While everyone gets excited for PSLs in the Fall, I get excited for Delicata Squash. I discovered it last year and have never looked at another squash (most of the time). I don’t know what it is about Delicata, it has this sweet nuttiness that is almost addictive. It’s easy to prep and I love it with eggs, in pasta and probably my most favorite way – in this salad!

The longest part of this recipe is baking the veggies – I to batch prep the delicata squash and the sweet potatoes and keep them for the week for salads. Then I can easily throw it together between meetings! The dressing is also really simple and something I concocted when I was trying to incorporate apple cider vinegar in my diet: the mustard and apple cider vinegar are balanced out with the maple syrup and complements the sweetness of the veggies beautifully! This may beat out the PSL for your favorite part of Fall 🙂

 

Tips & Tricks

• I am in love with delicata squash but have also used acorn squash with delicious results – so feel free to sub any squash you like!
• I sometimes add in a diced apple for some extra sweetness, if you prefer a prefer savory salad leave it out
• If you don’t have access to Trader Joe’s you can add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and some chili powder to season the roasted veggies

Recipe Information

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 entree portions 

Ingredients

• 1 delicata squash cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 sweet potato cut into 1 inch cubes
• Trader Joe’s Citrusy Garlic seasoning
• Trader Joe’s Green Goddess seasoning
• 2 cups romaine lettuce finely chopped
• Any neutral oil
• 1 small apple thinly sliced (optional)
• Cranberries and pepita seeds (optional)
• For Dressing:
  • 1 tbsp apple cider viengar
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp spicy mustard
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • Salt, Pepper, Garlic powder to taste

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400F
2. Mix delicata squash and sweet potatoes separately with a generous amount of oil, Trader Joe’s seasonings and salt/pepper
3. Spread evenly on two baking sheets covered in parchment paper and bake for 40 minutes or till browned – note that if you are baking the trays at the same time, rotate the trays every 10 minutes for even cooking
4. The delicata squash will cook faster than the sweet potatoes so keep an eye on it – it may need less than 40 minutes
5. You can store the roasted veggies in an airtight container for upto 5 days
6. To make the dressing combine all the liquids and whisk till uniform; add seasoning and adjust to taste
7. Toss the dressing with the lettuce and mix well; add in roasted veggies and apples (if using)
8. Garnish with peptia seeds and cranberries