Name: Fall Panzanella Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 cups golden beets, peeled and cubed; 2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved; 1 ½ cups fennel bulb, thinly sliced (reserve 1 Tbsp. fennel fronds); 1 Tbsp. olive oil; ¼ tsp. sea salt; Pinch of black pepper; 3 cups crusty Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 bunch lacinto (dinosaur) kale, stems removed; 1 gala apple, cored and diced; ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds; ¼ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar; 1 tsp. sweetener (maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut nectar); Pinch of sea salt and black pepper

Description

This fall panzanella salad is brimming with seasonal produce and goodies. Golden beets, Brussels sprouts, diced apple, and dried cranberries add stunning autumnal color to a bed of chopped kale for a hearty lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups golden beets, peeled and cubed
2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 ½ cups fennel bulb, thinly sliced (reserve 1 Tbsp. fennel fronds)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
¼ tsp. sea salt
Pinch of black pepper
3 cups crusty Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 bunch lacinto (dinosaur) kale, stems removed
1 gala apple, cored and diced
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
¼ cup dried cranberries

For the dressing

¼ cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. sweetener (maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut nectar)
Pinch of sea salt and black pepper

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400F. Transfer the beets, Brussels sprouts, and fennel to a baking sheet. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. On a separate baking sheet, spread the bread cubes in an even layer. Roast the veggies on the top rack for 25 to 30 minutes, until the beets are fork tender and the Brussels sprouts are slightly caramelized.
Pop the bread in the oven for the last 5 to 7 minutes of roasting. When done, the cubes should be dry and crunchy on the outside and slightly soft in the middle.
While the veggies are roasting, slice the kale into thin, 1-inch long pieces and add them to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle the kale with a pinch of sea salt and massage the leaves until soft and bright green. Core and dice the apple and toss it in the bowl with the kale.
To make the dressing, whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
When the veggies and bread are done roasting, remove them from the oven. Transfer the bread to the bowl with the kale and apples and drizzle with about half of the dressing. Toss to coat. Stir in the roasted veggies and top with the pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and reserved fennel fronds. Serve immediately with remaining dressing, if desired.