When the cool fall breeze blows in and winter's on its way, nothing beats diving into a tasty pumpkin, spinach, and feta salad. I've made this dish in my home for ages now, and it's got this amazing mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy bits that always gets rave reviews at parties or works great just for dinner.
Getting Started
You'll love this Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta mix because it's got amazing taste, tons of good-for-you stuff, and everyone seems to enjoy it. It's perfect for casual Sunday hangouts, prepped lunches for the week ahead, or any social event you've got coming up. Since it's gluten-free, folks with food issues can dig in too, and you can whip it up any time of year.
This mix has been a hit at my place forever, and I keep making it for my people who always want something fresh and interesting to try. When you put together that oven-baked pumpkin, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and zingy homemade dressing, you've got something really special.
What You'll Need and How to Prep
- 600g / 1.2 lb Pumpkin: Chopped into 3cm / 1.25" chunks, then baked with some olive oil and a bit of salt and pepper.
- Dressing stuff:
- 2.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
A sweet and tangy Honey Balsamic mix to tie everything together. - Everything else:
- 1/4 cup / 35g pine nuts or almonds
- 150g / 5 oz baby spinach leaves
- 60g / 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
How to Put It All Together
- Getting the Pumpkin Ready:
- Turn your oven to 220C/430F (regular) or 200C/390F (fan). Spread pumpkin chunks on a tray with some oil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 20-25 minutes until they're soft and a bit golden. Let them cool down a little.
- Mixing Your Salad:
- Put your spinach in a big bowl and add a bit of dressing.
- Toss in your warm pumpkin, feta chunks, and nuts.
- Stir everything gently, then put on some extra dressing and toppings before serving.
Extra Tips
You can play around with this salad's temp, greens, and how much dressing you use:
How Much It Makes and Food Stats
Makes enough for 2-3 people as a main or 4-5 as a side. Each portion has about 264 calories (13% of what you need daily).
My Thoughts and Ideas
This dish doesn't have gluten and you can change it up for different diets (no dairy, vegan, etc.). You might want to try throwing in pomegranate seeds or switching up the dressing.
Ways to Switch It Up
Add some pomegranate for a fancy touch, swap in different nuts for extra crunch, or try new dressing combos that match your taste buds.
Great for Cold Months
Works really well during fall and winter. The warm pumpkin makes it cozy, and you can add festive things like cranberries when the holidays come around.
Fits Different Diets
You can tweak the recipe for vegans, folks who can't do dairy, or people watching carbs by using different cheese options and low-carb dressings.
Last Thoughts: Always a Winner
This mix brings together warm pumpkin, soft feta, and fresh greens with flavors you can change up to make a fantastic dish that works for pretty much any time or event.