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Kale and Spiced Pumpkin Salad with Figs

  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 11 cups
  • Serving size: 2¾ cups
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Fresh figs are a special addition to this spiced pumpkin salad full of fall flavors and colors—but if fresh aren’t available, dried will be just as tasty. Pumpkin and turnips, coated in warming spices, add subtle sweetness to a bed of nutty chickpeas and wilted kale. (You can use acorn squash instead of pumpkin, too.) A simple dressing featuring just three ingredients—maple syrup, tahini, and lemon juice—gives the heftier ingredients a lively sweet-tart kick. To finish, add crunchy pepitas and fresh figs. This hearty dish is also nut- and gluten-free—perfect for taking to a potluck!

For more inspiration, check out these tasty ideas:

By Laura Marzen, RD, LD,

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Ingredients

  • 2 15-oz. cans no-salt-added chickpeas
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1- to 1¼-pound pie pumpkin or acorn squash
  • 2 medium turnips or kohlrabi (12 oz. total)
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 8 cups torn fresh kale, tough stems removed
  • 6 fresh or dried figs, stemmed and halved or quartered
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pepitas

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large shallow roasting pan with parchment paper. Drain chickpeas, reserving liquid (aquafaba). Rinse and drain the chickpeas. In a small bowl combine the next five ingredients (through cinnamon).
  • Peel pumpkin and cut in half. Scoop out seeds; discard or save for another use. Cut pumpkin into 1- to 1½-inch pieces; place in a large bowl. Trim and peel turnips. Cut turnips into 1-inch wedges; add to pumpkin. Add 3 tablespoons of the aquafaba and 1½ teaspoons of the spice mixture; toss to coat. Spread vegetables in the prepared pan.
  • Roast 25 to 35 minutes or until tender and starting to brown, stirring once halfway through roasting.
  • Meanwhile, for dressing, in a medium bowl whisk together 3 tablespoons of the remaining aquafaba, the tahini, and maple syrup until smooth. Whisk in lemon juice, the remaining spice mixture, and enough water (2 to 3 teaspoons) to reach drizzling consistency.
  • In an extra-large skillet cook chickpeas and kale over medium 4 to 6 minutes or until kale is wilted, stirring frequently and adding water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, as needed to prevent sticking. Drizzle with half of the dressing; toss to coat.
  • Divide kale mixture among serving plates. Top with roasted vegetables and the figs. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and sprinkle with pepitas.
Nutritional Information:

Per serving (2¾ cups): 462 calories, 73 g carbohydrates, 21 g protein, 12 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 559 mg sodium, 18 g fiber, 14 g sugar

Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.

Comments (1)

(1 from 1 vote)

Recipe Rating

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Peanut

Honestly would give zero stars if possible. Don't make this. Overly sweet and cloying.

About the Author

Headshot of recipe developer and nutritionist Laura Marzen by Theresa Schumacher Photography

About the Author

Laura Marzen, RD, LD

Laura Marzen, RD, LD, is known for developing approachable recipes using her attention to detail and relying on two decades of experience creating and testing recipes. She created and tested recipes while working in the Better Homes & Gardens test kitchen for over seven years. Since then, she has gone on to develop more than 1,000 recipes for national magazines. In addition to her work developing recipes, Marzen uses her passion for healthy eating to coach women on improving their digestion and health in a way that's practical and sustainable. She has consulted for authors Rocco DiSpirito and Joy Bauer and has appeared on both local and national news and television programs on behalf of Better Homes & Gardens and Living the Country Life. With her work coaching women to improve their health, Marzen has extensive knowledge on the topics of digestion, metabolism, inflammation and IBS. Marzen earned a B.S. degree in dietetics from Iowa State University. She followed that with a dietetic internship and classes in public health at the University of Iowa through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Learn more on her website. Photo by Theresa Schumacher Photography
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