I am exhausted tonight so this will be a short post! So it goes in a house with baby and multiple generations! I loved this salad. Perfect as a side dish – or if you want, add a few shavings of parmesan, or some salty feta, or a couple dollops of creamy sweet ricotta – or if you are vegan, a few chickpeas – for the protein, and you have lunch! Best served cold, the butternut is oven roasted ahead of time and refrigerated. So when it comes time to serving, its really a matter of putting it all together and devouring.
I love the golden orange happiness of butternut, and I adore how easy it is to cook. Its forgiving, and its natural sweetness automatically caramelises in a hot oven, so you dont really need to add anything in the way of herbs or spices – the vegetable flavours itself beautifully. This is a meal I crave over and over again. I love juxtaposition in my food – the spicy, slightly bitter bite of arugula, and the sweet creamy richness of the butternut are wonderful partners. They compliment and play off each other and make me very happy.
Serves 8 – 10 as a side or 4 with left overs for lunch or dinner
- 1 medium / large butternut, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 4 – 5 cloves of garlic
- 2 – 3 cups (I used about 1 packet) arugula / rocket or other bitter green salad leaf
- 1/4 cup olive oil + 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Toppings: sprouts, cheese (parmesan, feta or ricotta are my favourites, but go wild – try it with blue cheese if you want!), toasted walnuts or pine nuts, avocado
The night before (or morning before) you intend to serve the salad, prepare the butternut.
Preheat your oven to 190 C.
Peel, seed and roughly chop 1 medium to large butternut. Put in a bowl, and pour over 2 tbsp olive oil. Using your hands, mix well, ensuring that all the butternut is coated.
Arrange the butternut on a jelly roll pan or other large shallow baking pan, in a single layer. Salt and pepper well. Arrange the garlic cloves amongst the butternut.
Roast for about 45 minutes, or until you see the butternut beginning to caramelise. I usually try and flip the butternut over half way through the cooking time as well, so that both sides get a bit of browning.
Take out of the oven and let cool to room temperature. Return to bowl, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, take the butternut out of the fridge.
Fish the garlic cloves out of the butternut mixture. They should be very soft. Pop them into a small bowl or cup and mash the garlic with a fork. Whisk in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Find a lovely large flat serving platter or plate. Strew the baby arugula over the plate in one beautiful bright green layer.
Tumble the butternut over, and pour about half the dressing over. Reserve the rest to serve on the side if you wish.
Sprinkle one or two toppings of your choice over all, and serve.
Perfect for a hot summer’s day!
delectable 
Golden Orange Happiness 🙂 Yummmmm xox