This is the perfect Delicata squash salad. This recipe combines roasted Delicata squash, shredded Brussels Sprouts, toasted pecan, and dried cranberries. Top it all with a creamy, oil-free vegan Apple Cider Dressing. If you make just one plant-based salad this fall, this is it!
The Perfect Plant-Based Fall Squash Salad
Creating any delicious plant-based salad means creating a delicious balance of textures, flavors, and colors. This is pretty easy to do when you’re working with the world of plants – they naturally have a diverse array of colors and flavors.
Giving this salad a Fall twist, though, we want to incorporate more seasonal ingredients. This is where golden Delicata Squash, red cranberries, and roasted Brussels sprouts come in. Plus, the dressing uses fresh, sweet fall apples.
For more Salad Tips: How to Make the Ultimate Vegan Salad: 4 Chef’s Tips for Delicious, Healthy Oil-Free Flavor
How to Roast Delicata Squash Oil-Free
Delicata Squash is one of my favorite winter squashes. It’s thin, delicate skin means you don’t have to peel it. Plus, it is usually smaller than the other fall squashes. In turn, it’s easier to work with and faster to roast.
There are a few easy steps for roasting Delicata squash oil-free:
- Scrub the skin to remove any dirt
- Cut the squash in half length-wise
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds
- Cut the squash into desired sized — either half-moons or smaller, bite-sized pieces
- Spread into a singler layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat
- Roast at 425F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through
- That’s it!
Delicata Winter Squash at Chicago’s Green City Farmers Market 
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the Delicata squash 
You can leave the skin on Delicata squash. 
Roast Delicata squash in a single layer to get even cooking 
Delicata squash is done roasting when golden on the edges and tender
Add Delicious Healthy Texture with Pecans and Cranberries
Another trick to creating the Ultimate Vegan Salad is adding interesting texture. To keep this healthy, it’s important to use whole foods, plant-based ingredients. Dried fruits and nuts work great! While this recipe uses dried cranberries, you can also use raisins, dried cherries, currants, or chopped dates. However, double-check that ingredient label. Avoid anything with added sweeteners or oils.
To add a bit of crunchy texture, nuts are easy and healthy. This perfect Fall salad recipe uses roasted pecans. However, you can also use walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, or cashews. I always recommend toasting the nuts first. This releases their natural oils. In turn, you get more flavor while still keeping it healthy. If you have a nut allergy, you can always swap out the nuts for seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or hemp.
Creating a Creamy, Oil-Free, Vegan Apple Cider Dressing
The final component to this Perfect Fall Salad is the creamy, oil-free vegan apple cider dressing. Cashews are blended with whole foods, plant-based dates and whole grain mustard for a delicious, satisfying dressing. Cider vinegar adds a tang to balance out the sweetness. This is a dressing recipe you’ll want in your cooking repertoire!
Chef Katie’s Oil-Free, Plant-Based Cooking Tips
Oil-Free: I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories, like those found in refined oils. The dressing for this salad uses cashews to create creamy richness.
Using other Squash: You can use other winter squash for this plant-based salad recipe. Diced butternut squash, red Kuri squash, and Acorn squash would all be delicious and beautiful!
You can find shredded Brussels sprouts in the produce section, near bagged salad greens 
Use parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat for easy, oil-free roasting 
A little brown on the Brussels sprouts brings out their natural sweetness 
This creamy, oil-free dressing is made from cashews and apple 
Always roast your nuts to bring out their natural, rich flavor 
Perfect Delicata Squash Salad with Apple Cider Dressing – Healthy, Oil-Free, Whole Foods, Plant-Based Vegan Recipe from Plants-Rule
Perfect Delicata Squash Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing
Print Recipe
Medium | Servings: 6 | Ready In: 40 minutes
If you love this recipe, you’ll also love Farro Butternut Squash Salad, Rainbow Carrot Walnut Arugula Salad with Oil-Free Fig Dressing, Roasted Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Cherry Tomatoes, and Simple 5-Ingredient Butternut Squash Apple Bisque Soup with Microgreens.
Plus, check out: Types Of Winter Squash And Healthy, Plant-Based Vegan Recipes
Perfect Delicata Squash Salad with Creamy Apple Cider Dressing
Ingredients
For the Perfect Delicata Squash Salad
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 12-ounce bag shredded Brussels sprouts
- 1 medium Delicata squash seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 6 cups mixed greens
For the Creamy Apple Cider Vegan Dressing
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 sweet apple cored and cut into chunks
- 2 dates pitted
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425F.
To Toast the Pecans:
- Spread the pecans into a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast 4-5 minutes, until toasted. You should be able to smell the roasted pecan aroma. Remove from the oven and let cool.
To Roast the Delicata Squash and Brussels Sprouts:
- Line two baking sheets with parchment or non-stick baking mats. Spread the Brussels sprouts onto one of these sheets. Spread the Delicata squash onto the other. Be sure to spread both into a single layer.
- Roast the Brussels and squash for 25-30 minutes, until both are tender and have developed some browning around the edges. You'll need to flip the Brussels 2-3 times during the roasting. The squash just needs to be flipped once. While these roast, you can make the Creamy Apple Cider Dressing.
- When done, remove from the oven and let cool.
To make the Creamy Apple Cider Vegan Dressing:
- Combine everything for the dressing in a blender. Puree until creamy, 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To Assemble the Perfect Delicata Squash Salad:
- On a large platter or in a bowl, spread out your market greens. Then, sprinkle on the roasted Brussels sprouts, Delicata squash, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Drizzle on the creamy Apple Cider dressing. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings 6.0 | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| calories 231 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 7 g | 11 % |
| Saturated Fat 0 g | 2 % |
| Monounsaturated Fat 1 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium 111 mg | 5 % |
| Potassium 345 mg | 10 % |
| Total Carbohydrate 35 g | 12 % |
| Dietary Fiber 7 g | 27 % |
| Sugars 23 g | |
| Protein 5 g | 9 % |
| Vitamin A | 104 % |
| Vitamin C | 92 % |
| Calcium | 8 % |
| Iron | 9 % |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. |
Shopping and Gear List
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries, No Added Sugar, Juice Or Oils
- Nature’s Eats Pecan Pieces, 24 Ounce
- Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother
- Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll
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