Kale Caesar Salad With Roasted Delicata & Pine Nuts
A winter-forward kale Caesar salad topped with roasted delicata “croutons,” toasted pine nuts, shaved parmesan, and Caesar dressing. Built for entertaining: hearty, bright, and beautifully seasonal.
Ingredients
Kale Caesar Salad
- 1 Bunch Kale Destemmed And Finely Chopped (About 3 Cups)
- 1 Large Shallot Thinly Sliced
- 1/2 Lemon Juiced
- 1/3 Cup Pine Nuts Or Chopped Walnuts
- 1/3 Cup Shaved Parmesan
- 1/3 Cup Caesar Dressing Store-Bought Or Homemade
- Flaky Sea Salt To Finish
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Finish
Roasted Delicata “Croutons”
- 1 Medium Delicata Squash About 1 Pound, Deseeded And Cut Into 1/2-Inch Cubes
- 2 Tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Divided
- 1/4 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan
- 1 Clove Garlic Finely Chopped Or Grated
- 3 Tbsp Hardy Fresh Herbs Finely Chopped (Rosemary, Sage, Or Thyme)
- Kosher Salt To Season
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Season
Instructions
- Preheat And Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F with a rack in the top third. Line a sheet pan with parchment (or foil). Prep the squash, herbs, shallot, lemon, and kale.
- Season The Squash: Add delicata cubes to the sheet pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, toss, and spread into an even layer.
- Make The Coating: In a bowl, combine panko, grated parmesan, garlic, and chopped herbs. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss until evenly moistened.
- Coat The Squash: Sprinkle the coating over the squash and press gently to adhere.
- Roast And Toast: Roast 20–25 minutes, until tender and golden. In the last 3–4 minutes, add pine nuts (or walnuts) to the pan to toast. Remove from the oven.
- Massage The Kale: Add chopped kale to a large bowl with sliced shallot and a good pinch of salt. Squeeze lemon juice over top and massage until vibrant and softened.
- Dress And Assemble: Add Caesar dressing to the kale and toss well. Top with delicata croutons, toasted pine nuts, and shaved parmesan. Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper as appropriate.
Notes
Entertaining Note: Serve on a wide platter so the squash stays visible and crisp at the edges. This salad pairs beautifully with olives, pickled vegetables, and another contrasting cheese if you’re building a winter board.
Gluten-Free: Swap panko for gluten-free panko (or crushed gluten-free crackers).
Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free Caesar dressing and replace parmesan with a dairy-free parmesan alternative (or nutritional yeast).