Roasted squash & arugula salad with pine nuts, dried cranberries, and apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for fall and winter lunches!
Being a new rock climber is definitely an ego boost.
I would be lying if I didn’t feel pretty darn cool carrying ropes through the state park on the approach.
Hearing kids shout and point to skeptical parents, “Wow, look, mom, rock climbers!” made my helmeted head just slightly bigger.
But learning how to rappel down a cliff yesterday definitely shook my cool.
The hardest part (for me) was lowering myself over the edge to effectively test the safety with my body weight and set up the dual ropes through my ATC.
I clung from the edge of the rock while my feet dangled, digging for comfy footholds that never came.
Looking up at M wildly I said, “I feel like Mufasa from the Lion King right now,” and burst out laughing.
Yeah, I laugh a *lot* when I’m nervous.
But it was all good because my safety latched like I knew it would and I set up my rappelling ropes no problem.
M fireman belayed me from the bottom and I repelled like a freakin’ rockstar.
When my two feet were finally on the ground again, I laughed at how simple it had all been.
This Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad is almost as satisfying as the delicious post-climbing soreness I felt waking up today.
It’s made easily with roasted winter squash, arugula, pine nuts, and dried cranberries for a
It’s squash season, friends!
Every two weeks when my Misfits Market box arrives I can be absolutely certain that there’s a squash inside.
So let’s put those squashes to good use.
Aside from the comforting flavor of squash, I love the way the pretty presentation they give dishes!
I used acorn squash as the base for this recipe, but if you can’t find it, try using another winter squash like butternut, carnival, or kabocha instead.
Because why would you serve your salad in a bowl when you can serve it in a squash bowl?!
What You Need to Make Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad
Here’s what you need for the salad:
- acorn squash
- pine nuts
- avocado oil
- sea salt
- black pepper
- arugula or kale
- dried cranberries
That’s it!
How to Make Roasted Squash
Begin this recipe by roasting the squash.
Once you’ve removed the seeds and pulp from the squash, roast it in the oven for 30-45 minutes.
The cook time will vary based on the size of your squash so be sure to watch it closely in the last 10 or so minutes of roasting.
The squash is done when it’s fork tender and slightly golden brown, but not mushy!
For this recipe, you want the squash to be firm enough to hold its shape, as it acts as the foundation for the rest of the dish.
How to Make the Arugula Salad
While the squash is roasting, prepare your salad ingredients.
Wash the greens, toast the pine nuts, and prepare the dried cranberries.
For greens, I went with arugula, but I think shredded kale would be really nice here, too.
You can also whisk up the dressing while you wait.
What You Need to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
Here’s what you need for the dressing:
- Eden Foods Apple Cider Vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh squeezed lemon juice
- black pepper
That’s it!
Eden Foods Apple Cider Vinegar
I love Eden Foods Apple Cider Vinegar because it’s organic, raw, unpasteurized, and slowly fermented apple juice!
It’s wonderful in this recipe to compliment that lemon and extra virgin olive oil for a light simple dressing that compliments the fall produce.
Whisk up the ingredients with a fork and rejoice in the fact that you don’t have to dirty up the blender!
To serve your salad, plate the quartered roasted acorn squashes and top them with the dressed salad.
Sprinkle more pine nuts and dried cranberries on top if you want!
More Winter Salads
-
Garlicky Chickpeas & Kale Bowl With Cream Tahini
-
Warm Kale Quinoa Bowl
-
Warm Spiced Sweet Potato Salad With Pistachios
-
Tri-Colored Roasted Cauliflower Salad
-
Butternut Squash Noodle Cranberry Salad
-
Fall Harvest Salad
-
Root Veggie Chip Arugula Salad
-
Roasted Fig Arugula Salad
-
Cran-Apple Tempeh Kale Salad
-
Wintergreen Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
I Want to Hear From You
If you make this Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad recipe, let me know!
Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.
Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.
Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.
Love this post and want more? Go to my homepage and subscribe to get updates delivered right to your inbox!
XO Lauren
If you make this Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad, let me know!
Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.
Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.
Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipe like this one to make later.
For more fun fall salads, check out my Autumn Harvest Salad Bowls with Maple Mustard Tahini and Cranberry Apple Kale Walnut Salad with Tempeh Crumbles.
Love this post and want more? Go to my homepage and subscribe to get updates delivered right to your inbox!
XO Lauren

Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2-4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Roasted squash & arugula salad with pine nuts, dried cranberries, and apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for fall and winter lunches!
Ingredients
Roasted Squash Arugula Salad
- 1⁄4 cup pine nuts
- 2 small acorn squash
- 1 TBSP avocado oil
- Himalayan sea salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 4 cups arugula and/or kale, rinsed and dried
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 1⁄4 cup Eden Foods Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread pine nuts on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven, stirring occasionally until fragrant and lightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds. Cut into quarters, leaving skin on. On a large baking sheet, toss with avocado oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until fork tender and lightly browned, about 35-45 minutes depending on size. Set aside.
- To make the dressing, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk with a fork to combine. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add arugula/kale, and dressing. Toss to combine.
- To serve, divide roasted squash, skin side-down among plates. Place dressed salad on top of each quarter and drizzle with extra dressing if desired and top with toasted pine nuts and cranberries.
Notes
Recipe heavily adapted from Tone It Up
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Oven-Bake
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free
This post is brought to you by Eden Foods, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!
Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen
Leave a Reply