Spaghetti Squash, Pomegranate & Goat Cheese Salad

Gosh, how I LOVE spaghetti squash!

And I think cold salads have become my favorite way to enjoy it.

This version has such a Christmas feel to it, I probably should’ve come up with it a month ago…

All that’s missing is the pine branches, dont’cha think? 😉

If this doesn’t really turn you on because you think you’re not a big fan of squash, you might want to reconsider your position!

I used to be just like that, you know. I did NOT care for squash.

At all!

And that held true for ANY kind of squash. Just the word squash would actually put me off.

But then I decided to start fresh and try it again with an open mind.

And this time, I fell in love. Totally in love.

Just looking at it now makes my mouth water.

I guess it probably helps that I conditioned my brain before each tasting and took extra care that each and every one of them would be a positive and exciting experience. I didn’t give my brain much of a choice!

I wish I was that crazy about pomegranate.

Although I really, truly appreciate the fruit, for some reason, I just can’t seem to bring myself to eat a full one on its own.

It just HAS to be a part of something.

You’ll never catch me seeding one, putting it in a bowl all by its lonesome and go at it with a spoon.

My daughter, however, is the complete opposite. She goes GAGA for pomegranate and could easily eat a dozen, just like that.

Me? I’m like meh… I’ll have a few handfuls of arils and be fed up already.

I really feel they need to be a part of something.

And it looks like I have decided that salads are just the thing. Hey, why not? I find it really works.

And this combination right here was just plain incredible.

So simple, yet bursting with flavor and crazy satisfying. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some turnips into your diet, too! Sadly, there’s a veggie that is too often forgotten or overlooked.

Even I, I’m afraid, have to plead guilty as charged. Even though I ADORE turnips (and always have), I seem to keep forgetting that they even exist.

Well, let me tell you, the memory of this salad sure will remind me of their existence, I can guarantee that. 

As a matter of fact, I have a huge one sitting in the fridge right now.

As well as 2 pomegranates…

I wonder is the 3 of them would like to play together? Or maybe I should save the pomegranates to make some kind of dessert…

Hmmmm… dessert! Yeah, why not?

Say, does anyone have a great idea for a pomegranate dessert?

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Spaghetti Squash, Pomegranate & Goat Cheese Salad

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 medium spaghetti squash, cooked and cooled* (warm would also work)
• 2 cups diced turnip, cooked and cooled
• the arils of one pomegranate
• 30 g toasted hazelnuts, chopped
• 15 g soft goat cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette

• The zest and juice of 1 orange
• 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp Himalayan or fine sea salt
• ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped

Instructions

• Start by making the vinaigrette by placing all the required ingredients to your small blender or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
• Remove the flesh from the spaghetti squash by scraping it delicately with a fork. Add that to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the rest of the ingredients, including the vinaigrette and stir very delicately.
• Divide between 2 shallow bowls and serve immediately, or keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving. The salad will be even tastier after the flavors got to mingle.
  

Notes

*To cook the spaghetti squash, preheat oven to 375F. Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Sprinkle both halves with a bit of salt and pepper and lay them face down in a shallow baking dish. Add about ¼ cup of water in the bottom of the pan, cover with foil and cook for approximately 30-40 minutes, until tender. Let cool slightly or completely before removing flesh with a fork. As for the turnip, I like to just steam it for a few minute until fork tender.

Author: Sonia! The Healthy Foodie

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