Winter Salad with Apples, Dried Cherries, and Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Discover this vibrant Winter Salad recipe, featuring fresh apple slices, dried cherries, and sweet roasted pumpkin seeds.
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A green salad is not something I often think of making during the cold of winter, but I often find myself craving the crisp of lettuce and the lightness of a salad paired with the heavier main dishes I typically make when it is cold outside. This winter salad fits the bill perfectly, using fresh seasonal ingredients like crisp apples, dried cherries, roasted pumpkin seeds, and a simple dressing. This salad is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a light side dish during colder months.
Why This Winter Salad is a Must-Try
Packed with great vitamins and minerals your body needs with a balance of both sweet and savory ingredients makes this salad both satisfying and refreshing. I like to add some blue cheese for an added flavor bump, but you can customize this to your wants/needs and dietary preferences.
Adding the apples, dried cherries and sweet roasted pumpkin seeds makes this a huge win for my family too. The kids go crazy for it, asking for salad most nights. (Yay for Mom!)
Ingredients
- 1 head of lettuce – I like organic green leaf lettuce, personally. I find it tastes the best and is the easiest on my stomach. But really, use whatever is your favorite. Spinach would work well too!
- 1 apple (sliced thin) – My favorite apples are hunnyz. They are sweet, a little tart and crunchy. And yes, the name is hard to say. Feel free to use your favorite!
- 1/4 cup dried cherries – Make sure you buy extra of these, they are so yummy!
- 1/4 cup sweet roasted pumpkin seeds – I show you how to make these here: SWEET ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS. Don’t skip this, I promise it is worth it. They also make a great snack!
- Optional: Blue cheese or feta crumbles – I prefer a good quality blue cheese on this salad as it pairs so well with the olive oil and balsamic glaze, but I understand, blue cheese is not for everyone.
- Dressing: Olive Oil and Balsamic Glaze – You could also use balsamic vinegar, but the glaze really elevates this. I buy mine at Trader Joes or Sprouts. Look for an organic one with minimal added ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the lettuce (wash, dry, and chop).
- Step 2: Slice the apple (it always helps when you have a good quality knife to do this) and add the dried cherries and pumpkin seeds.
- Step 3: Optionally, crumble blue cheese or feta over the salad.
- Step 4: Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and balsamic glaze and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfecting Your Winter Salad
No one likes a soggy salad so to keep the salad fresh I chop the lettuce and slice the apple, mix those together with the dried cherries in my serving bowl and put in the fridge to chill while I make the rest of my meal. Keeping the pumpkin seeds and dressing on the side until just before you are ready to serve will allow everything to stay crisp and fresh.
If you are not a fan of balsamic glaze a nice honey mustard dressing will pair well with this too (although I wouldn’t add the blue cheese as I am not sure how it would pair with the honey mustard). You could also replace the sweet roasted pumpkin seeds with candied pecans if you don’t have the time to whip those up.
Serving Suggestions
This salad pairs well with roasted meats or as part of a festive holiday spread. You could use it as a light lunch option or a refreshing starter for heavier winter meals too.
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on instagram @my.colorado.kitchen
Winter Salad
Discover this vibrant Winter Salad recipe, featuring fresh apple slices, dried cherries, and sweet roasted pumpkin seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 head of lettuce
- 1 apple (sliced thin)
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup sweet roasted pumpkin seeds
- Optional: Blue cheese or feta crumbles
- Dressing: Olive oil and balsamic vinegar glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce (wash, dry, and chop)
- Slice the apple and add the dried cherries and sweet roasted pumpkin seeds.
- Optionally, crumble blue cheese or feta over the salad.
- Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and balsamic glaze and serve immediately.
Notes
No one likes a soggy salad so to keep the salad fresh I chop the lettuce and slice the apple, mix those together with the dried cherries in my serving bowl and put in the fridge to chill while I make the rest of my meal. Keeping the pumpkin seeds and dressing on the side until just before you are ready to serve will allow everything to stay crisp and fresh.
If you are not a fan of balsamic glaze a nice honey mustard dressing will pair well with this too (although I wouldn't add the blue cheese as I am not sure how it would pair with the honey mustard). You could also replace the sweet roasted pumpkin seeds with candied pecans if you don't have the time to whip those up.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 CupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are calculated automatically and are approximate.
