Artificial Flavors Free Roasted Squash Salad with Pomegranate and Pepitas
This salad is a showstopper — warm, spiced butternut squash tumbled over peppery arugula, finished with jewel-bright pomegranate arils and crunchy pepitas for a combination that feels genuinely special. Every element earns its place, from the golden-edged squash roasted with turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger to the creamy tahini dressing built from fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and real garlic. When you're avoiding artificial flavors, this kind of recipe is exactly what you want: every bit of depth comes from whole spices, fresh citrus, and pantry staples you can actually read the labels on. The dressing alone is worth memorizing — silky, tangy, and just sweet enough without a drop of anything synthetic. Peppery arugula holds up beautifully under the warm squash, wilting just slightly at the edges in the best possible way. It's the kind of dish that looks like it came from a restaurant but comes together with nothing more than a sheet pan, a whisk, and good ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the roasted squash
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lb), peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 2–3 tbsp water, to thin
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 5 oz baby arugula
- ¾ cup pomegranate arils (from about ½ medium pomegranate)
- ⅓ cup dry-roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, toss the squash cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces.
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