Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty fall salad with roasted pumpkin, chickpeas, feta, and balsamic dressing over fresh mixed greens.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 6 to 8 cups peeled and diced sugar pumpkin
02 - 4 heaping cups mixed leafy greens (kale, arugula, spinach)
03 - 2 cloves garlic

→ Legumes

04 - 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Dairy

05 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Oils and Vinegars

06 - ¼ cup olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

→ Condiments and Spices

09 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 - 2 teaspoons garlic powder
11 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
12 - ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
15 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Set oven to 400°F (204°C).
02 - Place peeled and diced pumpkin in a large baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over pumpkin and toss to coat evenly.
03 - Sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper over the pumpkin. Toss thoroughly to ensure uniform seasoning.
04 - Roast pumpkin in the preheated oven for 22 to 24 minutes until tender but not mushy, testing with a fork for doneness. Remove and allow to cool.
05 - Mince garlic cloves finely. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until emulsified.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled roasted pumpkin, drained chickpeas, and mixed leafy greens.
07 - Pour balsamic vinaigrette over the pumpkin mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
08 - Transfer salad to serving dish and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - Use smaller sugar pumpkins for roasting as they yield tender flesh and sweeter flavor.
02 - Peel pumpkin carefully on a stable cutting surface to avoid slipping.
03 - Leftover salad can be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days, though greens may wilt over time.