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Winter Squash Quinoa Salad

Add this Winter Squash Quinoa Salad with broccoli to your next dinner, or eat a bowl as a meal on its own! With the warm flavors of curry and a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad - with the warm flavors of curry plus a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad

I’m back with another Sunday Supper special for you! This week we’re focusing on winter salads and I’m so glad because we’ve sorely needed to get back on the healthy train in our house!

There are so many types of salad beyond iceberg lettuce, so be sure to check out the other great recipes at the end of the post.

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad - with the warm flavors of curry plus a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

The inspiration for this salad comes from one of my favorite soups – curried butternut squash soup.

I love the play of rich and creamy and against the sweetness of the squash and warm curry spices.

Squash is most definitely a winter comfort food veggie and you can use your favorite in this recipe – butternut, kabocha, acorn, etc.

We get so many versatile uses from squash including this Winter Squash Feta Flatbread.

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad - with the warm flavors of curry plus a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

To amplify the curried butternut soup inspiration, I added a teaspoon of curry powder to my quinoa while it cooked. 

Quinoa is a staple here, especially when we cut down on eating meat.

It’s so easy to transform into a filling salad like Quinoa Salad with Lemon Artichoke Pesto!

I wanted a green vegetable for this salad as well and chose broccoli.

It might be my all-time favorite vegetable. Fresh broccoli is available all year long, but did you know that it supposedly tastes best when harvested in cool weather?

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad - with the warm flavors of curry plus a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

The dressing for this salad is a nutty tahini sauce. I’m currently obsessed with tahini!

Ok, ok, that’s a lie…I’ve been in love with it for quite a while (see my recipe for Tahini Cookies) and the passion hasn’t died.

If you’ve never tried it, it’s a paste made from sesame seeds that’s reminiscent of peanut butter. It’s YUMazing.

Go ahead and toss the salad in the dressing or serve it deconstructed style!

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad - with the warm flavors of curry plus a nutty tahini dressing, this is the perfect cold weather dish!

Winter Squash Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Winter squash, broccoli and quinoa combine with the warm flavors of curry and tahini for the perfect cold weather salad!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 lb squash (butternut, kabocha, etc), peeled and diced
  • 1/2 lb broccoli, cut into florets
  • 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Steam squash and broccoli until tender, about 5 minutes. OR, roast vegetables at 400°F with a drizzle of olive oil until tender, about 15 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the quinoa. In a saucepan, combine quinoa with water, curry powder and a pinch of salt. Bring to boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

For the dressing:

  1. In a mason jar or small bowl, thoroughly combine the tahini, water, lemon juice and maple syrup. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  2. Toss vegetables and quinoa with the dressing and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 113mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 8gSugar: 13gProtein: 10g

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below! Or tag @kitchengidget on Instagram with the hashtag #kitchengidget


Easy Winter Squash Quinoa Salad with butternut squash, broccoli and a warm tahini dressing!
You might also like this bright Quinoa Salad with Lemon Artichoke Pesto:
Lemon Artichoke Pesto Quinoa Salad

Lemon Artichoke Pesto Quinoa Salad

Looking for more winter squash recipes? Try this appetizer that also doubles as a vegetarian dinner!

Winter Squash Feta Flatbread recipe with caramelized red onions and feta cheese. Great with butternut, kabocha, acorn squash or even sweet potatoes!

#SundaySupper Winter Salads

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Salad plus more Winter Salad Recipes #SundaySupper from Sunday Supper Movement

Sunday Supper Movement

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Sue Lau

Friday 4th of March 2016

Such a good hearty salad!

Rebekah

Friday 4th of March 2016

Definitely satisfying. Thank you, Sue!

Lynne @ MyGourmetConnection

Thursday 25th of February 2016

This is such a healthy, flavorful combination of ingredients - I like that you used maple syrup in the dressing. It must be a nice pairing with the curry in the quinoa.

Monica

Wednesday 24th of February 2016

Love this! I work from home and this is the perfect lunch.

Rebekah

Wednesday 24th of February 2016

Thanks! It's been my lunch for the past couple of days. :-)

Jessica {Swanky Recipes}

Tuesday 23rd of February 2016

I seriously can't get enough quinoa this time of year. Love how easy it is to make. Sounds incredibly appetizing!

Rebekah

Wednesday 24th of February 2016

Agree! Way less fussy than rice and full of nutrients.

Felesha

Monday 22nd of February 2016

How beautiful and healthy looking! Thanks for sharing!

Rebekah

Wednesday 24th of February 2016

Thank you, Felesha!

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