Roasted Butternut Squash Pearl Couscous Salad #Sunday Supper

Winter produce can turn out the most flavorful salads. This one happens to be one of my favorites. You can’t go wrong with roasted butternut squash that’s been paired with pearl couscous and nestled on a bed of fresh peppery arugula. The greens are lightly tossed with a lemon vinaigrette that helps brighten up the flavors. Serve as a side salad or as a main dish, works great either way.

Many winter vegetables taste best when roasted. Butternut squash is no exception. When roasting place veggies in a single layer and drizzle with just a tiny bit of olive oil, also do not crowd them on the baking sheet. This way you get the caramelization and browning that is desired for the most flavor. You could substitute farro, barley or even quinoa for the couscous with delicious results. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

½ butternut squash
1 tablespoon butter
2 small shallots (minced)
1 ½ cups pearl (Israeli) couscous
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 ¾ cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons parsley (chopped)
1/3 cup roasted pine nuts
1 lemon (zested)
¼ cup golden raisins
2 cups arugula

Dressing:

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon dried mustard
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare:

Preheat oven to 425°.

Peel then cut butternut squash into small pieces, (see picture below) drizzle with olive oil and salt, roast about 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Set aside.

In a medium sized saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add shallots and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add couscous, bay leaf and cinnamon stick.  Stir mixture until couscous is lightly browned. Add salt and broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. 

Remove from heat and stir in butternut squash, parsley, pine nuts, lemon zest and raisins. Place arugula in serving bowl, drizzle with vinaigrette and lightly toss greens. Add couscous mixture on top and serve with the rest of the vinaigrette on the side. 

This event is being hosted by Sue Slusser Lau of A Palatable Pastime Thank you, Sue!!

SundaySupper Winter Salads

• Amish Ham Salad from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Arugula, Butternut & White Bean Salad with Maple Vinaigrette from Pook’s Pantry
• Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette from Cooking Chat
• Beet Terrine from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Blood Orange, Beet, and Apple Salad with Goat Cheese and Citrus Honey Vinaigrette from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
• Blue Cheese and Pear Salad from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Breakfast Salad from Our Good Life
• Brussels Sprouts Salad with White Bean Dressing and Pecan Crisps from Beauty and the Beets
• Chill Chasing Matchstick Vegetable Pasta Salad from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Chopped Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Bacon from MyGourmetConnection
• Citrus Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Cobb Salad from Palatable Pastime
• Colorful Veggie Filled Quinoa with a Ginger-Lemon Dressing from Positively Stacy
• Crunchy Beet & Arugula Salad from The Crumby Cupcake
• Escarole and Roasted Broccoli Salad with Anchovy Dressing from The Texan New Yorker
• Farro Salad with Roasted Squash, Radicchio and Lemon-Tahini Dressing from Caroline’s Cooking
• Grilled Chicken Salad from Real Food Real Deals
• Hot German Hot Noodle Salad from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Kale Salad with Lemony Tahini Dressing from My Life Cookbook
• Lemony Couscous Lentil Salad from Magnolia Days
• Low-Carb Spinach Breakfast Salad from Life Tastes Good
• Mandarin Tossed Salad from Meal Planning Magic
• Orange and Walnut Baby Spinach Salad w/ Quinoa and Citrus Vinaigrette from The Freshman Cook
• Quinoa Salad with Apples, Pecans and Dried Cranberries from The Chef Next Door
• Radicchio Pear Walnut Salad from The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• Roasted Butternut Squash Pearl Couscous Salad from Mysavoryspoon
• Roasted Savoy Cabbage Slaw with Spicy Bacon Dressing from Food Lust People Love
• Roasted Squash and Cabbage Salad with Crispy Chick Peas from Monica’s Table
• Shredded Beet Salad from Wholistic Woman
• Simple Arugula, Fennel and Leek Salad with Citrus from Simply Healthy Family
• Simple Spinach Cobb Salad With Lardons from And She Cooks
• Spinach Citrus Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette from From Gate to Plate
• Warm Balsamic Steak Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing from Momma's Meals
• Warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon and Goat Cheese from Nik Snacks
• Warm Cauliflower Spinach Salad with Pancetta from Taste and See
• Warm Potato and Broccoli Buffalo Salad from Sweet Mornings
• Warm Potato Salad with Arugula, Bacon and Brown Butter from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Warm Steak Tomato and Mozzarella Salad from Family Foodie
• Wilted Lettuce Salad from Confessions of a Cooking Diva
• Winter BLT Panzanella Salad from Hardly a Goddess
• Winter Citrus and Endive Salad from An Appealing Plan
• Winter Fruit Salad from Pies and Plots
• Winter Kale and Wild Rice Salad from Moore or Less Cooking
• Winter Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Winter Salad with Fennel, Apple, Goat Cheese and  Radishes from Delaware Girl Eats
• Winter Squash Quinoa Salad from Kitchen Gidget

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Salad plus more Winter Salad Recipes #SundaySupper from Sunday Supper Movement Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement?