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Kid-Approved Fall Harvest Salad with Easy Maple Vinaigrette

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A sweet and savory fall salad featuring roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and a homemade maple vinaigrette. Perfect for family meals and picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed into ½-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and diced
  • 5 oz fresh baby spinach
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Peel and cube butternut squash into ½-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
  3. While squash roasts, make the vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, combine ¼ cup maple syrup, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, minced garlic, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp pepper. Shake or whisk until well combined. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste.
  4. Core and dice apples into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop pecans. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, if desired.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine baby spinach, roasted squash (cooled slightly), diced apples, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta (if using). Drizzle about half the vinaigrette over the top.
  6. Toss gently with hands or salad tongs until evenly coated. Add more dressing as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

Roast squash in a single layer for best caramelization. Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Make dressing ahead for better flavor. Store dressing separately from salad to prevent sogginess. For meal prep, keep components separate and assemble fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall harvest salad, maple vinaigrette, butternut squash salad, kid-friendly salad, easy fall salad

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/kid-approved-fall-harvest-salad-with-easy-maple-vinaigrette/