Butternut Farro Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

This nutty farro salad, is loaded with roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and toasted pecans, all topped with a tangy blood orange vinaigrette.

Butternut Farro Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Course: SaladCuisine: European
Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

25

minutes
Additional Time

30

minutes
Total Time

1 hr 15 mins

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • Vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoons — freshly squeezed blood orange juice

  • 1 tablespoon — white wine vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon — Dijon mustard

  • ½ teaspoon — maple syrup

  • ⅛ teaspoon — salt

  • ⅛ teaspoon — ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons — olive oil

  • Salad
  • 1 cup — water

  • ½ cup — pearled farro

  • ⅛ teaspoon — salt

  • 2 cups — cubed butternut squash (1/2-inch)

  • 1 cup — chopped red onion (1/2-inch)

  • 1 tablespoon — olive oil

  • 1 clove — garlic, minced

  • ¼ teaspoon — salt

  • 3 tablespoons — toasted pecans

  • 3 tablespoons — dried cranberries

  • 2 tablespoons — chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Whisk blood orange juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil while constantly whisking. Set vinaigrette aside.
  • Combine water, farro, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, toss butternut squash, onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt on the prepared baking sheet to evenly coat.
  • Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven; set aside to cool. Transfer farro to a medium-sized bowl to cool.
  • Combine cooled farro, butternut squash, pecans, cranberries, and parsley in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to combine. Refrigerate salad for 20 minutes before serving.

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