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Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-7

I don’t know about you guys but, I’m feeling heavy, full, over comforted. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can get to be too much. Our Arctic blast here in Colorado, left the State with below freezing, negative digit temperatures. Oh, it was cold, very cold. We were waking up to -11℉ (-24℃) and it was only warming up to like 3℉. It was pretty insane. I know there are colder places on this Earth but when you’re used to the sun shining and pretty nice temperatures even during winter, it’s a bit of a shock!

pomegranate

Of course, salad was not on the menu. Our bodies were rebelling against everything cold and so, I was making a lot of carb laden, warming foods. Most of the time it was spicy Indian curries so the spices would warm us up or stew and chilli like dinners.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-2

Finally, our temperature is back into the double digits and we’re enjoying a balmy 34℉ (1℃) these days. After 10 days of over whelming, heavy foods, I made a refreshingly light dinner the other night. It still had some carbs to fuel us and spices to keep us warm, but it was a nice, light variation.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-3

I don’t know if it was the change of pace or the fact that it really was good, but I really enjoyed every bite of my Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad. It was incredibly delicious, spicy and filling. The vegetables were roasted with the Moroccan spice mix; Ras el Hanout, Harissa and olive oil. The smell of the vegetables roasting gave me a great preview of what I was to enjoy. They smelled heavenly.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-5

A generous handful of pomegranate arils, some salad leaves and a drizzle of Harissa vinaigrette completed the salad. To boost up the protein, I did serve ours with some baked chicken breast and a fried egg on top. Let me tell you, the fried egg; great addition. I enjoyed that better than the chicken. So this salad is versatile enough to be vegan, vegetarian or non vegetarian. I liked all the variations; and don’t forget the pomegranate, it adds amazing texture and fresh flavour with the spicy roasted squash and sweet potatoes.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-6

I am sure this can be made with different winter squash and sweet potatoes. I wanted the deep, golden, colour of the butternut with the white, sweet potatoes. All I can say is that you must make this salad, especially with the Moroccan spices. I can’t emphasise how great it is, and if you are a winter squash lover, you will be in heaven.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad-1 

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Salad

Serves: 6 servings

A light but filling Moroccan winter salad with colourful roasted squash, potatoes and pomegranate.
Ingredients
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced, medium chunks
  • 3 or 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, medium chunks
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout spice mix
  • 2 tablespoons Harissa, homemade or store bought
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 pomegranate, peeled and deseeded
  • 12 cups salad leaves, I used a spring mix
  • 6 eggs, organic, fried or poached, optional
  • Harissa Vinaigrette
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃.
  2. Mix the extra virgin olive oil, harissa and Ras el Hanout together in a large bowl.
  3. Toss in the cubed butternut squash and sweet potatoes and mix around till well coated.
  4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  5. Spread out onto a baking sheet and place in the oven.
  6. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until soft and golden brown.
  7. On individual serving plates, add about 2 cups of salad leaves.
  8. Place the roasted butternut squash and sweet potatoes on top.
  9. Add the fried or poached egg on top and scatter the pomegranate arils over the plate.
  10. Drizzle with the harissa vinaigrette.
Notes
You can use any winter squash or sweet potato that you like. I liked the deep colour of the butternut and the taste of the white sweet potatoes. The pomegranate adds a burst of colour and flavour.
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Hope everyone is keeping warm, or cool for those of you who are in the Southern Hemisphere. Christmas is just around the corner, have you all done your Christmas shopping? I know the baking is coming along since I see such wonderful confections everyday. Have a great rest of the week and weekend! Happy baking!


Comments

  2. Hello, Nazneen! I waited until today to post this comment because we made this salad on Sunday and I wanted to tell you how much we loved it! Every bite! And I especially loved the egg on top. We had a lot of leftover pomegranate seeds so I was looking for fun ways to use them – and this recipe popped into my box! Thanks for th4e inspiration AND for a great supper! Hope your weather warms up! (P.S. – I used half a small pumpkin instead of the butternut… maybe not as perfect as butternut but it was good! We ate the leftovers last night with some fresh ricotta cheese on top – also good!)
    David recently posted..The Big QuestionMy Profile

    • Oh thank you, David!! You made my day with your comment and made me smile early in the morning 🙂 You are a sweetheart and thank you so much for letting me know.

  5. We’re not even into Winter yet, Nazneen, and we, too, have experienced below 0 temps. What will Winter bring? This is such a gorgeous salad. I was admiring each picture as I read your narrative. Then, from nowhere, is the picture of the same salad but with an egg on top. Wow! I love a salad topped off with an egg. Magic happens when a yolk mixes with dressing. Thanks for sharing a really great recipe.
    ChgoJohn recently posted..Egg-Filled RavioliMy Profile

    • Thanks John! It’s fun how much you can tolerate after constantly being in it. Now 20 degrees is nothing! Thank you for the comment!

  7. This salad looks super delicious and great spices as well. What is in Ras el Hanout spice mix? Pomegranates are so good for you and now with the season changes it is best to build up our immunity against the flu and cold season. Take care, BAM
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Cranberry Spiced Holiday BallsMy Profile

    • Thanks Bam. The spices added a nice warmth and the harissa had a nice kick. Ras el Hanout is a mixture of caraway, cumin, coriander and some other spices. I need to check the box! I’m sure it’s easy to make your own blend. I just buy it because it’s easily available!

    • Thank you so much! It’s warming up a bit now and has been very nice and sunny the last few days. Thank you for the comment.

  9. Yes, I totally have been overindulging lately and could really do with something like this for dinner. It looks absolutely beautiful, and with the egg in there, I bet this would be quite satisfying too.
    I hope you are having a lovely weekend and enjoying your nice (LOL) weather.
    *kisses* H

  10. Nazneen, a very colorful, healthy and delilcious winter salad with just the right balance of warm spices and freshness from the pomegranate seeds – just the kind os salad that I would make myself! Wonderful all around, dear friend!
    By the way, it is raining here and (thankfully) the temperatures are not bad!
    All the very best and have a fabulous weekend!
    TheKitchenLioness recently posted..FFwD: Mme. Maman´s Chopped LiverMy Profile

    • Thank you Andrea! The spices and the warm heat of harissa made for a very flavourful salad. I don’t mind the cold temperatures but what we experienced was pretty drastic and when you’re not used to that exteme, it was pretty hard! Hope you’re having a great weekend.

  13. Even though the highs each day are in the teens with snow on the ground and another foot on the way, I still enjoy salads as an evening meal. I make a similar salad but I can’t wait to try your version with the spices and the egg on top, it sounds delicious.
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Tiffany Snowflake CookiesMy Profile

    • Thanks Karen! I envy those who can eat salad any time, I have such a hard time during the winter months 🙂

  15. What a lovely salad, Nazneen and I’m so sorry to hear it’s been so cold. Those temperatures are unbelievable to me – it doesn’t get lower than about 10C here and that would be very, very rare and only at night. I don’t own anything that would keep me warm – no gloves, hats, jackets, coats, thermals etc. I’m pleased to hear the temperatures are now ‘balmy’ but I would find zero degrees to be very, very severe xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..A Summer Christmas PartyMy Profile

    • Thanks Charlie! I find the fact that our worlds are so far apart so fascinating! I can’t believe you don’t own any cold weather stuff! Amazing! But looks her you love, it’s so gorgeous in its own right. I’d love to visit Australia…one day!

  16. The arctic blast sounds too cold, sending you some warm hugs from here. We have been complaining about the weather in San Francisco, it’s a bit more colder than we are used to. I can’t imagine the snow and the routine with it.
    Totally, the holidays and the food is just a bit too much, the salad looks so good. The colors and the harissa sure is a warming touch. That’s a great recipe. Pinned.
    Ash-foodfashionparty recently posted..FIGS-CHIA AND HAZELNUT COOKIES (Gluten free)My Profile

    • Thanks Asha! You Californians are funny! My cousin is at Berkeley and he was complaining about the cold and how he was layered up at 38 degrees! That’s hoodie weather for us!

    • Thanks Dixya! I believe it was our front that went in to you guys. My cousins live in Dallas and they texted me photos. Hope you were able to keep warm! Their heating went out!

  18. I think this salad is gorgeous and sounds like something I’d love. Now if I can just find that Moroccan spice. Where did you find it? Late last Summer I made my own harissa and fell in love. I’ve been pinning recipe ideas so I can make it again and blog about it’s wonderful flavor. Thanks for a great recipe. I’ll be trying this one soon.
    Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Salmon, Broccoli and Bow Tie Noodles with Lemon Pepper Gravy, Salmon SaturdayMy Profile

    • Hi Le Ann! You can find the Ras el Hanout at Whole Foods. They have a new organic line from Spicely in little boxes. The spice mix is just a mix, but I need to check the box for the combo, and I don’t know what ratio they’re all in, so I just buy it 🙂 I’m sure Penzeys has it also, they have everything.

    • Thanks Abbe! I’m glad it’s not so frigid anymore, it was hard to function for the last few days!

  23. I don’t get tired of looking at these pictures again and again. They are absolutely gorgeous. I love how the white color props enhanced the vibrant colors of this salad. Its flavor profile is quite interesting too since it combines the buttery squash with pom (tart-sweet) and leaves (bitter). Lovely!
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Upside-Down Panettone French Toast (Rabanada de Panetone) and The Story Behind PanettoneMy Profile

    • Thanks Dave. I don’t crave salad in the winter so I hardly blog about it! Your dinner sounds delicious though! I love moussaka and baked in aubergines, sounds even better!

  27. This salad looks great, really tasty and a perfect winter fresh dish. Love the idea of the egg on top. I can’t believe how cold it’s been for you, we’re just fog bound at the moment which is strange. Despite what everyone thinks, peasoupers are a thing of the past but it certainly didn’t seem like it yesterday. GG xx
    glamorous glutton recently posted..Oreo Lemon Cheesecake JarsMy Profile

    • Thanks GG. It was insanely cold for about 10 days but it’s finally warming up now to more seasonal temps. London fog is the best though 🙂

  28. Such a beautiful salad, vibrant and equally comforting. There is something about spice..they make everything better especially for your kind of climatic conditions at the moment. I once made a roast pumpkin with Chermoula spice and everyone loved it…not sure if the one you have mentioned is similar. Love the photographs!
    Sugar et al recently posted..Pea, Potato and Prosciutto SoupMy Profile

    • Thanks Sonali! I believe Chermoula is similar, I’ll have to look it up cos I can’t remember, what all is in ras el Hanout and Chermoula Things like pumpkin and winter squash are so good with soaking in strong flavours. They make for some good eats!

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