Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Lentil Salad
Hubby and I have been on a big lentil kick. They’re so easy to make, great for you, and delicious. I saw this salad recently on Smitten Kitchen and knew I needed to make it this week. I used the lentils I had on hand, so I didn’t get the pretty black and orange salad that Deb got, but that’s ok, it’s still pretty freaking awesome.
Hubby and I really enjoyed this salad. It’s very hearty and filling. We ate it for a midafternoon snack and almost didn’t need dinner that night. I’ve written the recipe as I made it below, be sure to click through to Smitten Kitchen to get the original recipe.
This is unfortunately one of those dishes that is difficult to get a great photo of… But it’s really good so I had to post about it. Don’t hate on lentils just because they’re not pretty!
One Year Ago: Apple Cranberry Cake Pie
Two Years Ago: Pie Crust
Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese, and Lentil Salad
Yield: 3-6
Ingredients:
3/4 cup black or green lentils
6 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash or sugar pumpkin (1-inch cubes)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup soft crumbled goat cheese
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus additional to taste
~1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika and salt. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet and roast 20 minutes. Flip pieces and roast for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until tender. Cool.
Meanwhile, soak lentils for 10 minutes in a small bowl, then drain. Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then drain and cool.
Combine lentils, squash, half of goat cheese, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper and extra vinegar, if desired. Serve with remaining goat cheese to sprinkle.
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen, originally from Bon Appetit
Boston area readers, don’t forget that I’m selling pies for Pie In the Sky. The cost of your pie will feed someone in need for an entire week! Please consider buying a pie for a good cause.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I like to stuff my squash with something savory, like spicy sausage stuffing but your dish makes me re-think the whole concept!
WOW this looks so good! Thank you for this recipe!
I’m so glad you liked this. It is absolutely one of our favorite side dishes this time of year. Your pics are beautiful!
what an awesome recipe!!! keeping it in mind…..
This looks so delicious! I have an acorn squash sitting on my counter at home…
This looks awesome! I roasted an acorn squash the other night and chopped it up and threw it in a salad. You’re making me wish I had stuffed it instead though!
I linked to this recipe from Examiner. 🙂
This is awesome! Thanks for the post, the pics are great. Have never tried this before, it is a must. Also we will certainly be telling all of our walnut loving friends about it. This is a perfect post for #WalnutWednesday!
These looks fantastic!! great post 🙂
WOW – these do look like the perfect side dish. Will definitely have to give them a trial run before turkey day.
hmm… is this something you think could be adapted for use with butternut squash? Obviously not really “stuffed”. I have a butternut that I’m looking for something to do with…
Yum!!! 😀
What a delicious and tasty looking recipe! It just screams Fall!
Interesting read: “Cherry Brownie Cheesecake | Beantown Baker”. Thanks for sharing this!