Fresh Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Salad

Made with raw butternut squash and juicy pomegranate arils, this fresh autumn salad is tangy and vibrant for the fall season. Furthermore, it’s a great salad for meal prep, quick sides, and brunches. Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Whole 30.

Full disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

This fresh autumn salad may have come to me in a dream. My mother-in-law swears she has never made this salad. However, I distinctly remember its gorgeous color and how fresh it tasted when she brought it to my house. Maybe it was a dream. Either way, I’m happy this recipe is in my life. The vibrant colors make it a kid pleaser, and great for any season, but especially fall when butternut squash is at it’s peak. I use it as a side and have even dropped a spoonful or two into butternut squash soup as a fresh topping.

HEALTH TALK

Please take my advice like you do from a friend, not your doctor as I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. I am just someone with a passion for health and cooking and my hope is to bring you information that will help you live a health-filled life.

This fresh autumn salad full of butternut squash and pomegranate is delicious and packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Plus it’s Gluten Free, Vegan, and all ingredients are Whole 30 approved. A single 3/4 cup serving offers 90% of your daily value (DV) Vitamin A, 43%DV Vitamin C, and 15%DV fiber.

Furthermore, Pomegranates are high in immune-boosting vitamin C and antioxidants. They may have cancer fighting properties, and have been shown to reduce inflammation, helping to fight a variety of diseases. And butternut squash is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin A. For additional reading on the health benefits of pomegranates and butternut squash, check out the resources at the bottom of this post.

HOW TO MAKE A FRESH BUTTERNUT SQUASH & POMEGRANATE SALAD

Peel, Clean, and Cut Squash. First peel the butternut squash. Slice off the top and bottom, then place the flat cut-side down on a cutting board and use a peeler or paring knife to skin the squash. Then, cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. If there’s enough seeds, rinse them and set aside to roast later with a little sea salt at 375° for about 35-45 min for a nice salty crunchy snack. Cut the squash into 1-2 inch pieces – try to get them roughly the same size so that they get chopped in the food processor evenly. Place the squash in a food processor (about ¼ to half a squash at a time) and pulse until the pieces are small but not pureed, think the size of dried black beans.

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Dice the Onion. Next, Peel and quarter the onion, then chop finely. Quarter the onion first so that you can add it to the butternut squash in small quantities, until the taste is to your liking.

Prep the Pomegranate. First, using a paring knife open the pomegranate by first slicing a surface (very thin) cut all around the pomegranate, then rotate the fruit and do similar cut, creating an X at either end of the pomegranate. Now, using two hands, pull the fruit apart. At this point, the pomegranate should open easily. Lastly, remove the arils with your fingers or for a quick method, hold the fruit above a large bowl and whack the skin side of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon until all the fruit is in the bowl. Pick out any yellow parts as they are bitter.

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Chop Cilantro. I chop the cilantro finely. When pressed on time, throw it into the processor towards the end.

Combine All Ingredients.

Squeeze Lemon & Add Oil. Start with just a ¼ of the lemon zest, and add more if necessary. Squeeze the juice from the entire lemon. Add 2 Tablespoons oil.

Add Salt & Pepper. Start with a pinch of salt and ½ tsp of freshly ground pepper, then season to taste.

Serve cold or room temp. Enjoy!

VARIATIONS

Make it spicy by adding a little cayenne pepper or dice a serrano chili. Try swapping parsley with the cilantro or mint for a different taste profile.

Try something new and let me know about it in the comments.

EQUIPMENT:

FYI, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Large Mixing Bowl
Food Processor – this 14 Cup Cuisinart works great
Mixing Spoon
Juicer – Or just use your hands
Paring Knife – I love the Victorinox 4”
Peeler – The Alessi “Sfrido” peeler is beautiful and functional

Print

ADDITIONAL READING

Furthermore, for additional reading on the health benefits of butternut squash and pomegranate, check out these great resources:

WebMD, Pomegranate: Usage, side effects, interactions…
Healthline, 12 Health Benefits of Pomegranate