Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Salad

 Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Salad with Maple Rosemary Vinaigrette 

Cook's Notes: Bring fall flavors to your table with this amazing autumn salad. And you just can't go wrong adding bits of bacon to liven up the salad. Its salty taste pairs well with the sweetness of butternut squash. The homemade Maple Rosemary Vinaigrette is outstanding and enough for 4 salads. Advance prep makes the final assembly easier. Earlier in the day, cook the bacon and make the dressing. Store the dressing in a screw-top jar in the refrigerator. The salad pairs well with a grilled meal.

Recipe serves 4 and was adapted from cookingclassy.com

Salad Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1-1/2-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon 
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup red onions, thinly sliced (rinse under cold water to remove harsh bite)
• 3 oz herb feta or goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 small bag of mixed greens (blend baby kale and spinach or arugula and spinach blend) 

Vinaigrette Ingredients: 

• 3-4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
• 2-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried, crushed rosemary 

Salad Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  
• In a bowl, add olive oil, syrup, and cinnamon. Toss butternut cubes in the mixture and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with thyme. Bake for 20 minutes. Add in walnuts and cranberries; cook 3 minutes more or until cubes are tender.
• Cook bacon, crumble, and set aside. 
• In a salad bowl, add greens, squash cubes, bacon, walnuts, cranberries, and red onion.
• Serve immediately and drizzle with vinaigrette. 

Vinaigrette Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and mix well. Taste test to adjust the ingredients' flavor. 
• Blend again and refrigerate for a few hours; blend one more time right before serving.