Having a salad on the Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to be an afterthought. There are so many delicious seasonal salad options for such a cozy fall meal and this one from Chef Citrin allows you to work in many of the fall holiday ingredients we love most.
Citrin designed this recipe to include as many harvest veggies as he could – perfect for small families that want to celebrate all the traditional Thanksgiving foods without making too many dishes. Make all of these recipes – the Harvest Salad, Blue Lake Beans, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and dessert we’ll share Monday – from the fresh, organic produce in just one box from Summerland Produce Co. Summerland’s Thanksgiving Box has all the produce required for each recipe and will come delivered (or shipped) to your doorstep anytime between now and November 27th. We’re giving away one box to a lucky reader today (find the details below)! Here’s Chef Citrin…
This fall chopped salad utilizes the colors, flavors and textures that we associate with autumn. In this single dish, with every bite you get all the savory, comforting, crunch, tart and sweetness that represent Thanksgiving.
Chef Josiah Citrin’s Thanksgiving Harvest Salad
Ingredients
1 head romaine lettuce
1 butternut squash
3 branches of celery
2 parsnips
1 ½ bunches of baby carrots
½ lb ruby red grapes
1 granny smith apple
1 cup walnuts
1 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water brought to a boil)
¼ cup dried cranberries
6 sage leaves, chopped
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Cranberry Base
1 cup fresh cranberries
½ cup brown sugar tightly packed
½ cup unsweetened cranberry juice
zest of 1 lemon, 1 orange and 1 lemon
1 clove
1 star anise
Vinaigrette
½ cup champagne vinegar
½ cup cranberry base
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ cup water
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups grapeseed oil
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Prepare the butternut squash: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel the squash, and separate the neck from the base. Cut the neck into rectangular logs 1 inch by 1 inch by 4 inches (use scraps and base to prepare a soup). Toss the squash with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 2 teaspoons sea salt. Lay them on a tray and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the squash is cooked through but still firm. Let cool and cut into cubes. Store squash in a container with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator. This can be done a day in advance.
Prepare the parsnips: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Peel the parsnips and cut into ¾ inch pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and a pinch salt. Lay the parsnips on a baking tray and cook for 30 minutes, or until cooked through, but not mushy. Let cool, store the parsnips in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. This can be done a day in advance.
Prepare the carrots: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove the tops and scrub the carrots. Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Lay them on a baking tray and roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool and cut into ½ inch pieces. Store the carrots in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. This can be done a day in advance.
Prepare the walnuts: Bring the simple syrup and the walnuts to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the syrup. Bake in a 325-degrees oven for 15 minutes.
Prepare the cranberry base: Combine all the ingredients for the cranberry base in a non-reactive saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool for 20 minutes. Remove the clove and star anise. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
Prepare the vinaigrette: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the cranberry base, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, water, salt and fresh ground black pepper. Shake well. Add the grapeseed oil and shake well. Add the extra virgin olive oil and shake well. Taste, and if too thick, add a little water and shake well. Store the vinaigrette in the refrigerator until ready to use. This can be made up to 5 days in advance.
Prepare the romaine: Remove the outer leaves of romaine, wash and dry well. Cut ½ lengthwise and then into ½ inch pieces. Keep in a container with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator.
Prepare the celery and apple: Cut the celery and apple into ½ inch cubes. Cook the celery only in salted boiling water for 2 minutes transfer to a bowl of ice water. Dry the celery well and store both the celery and apple in a container with a tight fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator.
Prepare the ruby grapes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the grapes on a baking tray and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Let cool and remove from the vine. Store the grapes in a container with a tight-fitting lid. This may be done a day in advance.
In a large bowl, combine all the vegetables, walnuts and dried cranberries. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground pepper, mix well. Add the romaine, sage and ½ cup of vinaigrette and toss. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Serve.
A Thanksgiving Giveaway!
Win one of Summerland’s organic Thanksgiving Boxes to make each of award-winning chef Josiah Citrin’s holiday recipes for yourself next week.
To enter: Subscribe to the Chalkboard newsletter here and leave your comment below on our Guest Chef’s Thanksgiving recipes. A winner will be announced Monday morning and we will arrange speedy shipment or delivery of your very own Thanksgiving Box! Good luck!
