Over the summer the Sous Chef and I had a meeting that ran a little longer than expected. By the time we left the meeting we were both super hungry. It was a super hot day and the closest option that seemed appealing was Souplantation. Salads on hot summer days are generally a good lunch option! I was going through the rows of fresh vegetables and piling my favorite combination on my plate when I came upon a brand new option, one that I had never seen in a salad, let alone in a raw form. Behold!

WHAT? Butternut Squash in a salad bar?! RAW??!!! Huh??!! I certainly had to try it, and what do you know it’s actually good. I was super excited because I knew exactly how I was going to use this new discovery in the fall. I started thinking and experimenting with flavors once butternut squash became available in the early fall. I knew that I wanted a colorful salad, specifically one that echoed fall colors. I also knew that it was important to use vegetables that did not overpower the sweet and delicate flavor of the raw butternut squash.

I hope you will enjoy this salad as much as we did! This salad is great addition to your Thanksgiving table as well! 

Ingredients (6 to 8 servings)

3 cups butternut squash, grated
1 cup carrots, grated
1 cup cilantro, packed
1 cup pomegranate
2 tbsp shallots, fine diced
1/2 cup lime juice
1 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp Angelica Powder (Golpar)
salt & pepper

I highly suggest grating your own butternut squash and carrots. Slice open the squash and remove seeds.

Grate butternut squash with either a food processor or a regular grater.

Rough chop cilantro.

Add butternut squash, carrot, cilantro and pomegranate to a mixing bowl.

Fine dice shallot and place in a small mixing bowl. Juice lime then add to shallots. Add Angelica powder followed by salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour oil while whisking the ingredients in the bowl. Once the dressing is ready toss the salad just before serving.

Recipes from Pomegranate Week 2012
Eggplant With Pomegranate & Mint Dressing
Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free Pomegranate Soup
Cucumber & Pomegranate Salad

Recipes from Pomegranate Week 2011
Pomegranate Ice-Cream
Potatoes with Pomegranate
Pomegranate Jello

Recipes from Pomegranate Week 2010
POM Wonderful Dinner Party ~ Persian Ruby
How to Open & Seed a Pomegranate
Rice with Pistachios & Pomegranate Arils
Pomegranate & Lime Glazed Cornish Hens
Pomegranate Granita

Recipes from Pomegranate Week 2009
Persians’ Love Affair with Pomegranate
Pomegranate Juice
Khoresht Fesenjan ~ Persian Pomegranate & Walnut Stew