Autumn Butternut Squash and Wheat Berry Salad

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 70 min
Servings: 5
Yield: 5 servings

Description

A zesty and sweet orange vinaigrette adds a pop to the autumn-inspired flavors of butternut squash, wheat berries, and cranberries in this easy salad.

Ingredients

3 cups water
1 1/2 cups hard red winter wheat berries
2 cups butternut squash cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 large orange, zested
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1 Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add wheat berries. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook until soft, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain.
2 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3 Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and place on a baking sheet.
4 Roast in the preheated oven until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer squash to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess oil and let cool.
5 Meanwhile, mix orange juice, remaining oil, maple syrup, and orange zest together in a bowl for vinaigrette.
6 Combine cooked wheat berries, roasted squash, vinaigrette, parsley, and cranberries together in a large bowl. Let cool in the refrigerator, 10 to 20 minutes. Top salad with sliced almonds and serve.