Preheat the oven to 200°C (top-bottom, without convection). Take out all the ingredients onto the work surface. Wash the pumpkin under running water and dry it. Wash the pears and pomegranate. Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper and a large bowl for mixing the salad.
Description
A seasonal, traditionally inspired salad that combines the sweetness of roasted pumpkin, juicy pear, and bold pomegranate seeds. The dish contrasts the creamy texture of blue cheese with the crunch of toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds, while a slightly tangy balsamic-lemon dressing enhances all the flavors. Perfect as a light dinner on its own or an elegant side dish for lunch. It looks stunning with its vibrant colors (orange pumpkin, red pomegranate, green leaves) and beautifully presents on a large plate as a dish for gatherings in the autumn-winter season.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (15)
- Hokkaido pumpkin 600 g
- Pear 1.7 szt.
- Salad mix 120 g
- Pomegranate (arils, seeds) 100 g
- Red onion 1 szt.
- Walnuts 80 g
- Blue cheese (gorgonzola or another non-vegan cheese) 120 g
- Extra virgin olive oil 0.2 łyżek
- Balsamic vinegar 30 ml
- Dijon mustard 15 g
- Lemon juice 30 ml
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt
- Black pepper (ground) 2 szczypty
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Honey 30 ml
- Roasted pumpkin seeds 30 g
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Preparation steps
Ingredient Preparation
Roasting pumpkin
Cut the pumpkin in half (be careful, the skin is hard). Remove the seeds with a spoon (you can keep them for roasting). Cut the flesh into cubes about 2-3 cm on each side. In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin cubes with 15 g of oil, 1 g of salt (1 pinch), and 1 g of pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the pumpkin is soft (check with a fork) and slightly caramelized at the edges.
Preparing the pear and onion
While the pumpkin is baking, cut the pears into quarters, remove the seeds, and slice them thinly (about 3 mm). Peel the red onion and cut it into very thin half-rings. If the onion has a strong flavor, soak it in cold water for 5 minutes and drain - this will mellow the sharpness.
Toasting nuts and seeds
In a dry pan (preferably non-stick), add the walnuts and toast them over medium heat for 4-6 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Be careful not to burn them. If you are using pumpkin seeds (optional), add them to the pan during the last 2-3 minutes of toasting, until they start to sizzle.
Preparing the pomegranate
Cut the pomegranate horizontally and gently remove the seeds (arils). The easiest way to do this is by adding water to a bowl and tapping the seeds out with a spoon, removing the membranes that float to the surface. Drain the seeds in a sieve.
Preparing the dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine 30 g of balsamic vinegar, 30 ml of lemon juice, 15 g of Dijon mustard, and (optional) 30 g of honey if you prefer a milder, sweeter taste. Add 25 g of olive oil and whisk vigorously or shake the jar to achieve a smooth emulsion. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, taste, and adjust the proportions to your liking.
Salad Assembly
In a large bowl, place the salad mix (120 g). Drizzle about half of the prepared dressing (approx. 30-35 g) over it and gently toss with your hands or tongs — do this gently to avoid crushing the leaves. Arrange the salad on a large flat plate, placing the evenly roasted pumpkin cubes in the center. On top of the pumpkin, lay the pear slices, arrange thin half-rings of red onion, and sprinkle with pomegranate. Crumble the gorgonzola evenly over the entire dish.
Finishing and serving
Sprinkle the salad with toasted walnuts and (optionally) pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with the remaining dressing to taste (about 10-15 g left). Finally, season gently with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately to keep the leaves crisp, while the pumpkin is slightly warm, contrasting with the cold leaves and cheese.
Final tips
If you are preparing the salad in advance, store the individual components separately: the roasted pumpkin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, the dressing in a jar, and the leaves and cheese in separate, dry containers. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Fun Fact
Autumn salads combine warm, roasted vegetables with cold greens — this traditional pairing has been used in Mediterranean and Central European kitchens as a way to utilize post-winter harvests and add texture contrast.
Best for
Tips
Serve on a large flat plate to spread out the colors; place the pumpkin in the center, sprinkle the pomegranate evenly; crumble the cheese on top just before serving. Make sure part of the pumpkin is slightly warm — the contrast in temperature enhances the enjoyment of eating.
Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Baked pumpkin should be kept for a maximum of 2 days in a closed container in the refrigerator and reheated briefly in the oven (180°C, 5-7 min) to restore a slightly crispy texture. Combined salads should not be stored for longer than a few hours, as the leaves lose their crunch.
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