Name: Harvest Wild Rice Salad
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup wild rice blend (-cooked per package instructions); 3 cups acorn squash (-cubed (or butternut squash)); 2 tsp curry powder; 1.5 tbsp olive oil (-divided); 1/2 tsp salt (-divided, or more to taste); 1/2 tsp black pepper (-divided); 2 cloves garlic (-minced); 4 cups kale (-thinly sliced); 3 tbsp unsalted pumpkin seeds; 1/3 cup pomegranate arils

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

One delicious side, this Harvest Wild Rice Salad is a yummy combination of a wild rice blend, sautéed kale and roasted acorn squash. The whole thing is then garnished with sweet pomegranate arils and pumpkin seeds. So much goodness packed in one recipe!

How everyone! How’s it going? After an indulgent Monday with a Five Cheese Beer Mac-n-Cheese I figured a lighter recipe was in order. All about balance, isn’t it? This one comes to you a day late (because I was completing some site layout changes), but better late than never! Plus, I kinda wanted to say hi before the upcoming weekend!

How to Roast Acorn Squash

Have you ever used acorn squash in a recipe? It’s simple to prepare and what makes this one extra special is the addition of curry powder. It adds a lovely flavour and warmth to the recipe, which compliments the sweetness found in the pomegranate.

Basically, to roast an acorn squash –

Carefully cut the acorn squash in half. Scoop out the membrane and seeds. If you want, reserve the seeds for roasting to enjoy as a snack later (delicious tossed with some olive oil and spices).
Peel the acorn squash.
Cut into cubes and toss with oil and seasoning.
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes on 350F. Easy right?

How to Peel a Pomegranate

You can’t just bite into a pomegranate…well, I suppose you can, but it is definitely not recommended. The easiest way to peel a pomegranate? Cut it in half, get a bowl of water ready and invert the pomegranate into the water and press the arils out. They are not all going to pop out perfectly, but it’s the easiest (and cleanest) way, in my opinion, to get those suckers out. Usually, any of the membrane that surrounds the arils floats to the top, while they stay to the button. Easy peasy, right?

Tips & How to Enjoy this Wild Rice Salad

Don’t have kale? Spinach or chard works great too, but the spinach won’t be as hearty.
Want to use butternut squash instead of acorn squash? Go for it!
Don’t have pomegranate? Dried cranberry will work in a pinch.
I’ve eaten this wild rice salad both warm and cold and it’s great both ways.
If you want to add a little more substance to the mix, some grilled or baked chicken would work great!

Other Fall Salad Recipes you May Enjoy

I love making this one on Sunday to have as a quick go-to side for lunch or to go with busy weekday dinners.

Hope you enjoy this Harvest Wild Rice Salad as much as I do. It’s light, nutritious and packed full of yummy flavours – just what you need before an indulgent weekend 😉

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon 🙂

P.S. If you think this Harvest Wild Rice Salad will make your belly happy too, please be sure to hit that little Pin button down below. Many thanks, you guys! XO