WINTER PANZANELLA WITH APPLE DRESSING

Winter Panzanella with Apple Dressing image

Panzanella is my favorite salad, but made with tomatoes. Since good tomatoes are hard to find in the winter, I created this winter version, using roasted butternut squash, apple and cranberries.-Julie Merriman, Cold Brook, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 14 servings (1 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Dash each salt and pepper
1 loaf sourdough bread (1 pound), cut into cubes
2 tablespoons each minced fresh basil, cilantro and mint, divided
1 cup fresh arugula
1 medium apple, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pitted Greek olives, sliced
2 tablespoons lime juice
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
APPLE DRESSING:
1/4 cup chopped peeled apple
2 tablespoons honey, divided
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon apple brandy or apple cider
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Place squash cubes in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and cool., In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon each basil, cilantro and mint. Transfer to a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Set aside., Place the cooled squash, arugula, apple slices, onion, cranberries, olives, lime juice and zest, croutons and remaining herbs in a large bowl., In a small skillet, cook apple in 1 tablespoon each honey and oil over medium heat until apple is softened and caramelized, stirring often. Transfer to a blender., Add the vinegar, brandy, mustard, salt, pepper and remaining honey. Cover and process until pureed. While processing, gradually add remaining oil in a steady stream. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 363mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 5g protein.