You ready for something healthy after all that candy? Don’t worry, this salad won’t take you off the sugar cold turkey. It’s a little like eating a candy salad, which happens to be the way I like mine.

harvest salad with spiced pumpkin seeds

mixed greens
maple vinaigrette (recipe follows)
chevre (goat cheese)
dried tart cherries
Bartlett pears, chopped in one inch pieces
spiced pumpkin seeds (recipe follows)

1. Toss mixed greens with maple vinaigrette. Arrange on plates.
2. Garnish greens with crumbled chevre, dried cherries, pear pieces, and pumpkin seeds.

maple vinaigrette

2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons apple cider
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
pinch of salt and pepper

spiced pumpkin seeds

4 tablespoons organic evaporated cane juice (or regular sugar)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
pinch cayenne pepper
pinch salt
1 1/2 cups raw, shelled pumpkin seeds (the green ones)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon unsalted butter

1. In a medium bowl, combine evaporated cane juice, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large nonstick skillet, toast pumpkin seeds over medium heat until they become slightly fragrant and begin to puff up and pop. Remove seeds from heat, and return skillet to the stove.

3. Over medium heat, mix sugar and butter and cook until sugar carmelizes. Add pumpkin seeds back into pan and stir until seeds begin to stick together and the caramel gets stringy.

4. Pour pumpkin seeds into sugar mixture, and stir to coat.

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11 Responses to “harvest salad with spiced pumpkin seeds”

1. Jessica Mormann says:

   1 November 2008 at 5:10 pm

   Wow! I am craving a salad just like this RIGHT NOW! How did you know?? Except I’m too tired to go to the store… Sigh. I’ll just look at the picture.

   Love,
   Jess
2. patsyk says:

   1 November 2008 at 8:07 pm

   I love a salad that is more than just your traditional veggies! add a bit of fruit and nuts, and suddenly it becomes so much better!
3. leaca says:

   1 November 2008 at 9:21 pm

   That looks so good. I get tired of the same old salads.
4. Holli says:

   2 November 2008 at 3:05 pm

   Patrick raved about your salad. And he’s not always a salad person. Just wanted you to know!
5. Brooke says:

   2 November 2008 at 8:53 pm

   What in the whaty what?! This looks AMAZING. My pumpkin seeds never come out of the oven with a gleaming COAT of sugared sparkles. That’s it! I’m coming to your house everyday at very. convenient. mealtime. hours.
   The End.
6. Jessica Mormann says:

   3 November 2008 at 6:53 am

   Jaime,

   Great job! Magazine people are going to start coming after you to take photos for them!! You’re pictures are so professional!!!

   You sister,
   Jess
7. Tartelette says:

   3 November 2008 at 9:47 pm

   It’s like the “After Halloween Party” perfect salad! Looks so healthy and delicate!
8. Niall Harbison says:

   4 November 2008 at 3:51 am

   I like the way you have kept it healthy with the toasted seeds. They can nearly replace croutons as they have the same sort of crunch but I have to say I’d go for croutons every time! Nice salad though!
9. Alwaysroom4dessert says:

   4 November 2008 at 1:38 pm

   What a great fall salad!!
10. Jude says:

    6 November 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Like a candy salad, you said? I’m sold
11. much to be grateful for, a Thanksgiving with friends. Sweet potato mash with candied pear, and braised Brussels Sprouts with shallots | sophistimom says:

    17 November 2009 at 9:51 pm

    [...] harvest salad with spiced pumpkin seeds [...]