, and steep for 15 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, toss pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned; remove from heat, and set aside.
• Add peanut oil and pumpkinseed oil to onion mixture, and mix well. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, feta, radicchio, onion mixture and half the pine nuts. Mix everything gently by hand, and turn out onto a large plate or wide shallow bowl. Garnish with remaining pine nuts, and serve.

PUMPKIN AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220C (200C fan).
• Toss pumpking and unpeeled garlic cloves with 2 tbsp olive oil and place in a single layer in a baking tray.
• Bake for 20 minutes, then remove garlic and turn pumpkin. Bake for a further 20 minutes, or until tender and edges are beginning to brown.
• For dressing, peel roasted garlic and place in a food processor. Add lemon juice and remaining olive oil and whiz to combine. (You can also use the oil from the marinated feta - if there are flavours and not just oil eg. safron and chilli marinated feta).
• Combine warm pumpkin with pine nuts, feta and spinach, then gently toss with dressing. Season to taste and serve.

BUTTERNUT PUMPKIN (SQUASH), ROASTED HAZELNUT AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat fan-forced oven to 230°C /445°F (240°C if not fan forced).
• While the oven is heating, place hazelnuts on to a baking tray, roast for 10-15 minutes until skins crack and nuts are roasted. Wrap in a clean tea towel and rub hazelnuts in tea towel to remove skins. Chop nuts and set aside.
• Line a large roasting pan with non-stick baking paper and arrange the pumpkin in pan, spray with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast, turning once, for 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Cool to room temperature.
• Place dressing ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake well to combine. Remove lid. Microwave on high (100 per cent) for 10 seconds or until honey is melted. Shake again to combine.
• Combine pumpkin, hazelnuts and feta on a serving platter, drizzle with dressing and serve.