Photo by James Ransom
Genius Recipes's Notes:
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1/2 cup cubed kabocha, butternut, or other winter squash
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Extra-virgin olive oil
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Salt and freshly ground pepper
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1 bunch kale (preferably lacinato or dinosaur kale), ribs removed and finely sliced, about 2 1/2 cups
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1/4 cup almonds, cut roughly in half
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1/4 cup crumbled or finely chopped Cabot clothbound cheddar (or any good, aged cheddar -- if you can't find aged cheddar, use parmesan)
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Fresh lemon juice
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Pecorino or other hard cheese, for shaving (optional)
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Heat oven to 425° F. Toss squash cubes in just enough olive oil to coat, and season with salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet (lined with parchment for easier cleanup), leaving space between the cubes. Roast in the oven until tender and caramelized, about 40 minutes, tossing with a spatula every 10-15 minutes. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet in the same oven until they start to smell nutty, tossing once, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Ask the hotline about this step!In a large mixing bowl, toss the kale with the almonds, cheddar and squash. Season to taste with lemon juice and olive oil (approximately 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ask the hotline about this step!Divide salad between two plates or shallow bowls. Garnish with shaved pecorino cheese, if desired, and serve.
Ask the hotline about this step!I'm definitely going to try this next week, after I go to the market. I'm deathly allergic to almonds, but I have some roasted pumpkin seeds that I think would play off the flavors of the squash and kale nicely.
This was one of the most amazing uses of kale. I am totally addicted to this salad.
This was one of the most amazing uses of kale. I am totally addicted to this salad.
I was out of nuts so toasted the butternut squash seeds and used them instead. Lovely!!
I brought this to a community dinner and it was a big hit! I had bought a kale salad mix and Whole Foods and then found this recipe and used it. I was really easy, very fresh and something different that people had not had. I will make again for sure!
I made this for dinner last night - it was outstanding! (I am totally buying more kale today) I substituted apple for the squash, doubled the lemon juice (equal parts lemon and oil) and used some lemon avocado. The only reason I didn't eat the entire bowl - was that I needed something for lunch today.
This was delicious! I didn't have the right kind of kale, so I steamed it just a bit to make it more tender. I will definitely make this again.
Very tasty dish. Can be a side salad or the main dish. Super delish! i might add currants or raisin next time.
I added some chopped, crisp apples and it was wonderful!
Made this last night to serve with braised short ribs my good friend made from this site. Off-the-charts delicious and the perfect antidote for Chicago's first heavy snowstorm. Yummers!!!
Being Irish, Kale, root vegetables are IT for me... Thank you for sharing. Delicious
The only way I could have liked this salad more is if I went to Northern Spy and had them do all the work. :) Thanks for sharing!
Soooo good! I made this last night with lacinato kale that was conveniently on sale @ Whole Foods along with their fabulous, warm, out of the oven Seeduction loaf. My 12 year old son was skeptical, loved it and even talked about it today!
Made this last night. It was our first kale salad and will definitely not be our last! Unable to find the aged cheddar so used parmesan, but want to try it with the cheddar. We served it with another recipe from Food 52, Misoyaki Roast Chicken with Shoyu Onion Sauce. This salad was a perfect compliment. I had hoped to have leftovers of it for lunch today, but the salad bowl was practically licked clean!
Made this tonight for dinner. Fabulous!!!!
I made this without the cheddar and extra parmesan. My roommate and I loved it!
I made this today; used a bit more olive oil than necessary to roast the squash, then used in the dressing the squash-infused oil from the roasting pan. Didn't have any Cabot cheddar, but Dubliners did a great job standing in. Excellent salad!! And so, so pretty, too. ;o)
As you are on the subject of kale might I suggest my way of dealing with that stem problem which also afflicts
sorrel leaves. Use you pizza wheel. It is fast and efficient.
I have been looking for a great kale recipe ever since a friend made it for me after my mother passed away. Will try it with apples, per AlohaGirl too! Thanks for the funny article & great recipe!
This is the best use of kale ever! I did not have squash (and my husband hates it) so substituted crisp apple slices as chef suggested. Kale is tender and wonderful done this way. The combo of flavors actually made my family say they like it better than spinach salad or arugula. What a simple yet elegant way to get the benefits of kale weekly. Better raw than sauteed, we say. This will be a staple salad and can be done in variations, such as the candied walnut sprinkle I added. The dressing makes it and ties it together. Will give recipe to my married daughter for her family since even her kids will like this.
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Baby butternuts -- more to peel, but so cute!
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We like sectioning into neck and orb for easier peeling.
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All seeds must go.
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Getting ready for roasting -- lining with parchment will protect you from being haunted by stuck-on bits.
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Shake some salt and pepper at it and dribble on some olive oil.
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Then tumble it around and stick it in the oven (you'll see the results in a moment).
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While your squash is in the oven, turn to your kale. Lacinato is what you want, with dark leaves like beveled glass.
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This is how you peel out the sturdy ribs, if you like.
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Then line them up and start slicing.
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Toasted almonds, chopped (approximately) in half.
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Maybe the best cheese on earth: Cabot Clothbound Cheddar -- aged and crumbly like a parmigiano but with the spunk of a cheddar.
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These cheese chunks are going to make your salad.
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There's that squash, roasted and ready to join the fray.
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The heartiest salad around.
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Just a toss, no massaging needed.
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i made this and threw in some chopped apples.....delicous!