Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets

 Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets

INGREDIENTS

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

• 3 cups Brussels sprouts (raw, ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt to taste

Roasted Butternut Squash

• 4 cups butternut squash  (uncooked, peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt to taste

Other Salad Ingredients

• 2 beets
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Balsamic Glaze

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup honey or brown sugar

METHOD

How to Roast Brussels Sprouts

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Trim ends of Brussels sprouts and remove yellow leaves.  Slice all Brussels sprouts in half. 

In a medium bowl, combine halved Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (to taste), and toss to combine. 

Place Brussels sprouts onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, cut side down, and roast in the oven at 375 F for about 20-25 minutes. Roast them longer if you'd like a softer texture. During the last 5-10 minutes of roasting, turn them over for even browning, the cut sides should be nicely and partially charred but not blackened.

How to Roast Butternut Squash

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine cubed butternut squash (peeled and seeded), 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt, and toss to combine.

Spread butternut squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once half-way through baking until softened.

Note: You can roast both Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on 2 separate baking sheets at the same time, on the same rack in the oven.

How to Cook Beets

Add 2 beets to a medium-sized saucepan filled with water. Bring to a boil. Boil the beets on medium heat, half-covered (allowing some heat to escape), for about 30 or 40 minutes until soft (depending on the size of the beets). Remove from heat.

Using a large spoon or a ladle, carefully remove beets from hot water. Let them cool. When completely cooled, peel the beets and then dice them into small cubes.

How to Toast Pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread pecans in a single layer.

Toast the pecans for about 5 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven at 350 F until they get darker in color.  

Note: Pecans burn really fast, so make sure to check the nuts after 5 minutes and frequently afterward. 

Balsamic Glaze

Combine 1 cup of balsamic vinegar + ¼ cup of honey or brown sugar in a medium pan and cook it down, regularly stirring. The mixture should reduce by about half. Consistency should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon but should not be overly thick.

Assembly

In a large bowl, toss together roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Add diced cooked beets last, otherwise they will color the salad dark red color.

Drizzle with the balsamic glaze without mixing it with the salad.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If making this salad ahead, drizzle the balsamic glaze only right before serving, for presentation purposes. Otherwise, the salad might look dark and not as colorful.