Thanksgiving kale salad with roasted root vegetables
Yes, even on Thanksgiving, I serve kale to family and friends. This salad is a vibrant and robust taste of fall: full of hearty, seasonal root vegetables, a hint of maple syrup, and the crunch of pumpkin seeds. You'll "eat the rainbow" when you eat this salad, which is hearty enough to make a meal for your vegetarian guests, served with a side of quinoa or farro.
Kale is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, iron, folate and many other nutrients, all at 36 calories per cup! It can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds assorted root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, delicata squash and parsnips (approximately 1 delicata, 1 parsnip and 2 small sweet potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- 1 bunch green curly kale, center rib removed
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare 2 baking sheets by lining with parchment paper. Peel root vegetables, as desired (no need to peel the delicata), and then cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick slices. Toss with olive oil and salt in a bowl, then transfer in a single layer with some space between the vegetables on the baking sheets.
- Cook until tender, about 20 minutes, flipping over halfway between. When vegetables are light brown around the edges and you're able to pierce them easily with a fork, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.
- Thinly slice or tear kale into bite-sized pieces and place in a salad bowl. Massage kale with your hands for about a minute, until it has softened and appears glossy and darker green.
- Prepare the dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisking, or by pouring into a jar, tightly closing the lid, and shaking until combined. Pour dressing onto prepared kale and toss to cover.
- Toast pepitas by placing in a single layer in a small, dry frying pan (without oil) and heating over low-medium heat, shaking often until pepitas puff up a bit and change from green to tan in color. This will take 30 to 60 seconds. Allow to cool.
- When vegetables have cooled, arrange them atop the kale salad. Scatter pepitas, pomegranate arils, and red onion.
Nutrition information (per serving)
- Calories: 137
- Total fat: 6 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Total sugars: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g