This hearty Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad is packed with flavor from sweet caramelized pumpkin, lime, and chili. Yum!
There are few things I love more than roasted butternut pumpkin, otherwise known as butternut squash.
Once roasted, butternut pumpkin becomes sweeter, tender, and almost caramelized on the edges. Paired with lime zest and juice, as well as chili it is an amazing combination.
It wasn't a flavor combination I had tried before, that is until I stumbled upon it as I flicked through the pages of A Modern Way To Eat by Anna Jones.
Anna's recipe uses a combination of pumpkin, lime, chili and dukkah, which I absolutely love. However I wanted a heartier dish, so I decided to bulk it up with the addition of quinoa, herbs and lightly toasted sunflower seeds.
You can use whatever herbs or greens you like in this pumpkin quinoa salad. I've used a combination of parsley and mint, but try arugula, watercress, or baby kale. I've tried them all, and they all work well.
I've also made this using chickpeas in place of quinoa, as I love chickpeas and add them to everything for a filling protein and fiber boost.
This Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad also makes great leftovers. Just make sure the pumpkin has cooled before you add the greens.
And be sure to check out my other favorite pumpkin recipes too!
If you're here planning a meatless holiday menu, be sure to check out our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas Cookbooks too!
Lime, Chili and Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white quinoa
- ¾ cup water
- 1 butternut pumpkin medium, aka butternut squash
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 ½ cups mint and parsley leaves roughly torn
- 1 red chili pepper deseeded and finely chopped
- zest and juice of 2 limes
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa well under cold running water. Drain and place in a saucepan and cover with the water. If any quinoa has stuck to the sides of the saucepan use a pastry brush to brush it into the water. Place the saucepan over a high heat and bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to low. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender. I find the cooking times on Australian organic quinoa to pretty much always be 12 minutes on my stove top. Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave, covered, while the pumpkin is roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 200 celsius (400 Fahrenheit). Peel and deseed the butternut pumpkin and cut into bite sized cubes. You can leave the pumpkin pieces larger if you prefer, however you will need to adjust the cooking time. Place the pumpkin on a large tray and toss with enough olive oil to coat and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelised on the edges. Remove the pan from the oven and leave to cool.
- Place a small frying pan over a low heat and add the sunflower seeds and toast, stirring occasionally. Leave to cool.
- Fluff up the quinoa with a fork, season to taste, and place on a large serving plate. Top with the parsley and mint leaves, or whatever salad greens you like. Place the pumpkin on top, sprinkle over the chili, sunflower seeds. Finally, grate the lime over the top and finish with the juice of the limes and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
krishi says
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I definitely try this.
Eija says
Made this for dinner tonight with a couple of minor tweaks. I added some Danish feta and a couple of spring onions and I seasoned the quinoa with Ras El Hanout. Lovely, I will make it again.
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
Some lovely additions Eija 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it.
patternoftaste says
That looks amazing! I love the balance between sweet and spicy in this recipe.
Ewelina xx
Julia says
What a beautiful dish! It is so bright and cheery. It looks delicious.
Nicole says
Thank you Julia 🙂
Lennae says
Yum!!! This recipe sounds amazing, a good meal for lunch!
Lennae xxx
vegeTARAian says
Gorgeous salad Jen, looks wonderful
Luisa @ Looking for mama me says
wow that looks so good! I'm bookmarking this recipe for later!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love roasted pumpkin in a salad and quinoa is such a great addition to a salad. Winner recipe.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love roasted pumpkin, this salad would make a dream lunch!
Rosa says
A beautiful and scrumptious looking salad!
Cheers,
Rosa
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says
This salad is so beautiful and bright! I love roasted pumpkin too, and the way you have brightened up a usually winter vegetable to suit our still very summery weather is perfection 🙂