Prepare the pumpkin: wash it, cut off the ends with a knife, and place it on a stable cutting board. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and fibrous center with a spoon, and then cut it into cubes about 2 cm on each side. Even pieces will ensure even roasting.
Description
Creamy roasted butternut squash combined with juicy persimmon, crunchy walnuts, and golden halloumi creates a stunning fusion salad perfect for winter days. The dish combines the flavors of sweet roasted vegetables, the delicate saltiness of cheese, and the tartness of pomegranate, complemented by an aromatic vinaigrette with mustard and maple syrup. Served as a light dinner, an appetizer at a social gathering, or as part of a buffet – it looks very appealing due to the contrast of colors: the orange of the squash and persimmon, the burgundy of radicchio, and the ruby "drops" of pomegranate. The salad is filling yet fresh — a well-balanced texture: soft squash, springy slices of halloumi, the crunch of nuts and seeds, and delicate lamb's lettuce.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (16)
- butternut squash 400 g
- Persimmon 1.5 szt.
- Radicchio 150 g
- Lamb's lettuce (mâche) 100 g
- Halloumi 180 g
- Pomegranate (seeds) 100 g
- Olive oil 45 ml
- Apple cider vinegar 20 ml
- Dijon mustard 15 g
- Maple syrup 20 ml
- Garlic 1 ząbek
- Walnuts 60 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt
- Black pepper 2 szczypty
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Microgreens / sprouts (optional) 30 g
- Roasted pumpkin seeds 30 g
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Preparation steps
Preparing the pumpkin
Roasting pumpkin
Preheat the oven to 200°C with the convection function (or 220°C without convection). In a large bowl, mix the chopped pumpkin with 15 g of olive oil, 2 g of salt, and 1 g of freshly ground pepper. Arrange the pieces skin side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not crowded. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges start to caramelize slightly and the center is soft — check with a fork: a knife should easily pierce the flesh.
Preparation of persimmon and radicchio
Wash the persimmon under running water. Cut it in half, remove any loose seeds, and slice it or dice it into pieces similar in size to pumpkin chunks (about 1–2 cm). Cut the radicchio into quarters and slice it into thin strips, then rinse briefly and dry in a salad spinner or with a paper towel. Set aside.
Preparation of pomegranate and nuts
Cut the pomegranate in half. Holding half of the fruit over a bowl, hit the skin side with a wooden spoon firmly to release the seeds into the bowl (it's best to do this over a strainer to separate the juice from the membranes). Chop the walnuts with a knife into medium pieces and briefly toast them in a dry, heated pan (1–2 minutes) until you can smell their aroma — be careful not to burn them.
Frying halloumi
Cut the halloumi into slices about 7–8 mm thick. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat; when hot, pour in a little olive oil (about 5 g — a thin layer). Place the slices in the skillet and fry for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown and a crispy crust forms. Once fried, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
Preparing the dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine 30 g of olive oil, 20 ml of apple cider vinegar, 15 g of Dijon mustard, 20 g of maple syrup, finely chopped 5 g clove of garlic, 3 g of salt, and 1 g of pepper. Whisk vigorously with a fork or shake the jar until the dressing is smooth and slightly emulsified — the oil will combine with the vinegar and mustard, creating a smooth emulsion.
Salad Assembly
In a large bowl, gently combine the lamb's lettuce and chopped radicchio. Add warm (not hot) roasted pumpkin and pieces of persimmon — arrange them so as not to crush the soft fruit. Drizzle 2/3 of the prepared dressing and gently mix with a spatula or your fingers to avoid wilting the leaves. Add pomegranate seeds and half of the chopped nuts. On top, arrange slices of golden halloumi and sprinkle with the remaining nuts and (optional) pumpkin seeds and microgreens.
Finishing and serving
Before serving, drizzle the salad with the remaining dressing (if needed) and season to taste with salt (be careful with the halloumi) and freshly ground pepper. Arrange the salad on flat plates or a shared platter — so that the slices of halloumi are visible on the surface and the colorful pomegranate seeds are evenly scattered.
Fun Fact
The combination of roasted vegetables with fruits and cheese has its roots in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines — it is common to pair the sweetness of roasted fruits with intense cheeses, creating a striking contrast of flavors.
Best for
Tips
Serve the salad on a large, flat plate so that the layers and colors are clearly visible. Serve with a slice of rustic bread or crispy croutons. To make portioning easier, slice the halloumi into evenly thick pieces and arrange them neatly on top.
Store the baked pumpkin and fried halloumi separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. The dressing can be stored in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Do not combine the ingredients long before serving — the leaves will wilt, and the fruits will lose their firmness.
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