ROASTED PUMPKIN & FARRO SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOT DRESSING
DELICIOUS & EARTHY SALAD FULL OF FLAVOR, ALL YEAR ROUND
There is nothing I enjoy more in a salad than roasted pumpkin. It adds heartiness sans meat, sweetness without going overboard, and a caramelized quality that makes me feel at home. This particular salad balances the nuttiness of farro and toasted pine nuts with the crispness of fresh arugula and herbs. Covered in a rich and savory caramelized shallot dressing and topped with everyone’s favorite salty friend, feta, this salad delivers on both flavor and texture. Whether you are craving a heartier, more comforting salad for fall or dreaming of the crisp brightness of spring, this salad meets you exactly where you are at.
Serves 2
Ingredients
for dressing
1 tbsp + 1/2 cup olive oil
3 shallots, very thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
juice from 1 lemon
1.5 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
for salad
4 cups arugula
2 cups farro, cooked
1/4 japanese pumpkin
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
flaky sea salt
Recipe
1. Preheat the oven to 200C (400F). Scoop out the seeds and pulp from the pumpkin with a metal soon. Laying the pumpkin flat on one side, cut into 1” wide slices. Place pumpkin slices in a bowl and coat lightly with olive oil and salt. When ready to bake, place pumpkin slices well spaced from one another on a foil-lined baking tray and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.
2. While the pumpkin is cooking, begin making the dressing. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a medium non-stick pan over medium high heat. Add shallots and thinly sliced garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have become totally softened and caramelized with golden-brown fried edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. While the shallots are cooking, toast the pine nuts. Heat a small pan on low heat, add the pine nuts, and, shaking occasionally, toast until the pine nuts are lightly golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4. When the shallots are done cooking, add them to the blender along with the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Blend until combined, then continue to blend on low while slowly pouring in the olive oil until well emulsified. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
5. Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine arugula, parsley and mint leaves, farro, half of the pine nuts, and half of the feta. Drizzle lightly with the salad dressing and toss until evenly coated with dressing. Taste a few leaves as you go, adding more salad dressing as needed (less is more)!
6. To serve, divide dressed salad into two bowls. Arrange half of the pumpkin on each bowl, and top with remaining feta, pine nuts, and flaky sea salt. Enjoy!