Name: Ruby Winter Jewel Salad
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 (10-12 oz) package pre-cubed butternut squash; 1 tbsp olive oil; 0.25 tsp salt; 1 pinch black pepper; 5 oz baby arugula or spinach; 0.5 cup pomegranate arils; 0.33 cup crumbled goat cheese; 0.33 cup pecans; 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp pure maple syrup; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 0.25 tsp salt; 1 pinch black pepper

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The holiday table is a canvas of rich, indulgent flavors. From the glazed ham and creamy mashed potatoes to the decadent pies, it’s a symphony of comfort. But every great symphony needs a bright, clear note to cut through the richness and bring everything into perfect harmony. Enter the Ruby Winter Jewel Salad: a stunning, vibrant, and refreshing side dish designed to be the star of your holiday spread without adding hours to your prep time. This isn’t just another salad; it’s a celebration of the season’s best produce, coming together in a dazzling display of color, texture, and flavor that truly earns its place on the festive table.

In the whirlwind of holiday cooking, a complex recipe can feel like a burden. This salad is the antithesis of that stress. Conceived for maximum impact with minimal effort, it leverages a few simple, high-quality ingredients that sing with wintery goodness. We’re talking sweet roasted butternut squash, jewel-like pomegranate arils, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy spiced pecans, all tossed in a zesty maple-dijon vinaigrette that you can whisk together in a minute. It’s the perfect solution for the home cook who wants to contribute something beautiful and delicious without being chained to the kitchen. This recipe is a testament to the idea that the best dishes are often the simplest, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine.

Beyond its practicality, this salad is a visual masterpiece. The deep ruby red of the pomegranates, the warm orange of the squash, the creamy white of the cheese, and the deep brown of the pecans create a color palette that is inherently festive. It looks as though you fussed for hours, but the secret is in the smart, streamlined preparation. It’s the dish that will have your guests reaching for their cameras before their forks, and the one they’ll be asking you for the recipe long after the last Christmas cookie has been eaten.

The Cultural Context of the Holiday Salad

Salads have not always held a place of honor on the holiday table. For generations, the focus was overwhelmingly on hearty, cooked, and often heavy dishes—foods that represented abundance and warmth during the colder months. The “salad” of Christmases past was often a simple, creamy coleslaw or a jellied concoction. However, modern palates and a growing desire for fresh, balanced meals have ushered in a new era for the holiday side dish.

Today, a festive salad is expected. It provides a necessary counterpoint, a fresh and acidic element that cleanses the palate between bites of rich turkey, buttery stuffing, and savory casseroles. This Ruby Winter Jewel Salad fits perfectly into this new tradition. It respects the flavors of the season by incorporating winter squash and nuts, staples of autumnal and winter cuisines, but presents them in a bright, lively way. It’s a reflection of our contemporary approach to eating: we want indulgence, but we also crave freshness, texture, and vibrancy on our plates. This salad delivers all of that in one stunning package.

Ingredients

This recipe is built on a foundation of a few key components. The beauty lies in their combination, but feel free to glance at the variations section for easy swaps!

For the Salad:

1 (10-12 oz) package pre-cubed butternut squash
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp salt
Pinch of black pepper
5 oz package of baby arugula or baby spinach
½ cup pomegranate arils
⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
⅓ cup pecans

For the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette:

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp salt
Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

The entire process, from chopping to serving, is designed to take 20 minutes. The key is working efficiently and using a few time-saving shortcuts.

Prepare the Squash: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. While it heats, place the pre-cubed butternut squash in a bowl. Toss it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper until evenly coated.
Sauté the Squash: Add the seasoned squash to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring only occasionally, until the squash is tender and has developed golden-brown spots. This method is much faster than roasting and gives a lovely caramelized flavor.
Make the Dressing: While the squash cooks, prepare the vinaigrette. In a small jar or bowl, combine the ¼ cup olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal the jar and shake vigorously, or whisk in the bowl until the dressing is well-emulsified and creamy.
Assemble the Salad: In a large serving platter or bowl, create a bed of the baby arugula or spinach. Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for just a minute or two (so it doesn’t wilt the greens too aggressively), then scatter it evenly over the greens.
Add the Toppings: Artfully sprinkle the pomegranate arils, crumbled goat cheese, and pecans over the top of the warm squash and greens.
Serve Immediately: Just before serving, drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad. Toss gently at the table or serve the remaining dressing on the side for guests to add as they please.

Tips for a Flawless Festive Salad

Don’t Dress Too Early: To avoid a wilted salad, only add the dressing right before you serve. The warm squash will slightly wilt the greens upon contact, which is a lovely texture, but adding the dressing too soon will make it soggy.
Toasting the Pecans: For an even deeper flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat before adding them to the salad. Watch them carefully, as they can burn quickly!
Make it a Main Course: Transform this side into a satisfying vegetarian main by adding a protein like grilled chicken breast, pan-seared scallops, or a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas.
Prepping Ahead: Your holiday meal has enough last-minute tasks. You can get this salad 90% ready ahead of time. Cook the squash and let it cool completely. Make the dressing and store it in the jar. Wash the greens and have your toppings pre-measured. Simply assemble everything on the platter and add the dressing at the very last second.
Balance is Key: The magic of this salad is in its balance. The sweet squash and maple syrup, the tangy goat cheese and vinegar, the crunchy pecans, and the juicy burst of pomegranate all work together. Taste your dressing and adjust if needed—a bit more maple for sweetness or vinegar for tang.

Creative Variations

The framework of this salad is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to customize it based on your preferences or what you have on hand.

Green Swap: Instead of arugula, try using mixed greens, frisée, or even shredded kale (massage the kale with a bit of the dressing first to soften it).
Cheese Please: Not a fan of goat cheese? Creamy feta is a fantastic substitute, or for a sharper bite, shaved Parmesan or Pecorino Romano would be delightful.
Nut-Free Option: Substitute the pecans with roasted, salted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch without the tree nuts.
Fruitful Twists: While pomegranate is the ultimate jewel, dried cranberries or cherries can be used in a pinch. For a different fresh twist, segments of sweet orange or crisp apple slices would be lovely.
Herbaceous Lift: Add a tablespoon or two of fresh, chopped herbs like mint or parsley to the greens for an extra layer of freshness.

Serving this Ruby Winter Jewel Salad is more than just presenting a side dish; it’s offering a moment of freshness and brightness amidst the holiday indulgence. It’s a testament to thoughtful, beautiful, and delicious cooking that doesn’t require a whole day to prepare. So this holiday season, give yourself the gift of time and your guests the gift of this stunning, flavorful salad. It’s sure to become a new, cherished tradition on your table.