We Croats are not a big squash eating nation. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that squashes were mainly grown as pig food. Sure, we have a few old local recipes, but foods like pumpkin pie, soup or roast squash would only be looked down on with utter suspicion. But, we entered the 21^st century, after all, and squashes are migrating more and more onto our tables. Supermarkets are also flooded with many squash varieties, so we’re experimenting and expanding our horizons.

This salad is a real autumn treat. The pomegranate seeds give it a nice crisp and roasted Kabocha makes it hearty and filling. Oh, and if you’re wondering what to do with leftover pomegranate seeds, fear not. Here is a muffin recipe that you can quickly whip up. You’re welcome. 🙂

INGREDIENTS:

(Yields 2 servings / 1.03 EUR per serving / 2.06 EUR for all)

½ small Kabocha squash (0.67 EUR)

1 tbsp olive oil (0.04 EUR)

Pinch of salt (0.01 EUR)

Crack of freshly ground black pepper (0.01 EUR)

10 leaves of chicory salad (0.40 EUR)

2 handfuls of rocket salad (0.40 EUR)

1 small onion (0.07 EUR)

2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (0.13 EUR)

For the dressing:

1 tbsp mustard (0.07 EUR)

1 tbsp olive oil (0.04 EUR)

1-2 tbsp lemon juice – from ½ a lemon (0.13 EUR)

2 tbsp yogurt – use non-dairy for vegan version (0.07 EUR)

Pinch of salt (0.01 EUR)

Crack of freshly ground black pepper (0.01 EUR)

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 200°C. Line baking tray with parchment paper and set aside. Wash squash, halve, discard seeds and carefully cut into half-moons, keeping the skin intact. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper, spread on prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, until softened and slightly charred. Allow to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, wash and roughly chop chicory and toss together with washed rocket. Pat to dry or use a salad spinner and divide salads between two plates. Thinly slice onion, placing on bed of salad, topped then with cooled Kabocha.

Assemble dressing in a small bowl by whisking together mustard and olive oil until frothy. Add lemon juice, yogurt, salt and pepper and whisk until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning. Drizzle salad with dressing and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

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Mi Hrvati nismo baš neki narod od tikvi. To vjerojatno ima puno veze sa činjenicom da su se tikve uglavnom koristile kao hrana za pajceke. Naravno, imamo par starinskih narodnih recepata (bućnica!), ali na jela kao što su pita od bundeve, juha ili pečena bundeva gleda se sa sumnjom i nepovjerenjem. Ali, ipak smo ušli u 21. stoljeće i tikve sve više migriraju prema našim stolovima. Supermarketi su prepravljeni šarenilom i izborom tikvi, a mi pokušavamo eksperimentirati i širiti svoje horizonte.

Ova salata je prava jesenska poslastica. Sjemenke nara daju joj divnu hrskavost, a pečena kabocha je zasitna i izdašna. A ako se pitate što ćete sa sjemenkama nara koje vam ostanu, ne brinite. Evo vam jedan recept za mafine koje možete za čas smutiti. Nema na čemu. 🙂

SASTOJCI:

(Za 2 porcije / 7,64 kn po porciji / 15,28 kn za sve)

½ male Kabocha tikve (5,00 kn)

1 žlica maslinovog ulja (0,33 kn)

Prstohvat soli (0,01 kn)

Prstohvat svježe mljevenog crnog papra (0,05 kn)

10 listova endivije (3,00 kn)

2 pregršta rukole (3,00 kn)

1 mali luk (0,50 kn)

2 žlice sjemenki nara (1,00 kn)

Za dresing:

1 žlica senfa (0,50 kn)

1 žlica maslinovog ulja (0,33 kn)

1-2 žlice soka od limuna, od ½ limuna (1,00 kn)

2 žlice jogurta, za vegansku verziju koristiti jogurt od soje ili orašastih plodova (0,50 kn)

Prstohvat soli (0,01 kn)

Prstohvat svježe mljevenog crnog papra (0,05 kn)

PRIPREMA:

Zagrijte pečnicu na 200°C. Obložite protvan za pečenje masnim papirom i stavite na stranu. Operite i prepolovite tikvu, izvadite sjemenke, pa oprezno skupa sa kožom narežite na polumjesece. Pomiješajte sa žlicom ulja, solju i paprom, raširite po pripremljenom protvanu pa pecite 30 minuta, dok ne tikva ne omekša i ne karamelizira se po rubovima. Pustite da se malo ohladi.

U međuvremenu, operite i grubo narežite endiviju, pa pomiješajte sa opranom rukolom. Lagano posušite sa kuhinjskim ručnikom ili izvrtite u cjedilu za salatu, pa podijelite salatu na dva tanjura. Tanko narežite luk i poslažite po salati, a po vrhu rasporedite ohlađenu tikvu.

Složite dresing u maloj zdjelici, tako da istučete senf i maslinovo ulje dok ne postanu pjenasti. Dodajte sok od limuna, jogurt, sol i papar pa miješajte dok se sastojci ne sjedine. Probajte, pa još začinite po potrebi. Pokapajte dresing po salati i na kraju po vrhu razbacajte sjemenke nara. Poslužite odmah.