Delicata Squash Salad

This vegan delicata squash salad is a fall harvest salad made with fresh kale, roasted squash and sweet potatoes, apples, and an easy tahini dressing.

Each fall, when the weather begins to change and pumpkin spice foods begin to line the grocery store shelves, I watch the produce section.

I'm on the lookout for winter squash.

When the squash arrive, I almost inevitably buy more than I intended. I never realize just how many squash I'm buying until I start loading them into the car.

Happily, winter squash store well, and we can enjoy them all winter long.

If you follow along with my Instagram stories, you've probably seen my squash enthusiasm.

I make lots of roasted spaghetti squash and Instant Pot spaghetti squash, and then turn it into spaghetti squash marinara and salmon spaghetti squash bake.

We also love spicy butternut squash soup, butternut squash quiche, butternut squash galette, and roasted acorn squash slices.

But guys, there's another winter squash that I think is absolutely fabulous.

Delicata squash.

Compared with other winter squash, it's easy to cut through, cooks quickly, and has a thin, edible skin.

I love this cute little squash.

Roasted delicata squash is a fabulous veggie side dish, but sometimes I want this fun squash to be the star of the meal.

This delicata squash salad is a hearty fall dish packed with nutritious raw kale, roasted squash and sweet potatoes, sweet, crisp apple, and an easy tahini dressing.

Want more fall salads? Try making broccoli raisin salad, spinach mandarin orange salad, kale apple salad, brussels sprouts + persimmon salad, and a shaved brussels sprouts salad.

Where to Get Delicata Squash

I usually buy mine at Trader Joe's.

Otherwise, check the grocery store nearest you with the best produce selection (such as Whole Foods), or visit a farmer's market.

You can also grow your own delicata squash.

How to Prepare Delicata Squash

There's no need to peel delicata squash.

Instead, simply rinse the squash to get rid of any dirt.

Cut the squash length-wise, and then scoop out any seeds and membrane.

Next, thinly slice the squash into half moons.

Roast the Squash + Sweet Potatoes

Add the squash, some sliced sweet potato, and olive oil to a bowl. Add paprika, sea salt, and a dash of cayenne.

Toss it all together.

Lay the veggies in a single layer on a sheet pan, and then roast them until the veggies are tender.

Assemble the Delicata Squash Salad

While the squash and potatoes roast, get everything else ready.

Start by massaging some kale until it's tender. That just means that you'll rub it with your hands until it doesn't feel hard and stiff.

Whisk together the tahini dressing ingredients, and toss a little bit of the dressing with the kale.

Kale salads taste better when there is dressing on each leaf.

Thinly slice an apple. I like to use Honeycrisp apples in this salad, but any sweet apple will work well.

When the squash and sweet potatoes are done cooking, begin arranging the salad.

I like to add the apples, squash, and sweet potatoes in sections (because it looks pretty!), but you could also simply toss all the ingredients together.

Drizzle the rest of the dressing over the salad, and serve it right away!