Home / Recipes / Salads / A Cozy Winter Salad Recipe Your Family Will Love
ByJune Albertson-DickPublishedUpdated
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I almost feel like this salad can speak for itself because it is so darn beautiful! The colors are so magnificent! In my opinion, this salad is a combination of all things that make winter wonderful. This is A Cozy Winter Salad Recipe Your Family Will Love and you will be making again and again. Keep scrolling to see how all of the elements come together.
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I first made this winter salad recipe last month when I went to visit my sweet friend Chloe from Boxwood Avenue. I wanted to bring a salad that had hearty ingredients but it almost didn’t happen.
If you know anything about Chloe, then you know that she is the owner of a feisty little goat named, Butternut. She is so FUN! I sometimes watch Chloe’s Instagram feed just because I know that Chloe and her goats will brighten my day.
But as I was putting together this winter salad together, I stopped in my tracks! Did I dare take butternut squash to a ranch that’s mascot is BUTTERNUT {in my opinion anyway}? I panicked for a moment and realized just how silly that was and took the squash anyway. Sorry Butternut! Thankfully she loved it.
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There are a few elements to this winter salad recipe, but let me tell you something…they are TOTALLY worth it. First of all, you need to roast butternut squash.
I bought a whole squash but you can buy it already cubed in the refrigerated and frozen section. Put it onto a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees and let cool.
To assemble the salad, start by adding kale into a bowl. I prefer to use the baby kale because it is super tender but regular kale can be used too.
If you don’t have access to kale {or you don’t like it} then you can use spinach or another green of choice.
Top that with cooked farro. You can now find quick cooking farro at the grocery store which is such a time saver. For a long time farro was very time consuming to make.
The texture that it adds to the salad is everything!
Then add the roasted butternut squash. See the awesome color it got in the oven? So yummy!
Now for some crunch, with pecans. Almonds would totally work here too.
The dressing is really where you can make this salad your own. I like to use a Balsamic Vinaigrette but anything will work. I have even used a Cesar dressing and liked the results.
Toss it together at this point, get a helping and lets add the final toppings. The best part in my opinion.
A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a few pomegranate seeds complete the salad. It is almost looks too good to eat…almost!!
The flavors are so wonderful together. You can add a little cooked chicken for a complete meal but it is so great served as a side with any meal.
I might not love the snow that winter brings but if it means I can eat this salad then bring it on. It is healthy, gorgeous and perfect for a cool day. I know you will love it too.
Do you love delicious side dishes? Try these recipes…
Fiesta Wedge Salad
Frozen Vegetable Casserole Recipe
Broccoli Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Mexican Street Corn Skillet
Roasted Melting Potatoes
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A Cozy Winter Salad Recipe Your Family will Love
A delicious combination of kale, butternut squash, farro, pecans, Parm and pomegranate seeds are topped with your favorite dressing for the perfect winter salad.
In a large bowl add baby kale, top with cooked farro, roasted butternut squash*** and pecans. Add dressing and toss salad until coated.
To serve**: Plate 1/4 of prepared salad and top with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds. Enjoy.
**If you are going to serve this family style then you can add the Parmesan cheese and pomegranate seeds directly to the salad and serve.
***To roast butternut squash: Take diced butternut squash and put onto a baking sheet. Drizzle squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss to coat. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.
Chuck in some carbs- examples that warm up nicely include new potatoes, sweet potato, quinoa, couscous, spelt, rice or pasta. Top off with some good fats, herbs, flavours and dressings – try adding avocado, seeds and nuts and even warmed fruit.
Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.
Regardless of whatever your diet is, a nutritious winter salad can offer your body the essential nutrients and immunity boost it needs, all while enriching every bite with taste. Some people think that salad is a summer food but know it's not as it is equally important to incorporate during the winter season.
Hi Joan, the best cold hardy winter lettuce varieties are Cos, Tom Thumb, Little Gem, Lamb's Ear lettuce, Corn Salad, loose leaf varieties such as oak leaf green and red, mesclun winter greens, there is a hearting variety called Imperial Triumph that is cold tolerant.
One of the easiest ways to get some flavour in your salad is to mix up your leaves with bright herbs that pack a punch. Plants like parsley, dill, mint and coriander can really kick your salads up a notch and give them some (much needed) depth and can give a great dose of flavour in every bite.
Bound salads are held together with a binding agent like mayonnaise or a thick dressing. They look a bit different than traditional composed or tossed salads, as vegetables aren't a requirement.
Obviously, every salad needs a base, some type of leafy greens. Choose a salad green that's loaded with health benefits… and STAY AWAY from that iceberg lettuce. You can also use a mix of these to give your salad a little more variety.
More Veggies: You can include winter vegetables beyond the usual leafy greens. And there are plenty of options from which to choose: Roasted vegetables are terrific in a salad. Cook double amounts of vegetables like winter squash, onions, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, and use the extra in a salad another day.
The difference between summer and winter salads comes down to what produce is produced this time of year. You'll notice grocery stores full of things like figs, pomegranates, apples squashes, Brussels sprouts, arugula and beets, as opposed to summer produce like tomatoes, zucchini, berries and corn.
Benefits of Eating Nutrient-Rich Winter Superfoods
Foods like citrus fruits (high in vitamin C), garlic, ginger, and leafy greens provide essential nutrients that support the body's defense against illnesses like colds and flu.
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