Fall Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
This Fall Kale Salad is bursting with flavor and packed with nutritious ingredients like apples + sweet potato. Balancing the sweetness with a little saltiness thanks to crispy prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese and topped with maple pumpkin spice pepitas, you'll be enjoying this crunchy kale salad all season long. Don't forget to whip up the homemade apple cider vinaigrette dressing for the most delicious finishing touch!
Ingredients
For the Maple Pumpkin Spice Pepitas
- ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
For the Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
- ⅓ cup shallot oil
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Fall Kale Salad
- 4 cups kale thinly sliced
- 1 medium apple thinly sliced
- 1 medium sweet potato diced
- 4 oz gorgonzola cheese
- 2 oz prosciutto
- ⅓ cup pecans
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Maple Pumpkin Spice Pepitas + Crispy Prosciutto. In a small mixing bowl, add the pumpkin seeds, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well to fully coat the pumpkin seeds and spread in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. On the same baking sheet, add prosciutto slices. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 8-10 minutes or until prosciutto is crisp.
- 2. Roast Sweet Potatoes & Build The Salad. Dice sweet potatoes and roast in a pan over medium high heat until tender. In a large salad bowl, add chopped kale, sliced apples, sweet potato, gorgonzola, dried cranberries and pecans. Once the prosciutto is crisp, crumble and add to the salad. The pepitas will be more like a brittle once they're baked so feel free to break into as large or small of pieces as you like and top the salad.
- 3. Mix The Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing. In a small mixing bowl, add shallot oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt, pepper and thyme. Mix well until combined, pour over salad and toss.
Notes
- You can easily customize this crunchy kale salad. Not a fan of sweet potato? Swap in butternut or kabocha squash instead! Don't tolerate dried cranberries? Use fresh pomegranate seeds in their place. You can also make it heartier by adding your favorite proteins like grilled chicken or tofu.
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