Curly Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallots

Kale is a popular "super-food," full of nutrients and fiber. I like the look of the curly kale, but Lacinato "dinosaur" kale may be used instead. Also, leeks or sweet onion may be substituted for the shallots. This tasty salad is dressed ahead of time which makes it the perfect dish for a pot-luck or party. 

Curly Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallots

Ingredients:

     Salad

6 c butternut squash, peeled & cut into 1/2" cubes

3 - 4 large shallots, peeled and sliced very thinly into rings

3 T EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) divided

Sea salt 

Freshly ground black pepper

10 - 12 c curly kale, cleaned, with stems torn away and torn or cut into bite size pieces

    Dressing

1/4 c freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 c EVOO

1/2 t sea salt

1/4 t freshly ground pepper

    Optional Additions

1/3 c toasted pumpkin seeds (or toasted walnut pieces)

4 oz. crumbled Feta or other goat cheese

1/3 c dried cranberries

1.  Preheat oven to 350. Use 2 non-stick baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Spread out butternut squash on one sheet and the shallot rings on the other. Drizzle each with 1 1/2 T EVOO, sprinkle with sea salt & pepper, and toss well to cover. Roast until golden: squash for 45 minutes and shallots for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking time. 

2.  Place kale in 4 quart serving bowl. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over kale, and mix with your fingers, squeezing and massaging the dressing into the kale leaves. Let stand for 30 minutes.

3.  Add butternut squash and shallots to the dressed kale and toss. Add any of the optional ingredients at this time and toss again.

Serves 10 - 12 as a side salad or 8 as a main dish.