Paleo Roasted Squash Salad with Pomegranate and Pepitas
Warm, caramelized butternut squash meets peppery arugula, jewel-bright pomegranate arils, and crunchy pepitas in a salad that feels genuinely celebratory without requiring much fuss. The squash gets tossed in a warming blend of turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger before roasting at high heat until the edges turn deep golden brown — that caramelization is where all the magic happens. A creamy tahini-lemon dressing, thinned to a silky pour and lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup, ties every element together beautifully. Every single ingredient here is whole-food and grain-free, so there's no need to audit labels or swap anything out — it just works as written. The contrast of warm squash against cool greens, tart pomegranate, and nutty seeds makes each bite more interesting than the last. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together on a single sheet pan and one small mixing bowl. Serve it immediately so the arugula stays lively and the squash holds onto that gorgeous roasted heat.
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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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