Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad

Enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors and textures with our Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad – crunchy chickpeas, tender roasted pumpkin, and creamy avocado, all harmoniously balanced on a crisp base of romaine. Packed with nutrients, this easy-to-prepare, warm, and comforting salad is not only delicious but also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Elevate your meal with this bright and beautiful dish that’s as wholesome as it is delightful – perfect for a healthy dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Enjoy the combo of crunchy chickpeas, tender roasted pumpkin, creamy avocado, and crisp romaine lettuce, creating a perfect balance in every bite.

• Nutrient-Rich and Wholesome: Packed with nutrients from pumpkin, chickpeas, avocado, and leafy greens, this salad is not only delicious but also a wholesome addition to your meal plan.
• Easy to Prepare: With clear instructions and expert tips, this Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad is very easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
• Warm and Comforting: The cozy combination of roasted pumpkin and chickpeas creates a satisfying dish that’s perfect for cooler days or when you crave a warming meal.
• Bright and Beautiful: The bright colors of the pumpkin, avocado, and greens not only make this salad delicious but also a beautiful addition to your table.
• Perfect Textures: Enjoy the textures with crunchy chickpeas, tender roasted pumpkin, creamy avocado, and crisp lettuce, making each bite a perfect balance.
• Gluten-Free and Vegan-Friendly: Tailor the recipe to your dietary preferences. It easily adapts to vegan diets by using vegan feta, and it’s naturally gluten-free, making it an inclusive choice for various eating lifestyles.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin: Choose a sugar or pie pumpkin for its sweet and creamy flesh. Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, providing a burst of color and essential nutrients.
• Chickpeas: A powerhouse of plant-based protein and fiber, chickpeas add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Oil is used for coating the pumpkin and chickpeas before roasting.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil adds a savory and aromatic touch to the pumpkin cubes.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the pumpkin and chickpeas, salt enhances flavors, while black pepper adds a subtle warmth.
• Paprika: This spice brings a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the chickpeas, complementing the overall profile of the salad.
• Garlic Powder: Adding a hint of garlic powder to the chickpeas contributes a savory depth without overpowering the other flavors.
• Romaine Lettuce: The crisp and refreshing base of the salad, romaine lettuce is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich, avocado provides healthy fats and a velvety texture to the salad.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a tangy and salty kick, balancing the sweetness of the pumpkin and the richness of the avocado. Opt for a vegan alternative for a dairy-free version.
• Dressing: A harmonious blend of olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper, the dressing ties all the elements together with a burst of citrusy sweetness.

How to Make

The process of making this delicious salad is easy and simple. Just follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve the best results:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C. Prepare two baking sheets.
2. Roast Pumpkin: Place cubed pumpkin on the first baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat and spread in a single layer. Roast for 15-20 minutes until soft and caramelized.
3. Roast Chickpeas: On the second baking sheet, add drained chickpeas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat and roast for 15-20 minutes until dried and crunchy.
4. Prepare Dressing: In a jar, combine all dressing ingredients. Close the lid and shake to combine and emulsify.
5. Assemble Salad: Spread chopped lettuce on a large plate. Arrange roasted pumpkin on top, followed by avocado slices and crunchy chickpeas.
6. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle crumbled feta over the salad and drizzle the dressing on top.

Expert Tips

• Perfectly Spiced Pumpkin: Take your time to evenly coat the pumpkin cubes with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. This step ensures each piece is infused with aromatic spices for a harmonious flavor.
• Chickpea Crunch: For extra crunch in your chickpeas, ensure they are thoroughly dried before roasting. Pat them dry with a paper towel or let them air-dry for a few minutes after draining.
• Slice Avocado Just Before Serving: Slice the avocado just before assembling the salad to prevent browning. This ensures the vibrant green color and creamy texture add a fresh element to the salad.
• Watch the Oven: Keep a close eye on the oven during the last few minutes of baking. Pumpkin and chickpeas can go from perfectly roasted to overly crispy quickly. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve the desired texture.
• Dressing Emulsification: When preparing the dressing, allow it to emulsify thoroughly by shaking the jar vigorously. This ensures a well-balanced dressing that coats the salad components evenly.
• Serve Warm: Serve the salad with the roasted pumpkin and chickpeas still warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Possible Variations and Substitutions

The recipe is highly customizable and versatile. Experiment by swapping the ingredients or adding more to create your own version of this healthy and hearty meal. Here are some ideas:

• Make It Vegan: Omit feta or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
• Nuts and Seeds: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for added crunch.
• Pumpkin Alternatives: Use butternut squash or sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin for a variation in flavor.
• Leafy Greens Variations: Mix in baby kale or spinach with the romaine for a diverse texture. Or swap out romaine for arugula for a peppery kick.
• Spice Infusions: Infuse the olive oil with a hint of chili flakes for a spicy kick. Or add a pinch of cumin or coriander to the chickpeas for a warm, aromatic twist.
• Protein Boost: Add grilled shrimp or roasted chicken for a protein-packed meal. Or toss in marinated tempeh or tofu for a vegan protein source.
• Dressing Variations: Add a spicy kick to this salad by trying our Spicy Peanut Butter Dressing for a different flavor profile.
• Sweeteners: Substitute maple syrup with honey or agave syrup in the dressing if you want.

How to Store

While this salad is best enjoyed fresh, storing components separately can help preserve its quality. However, keep in mind that the crispy texture of the chickpeas might diminish over time. It’s best to store the dressing separately to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

But if you have any leftovers, store Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week. Give it a good shake before using it again.

If you want to enjoy the salad warm, consider reheating the pumpkin and chickpeas separately in the oven for a few minutes. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness.

This Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas is versatile enough to serve as either a hearty side dish or a light dinner. It contains a combination of vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, and a well-balanced dressing, making it sufficiently filling. The warmth of the roasted pumpkin and chickpeas also adds a comforting element, making it suitable for a satisfying dinner option. So make it and enjoy!

More Delicious Salad Recipes for Healthy Dinner

• Greek Chickpea Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Kale
• Red Kidney Bean Salad with Spicy Peanut Butter Dressing
• Curry Noodle Salad (Kerrie Noedelslaai)
• Sicilian Pasta Salad

Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad

Rating: 5.0/5

( 3 voted )

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: American Yield: 3 servings

Calories for Serving: 200 kcal 20 grams fat

Enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors and textures with our Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea Salad - crunchy chickpeas, tender roasted pumpkin, and creamy avocado, all harmoniously balanced on a crisp base of romaine. Elevate your meal with this bright and beautiful dish that's as wholesome as it is delightful - perfect for a healthy dinner.

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Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 pound (460 g) pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt, divided
• ½ tsp black pepper, divided
• 1 15 oz (425g) can of chickpeas, drained
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 avocado, sliced
• ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled

For the Dressing:

• ⅛ cup olive oil
• lemon juice from half a lemon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C. Prepare two baking sheets.
2. Place cubed pumpkin on the first baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Use a spoon or your hands to evenly coat pumpkin cubes in spices and oil. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet.
3. On the second baking sheet, add drained chickpeas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Use a spoon or your hands to evenly coat chickpeas in spices and oil. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Place pumpkin and chickpeas in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The pumpkin should be soft and caramelized, and the chickpeas should be dried and crunchy. You may need to remove the pumpkin sooner and cook the chickpeas for a few more minutes. After removing from the oven, let the pumpkin and chickpeas cool slightly.
5. Prepare the dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar. Close the lid and shake to combine and emulsify.
6. Spread chopped lettuce on a large plate, and arrange roasted pumpkin on top. Follow with avocado slices and crunchy chickpeas.
7. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and drizzle the dressing on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcal Fat: 28.2g Saturated Fat: 5.7g Cholesterol: 10mg Sodium: 1593mg Carbohydrate: 44.7g Fiber: 9.1g Sugar: 12.1g Protein: 9.2g Calcium: 134mg Iron: 5mg Potassium: 645mg