Harvest Salad – Thanksgiving Salad

The most Harvest-y harvest salad there ever was.

This is the perfect nutrient dense, flavorful harvest salad to bring to Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving. The diversity of flavors blend together so perfectly. Did I mention the dressing? It will be a new staple.

Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us.

Welcome to your new favorite salad recipe. I loved creating this series. The holidays are my favorite tie of year and favorite time of year to cook and bake. It feels so effortless in this time. Daily inspiration is everywhere. So, buckle up because its going to be an amazing series of food and fun for Thanksgiving!

I also am now an amazon affiliate so want to disclose that I do have links to products I use in case you guys are curious! Now here’s the part where I drop all my links to my socials for you. Appreciate you!

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The final spot, where big things are happening… YouTube. I am starting long form content on there and will be doing tutorials on cooking. Super excited about this and would love to see you over there.

Why A Harvest Salad?

Why not? Salads are literally one of my favorite meals. I think people would not believe that but its true. Salads are a place where you can have so many different flavors and crazily fit together? Not only do they fit together, they fuel your body with fresh, raw and cooked vegetables. You can add protein of all sorts!

So. A Harvest Salad was the call. All that is in this salad is amazing but I have to shout out the dressing again. This dressing is a Greek yogurt base. The first I have made and it slaps.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and nourish your body and family with the goodness of it!! Now, on to the health benefits. You know I love to talk about it.

Health Benefits

I chose 3 ingredients to highlight the benefits. Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Radicchio.

Acorn Squash

• Rich in Nutrients: Good source vitamin A (from beta-carotene), which is essential for good vision, immune function, and skin health. It also contains vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system, promotes collagen production for skin, and acts as an antioxidant. Contains key minerals like potassium and magnesium.
  
• High in Fiber: Which aids digestion and supports gut health. A high-fiber diet can help prevent constipation, regulate bowel movements, and promote a healthy digestive system.
  
• Antioxidant-Rich: The vibrant orange and yellow flesh of acorn squash contains powerful antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can lower the risk of chronic diseases.
  
• Promotes Immune Health: The Vitamin A and vitamin C in acorn squash helps in maintaining a strong immune system. Vitamin A supports the function of immune cells, while vitamin C enhances the immune response and protects the body from infections and illnesses.
  
• Promotes Healthy Skin: The beta-carotene in acorn squash acts as an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants. It also supports skin cell regeneration and repair, contributing to a healthy, youthful complexion.
  
• Regulates Blood Sugar: It has a low glycemic index (GI), which means it releases sugar into the bloodstream slowly, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes. The fiber in acorn squash also slows the absorption of sugar.
  
• Anti-Inflammatory: The antioxidants in acorn squash have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

Pomegranates

• Rich in Antioxidants: Particularly punicalagins and anthocyanins, which help neutralize free radicals in the body. These antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases, aging, and inflammation.
  
• Cancer-Fighting Potential: Pomegranate contains compounds like ellagic acid and punicalagins, which have been found to exhibit anti-cancer properties. These compounds can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and may reduce the risk of cancers such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
  
• Promotes Digestive Health: Pomegranate is a good source of dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. Also, the juice has been shown to have mild antibacterial effects, which can help reduce harmful bacteria in the gut, promoting a healthier digestive system.
  
• Improves Memory and Brain Function: The antioxidants in pomegranate may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
  
• Supports Skin Health: The vitamin C and punicalagins, help protect the skin from UV damage and environmental stressors. Pomegranate has been shown to improve skin hydration, reduce signs of aging, and support collagen production.
  
• Supports Immune Health: Pomegranates are a good source of vitamin C, which plays a key role in immune function. Vitamin C supports the production of white blood cells, which help fight infections. The antioxidants also help boost the immune system by protecting cells from oxidative damage and supporting the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
  
• Promotes Urinary Health: They have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote a healthy urinary tract. Some studies suggest that pomegranate may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and improve overall urinary function.
  
• Improves Exercise Performance: The antioxidant content may help improve exercise endurance and reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Studies have shown that drinking pomegranate juice can increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote faster recovery after physical activity.

Radicchio

• Rich in Antioxidants: Which help protect the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. One of the most potent antioxidants in radicchio is anthocyanin, the compound that gives it its deep red-purple color. Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer.
  
• Supports Digestive Health: Radicchio is a great source of dietary fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive system by helping regulate bowel movements and preventing constipation.
  
• Good for Heart Health: Radicchio contains several nutrients that support heart health: Fiber, Potassium and Anthocyanins.
  
• Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. Has a huge role in regulating calcium in the bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Vitamin C: This vitamin is essential for the immune system, skin health, and collagen production. Folate: Very important for cell growth and repair, making it an excellent food for pregnant women, as it helps prevent birth defects in the developing baby. Calcium and Magnesium: Which help with bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission.
  
• Supports Liver Health: Traditionally used as a digestive tonic and is thought to help support liver health. It contains compounds that stimulate bile production, which aids in digestion and the breakdown of fats.
  
• Detoxification: Radicchio contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that support the body’s detoxification processes, particularly by promoting the liver’s ability to detoxify and eliminate waste products from the body. The high water content in radicchio also helps flush out toxins and promotes kidney function.

PS. I am not a Dr. this is not a substitute for medical advice I am simply stating facts about ingredients I use. If you have health concerns please contact a dr.

The Recipe:

What you may need:

• Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I use Kosterina, and it is quality. Highly recommend. [This link will give you 15% off]. I think quality olive oil is especially important when we are using it on salads or drinking it. Because we are taking it straight in.
  
• Mixing bowls – I really recommend ditching the plastic ones and go for heat safe metallic. I use these bowls. They are amazing for mixing ingredients. You don’t need something crazy fancy.
  
• A beautiful salad bowl. Everyone needs a salad bowl like this. I got mine at a yard sale. It was such a lucky find.

Ingredients:

For the Acorn Squash bake:

• 1 Medium Acorn Squash
• Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I use Kosterina, here’s a 15% off link if you’re interested. 🙂
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and pepper

The Maple Dressing:

• 1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt
• 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp EVOO
• 1 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 Tbsp Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
• A Dash of Salt and Pepper

The Harvest Salad:

• The Cooked Acorn Squash
• Green Leaf Lettuce – I get mine organic at whole foods
• Whole Small Radicchio – Chopped rough
• 1 Apple of Choice – I chose a pink lady
• 10-15 Cherry Tomatoes – I chose the colorful ones
• Shredded Chicken – I used my left over chicken, but you do not have to add chicken to this unless you want to
• Candied Pecans (or regular) – A good handful. I chose to candy my own
• Pomegranate Seeded – I used around half of one, I know they have seeded containers of them at trader joes
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Sprinkling
• Fresh Parmesan for Topping

Method:

1. First we are going preheat the oven to 400F/204C and wash our acorn squash, cut it in half, scoop all the seeds out.
2. Then we are going to cut the acorn squash into pretty strips as seen above. [Like little half flowers].
3. Place the squash into a mixing bowl and add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, maple and evoo.

4. Line parchment paper onto a baking sheet. On the parchment paper grate a bunch of parmesan.
5. Then you are going to lay your squash out evenly on the pan and then grate more parmesan on top!
6. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake for another 15 minutes.

7. When the acorn squash is done it should come out looking like this. (While its cooking you can start the next steps).

8. Now we will take our lettuce and clean it very well. Then we are doing to roughly chop it and place it in our salad bowl.

9. Take your Radicchio, wash it and chop it up in rough, long chops. Add it to the salad.

10. The apple. Wash the apple and cut it into thin slices. Add it to the salad.

In hindsight, I wish I would have put the chicken in after the Radicchio and then added the apple and tomatoes. So, do that instead.

11. Now we will wash out tomatoes, cut them in half twice, add them to the salad.
12. Then you are going to add your shredded chicken if you desire chicken in this.

13. Take you pomegranate and cut it up and get about half of the seeds out. Place those seeds into the salad bowl.

14. Now we lay or finished squash over our salad. Add the pecans.

15. The dressing. Mix the Greek yogurt, Dijon, maple, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix all together until very smooth. Add it to the salad.
16. You are DONE. Enjoy the best Harvest Salad ever!

Other Recipes You will Love:

My Dill & Grape Salad – This is up there on my ‘favorite salads’ list. It’s so good.
Orzo Salad with Vegetables – My all time fav. This salad is filling and so tasty.
Crockpot Chicken Meatball Coconut Curry – Nutrient dense, filling and healing.
Italian Meatball Soup – Nothing hits home quite like soup.
Loaded Egg Salad – This is one of my favorite protein packed breakfasts.

Comments/Questions?

I love hearing from each and every one of you. So please feel free to comment below how this worked out for you, if you have a question, or if you just want to say hi!
Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram and tag me so I can see your delicious salads!
Thank you so much for being here! I appreciate you all and your support!