7-Layer Squash, Apple and Quinoa Salad

This yummy salad is full of fall ingredients like Apples, Apple Cider, Squash and Cranberries. It doesn’t get more colorful, delicious and nutritious than that! We often think of butternut squash as soup or a side, but it’s super versatile and easily added to both sweet and savory dishes AND salads! This veggie is rich in important vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants. This low-calorie, fiber-rich winter squash may help you lose weight and protect against conditions like cancer, heart disease, and mental decline.

7-Layer Squash and Apple Salad

• 1½ Cups Quinoa, Prepared as Package directs, divided
• Apple Cider Dressing*
• 1 Cup Chopped Green Apple
• 1 Cup Chopped Red Apple
• 2 Cups Chopped Roasted Butternut Squash
• 1 Cup Chopped Dried Apricots or Cranberries
• ½ Cup Crumbled Goat Cheese or Feta
• ½ Cup Chopped Toasted Almonds
• Thinly Sliced Green Onions for Garnish

Step One

Toss the Quinoa with ½ of the dressing. Toss the chopped green apples in a bowl 1 TB of the dressing. In another bowl, toss the chopped red apples with 1 TB of the Dressing.

Step Two

Layer the ingredients in a trifle bowl, starting with ½ of the prepared quinoa and then add the squash, green apple and apricots or quinoa. Layer the remaining quinoa then the red apple, blue cheese and almonds. Garnish with the sliced green onions.

*Apple Cider Dressing:

• 1/3 Cup Apple Cider
• 3 TB Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3 TB Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tsp Honey
• 1/4 Tsp each Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Shake the ingredients together in a jar.

Having trouble chopping the butternut squash? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIWC68fxT0&list=PLNZtFM_a3ZtFMGmdZwxz5_e8ibmpcYtZo&index=4