SHAVED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH DATES

Shaved Butternut Squash With Dates image

Shaved slivers of raw butternut squash make for a surprisingly refreshing and crisp salad. Here, it is served with a dressing of tangy buttermilk, sweet dates and crunchy pumpkinseeds. Look for a small, fresh butternut squash, preferably one with a long neck, which makes it easy to shave.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories salads and dressings, vegetables, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds young butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon), more as needed
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Pinch of granulated sugar
Fine sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup dates, pitted and roughly chopped
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons toasted pumpkinseeds

Steps:

Cut the squash into 2-inch chunks. Using a mandoline or vegetable peeler, shave the chunks into thin slivers.
Place squash shavings in large bowl and add lemon zest and juice, olive oil and sugar. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Macerate for 10 minutes, or until shavings tenderize (this could take up to 30 minutes, and once tender you can hold them for up to 6 hours). Toss with dates and season to taste with more salt and lemon juice.
Pour buttermilk into a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Smear the buttermilk on a serving platter and top with shaved mixture. Sprinkle with pumpkinseeds.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 169, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 354 milligrams, Sugar 16 grams