Name: Festive Autumn Salad
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 whole butternut squash (cut in half, deseeded. peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes); 1 tbsp coconut oil; 1 tsp cinnamon (ground); 1 cup brown and wild rice (cooked per package instructions (we like to cook ours in a vegan broth for added flavor)); 1 cup pecans (whole or pieces); 1 tsp cinnamon (ground); 2 coconut sugar ((can use brown sugar if not following a paleo diet)); 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh); 2 tbsp orange juice (fresh); 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 inch knob ginger root (fresh peeled and grated); 2-3 tbsp maple syrup ((depending on how sweet you like it)); 1/2 tsp cinnamon (ground); salt and pepper (to taste); 2 cups rocket (arugula); 2 cups spinach (fresh ); 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds; 1/2 cup cranberries (dried and low sugar)

Why you are going to love our Festive Autumn Salad

You are just going to love this simple and easy festive autumn salad as it is filled with so many healthy ingredients and all of the autumn harvest all in one delicious bite. This salad is also happily gluten-free, paleo-friendly, dairy free, and egg-free.

Festive Autumn Salad / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

Things that grow together taste great together

My dad used to tell me...“If you’re shopping seasonally for fresh fruits and vegetables, most items from that are ready to harvest at the same time blend together beautifully." You know Dad's are always right! You can use any fruits/veggies in season such as apples, pears, persimmon, and roasted pumpkin would all work beautifully in this salad. Dried fruits are also beautiful in this salad.

Festive Autumn Salad is the perfect dish to pass for all of your holiday gatherings. You make your ginger maple citrus dressing, candied stove top pecans and roasted butternut squash in advance and then all you need to do is dump in a bowl and toss and you are good to go. Fast and easy and around the busy holidays you need lots of shortcuts to make your life easier.

This Festive Autumn Salad is so colorful that it could be the centerpiece on your holiday table and how pretty would this salad look nestled next to a slice of turkey or ham. This is one dish that all the vegan family and friends can enjoy too.

The ginger maple citrus dressing makes this salad extra special. Ginger, lemon, lime, cinnamon and a little drizzle of maple syrup are blended with perfect harmony. The sweet, the savory and the warming spices and roasted autumn butternut squash all make a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

My favorite addition is the candied stove top pecans. Candied stove top pecans are so addictive delicious so you better make a little extra because I promise at least half of them will be gone by the time you get to serving up the salad.