Grilled Acorn Squash (with Salad)

APPS & SIDES

Grilled Acorn Squash (with Salad)

Prep Time: 10minutes

Cook Time: 13 1hour hr 20minutes minshouminut

Total Time: 23minutes

This eye-catching salad boasts an array of colors and delicious flavors. It starts by grilling acorn squash which has a mild, buttery flavor that absorbs sweet smoke like a dream. Once done, it joins a delicious combination of peppery arugula, bitter radicchio, pomegranate arils, walnuts, and figs, finished with honey and lemon vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

Squash

2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for the grates
1 acorn squash
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon honey

Salad

2 cups arugula
1 cup chopped radicchio
¼ cup pomegranate arils
¼ cup chopped walnuts
4 medium figs, quartered or sliced

Dressing

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons honey
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

Z Grills Smoker Grill
Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets
Tongs
Whisk

Instructions

- Step 1: Preheat your Z-Grill (preferably with branded cherry or applewood pellets) or other wood pellet grill to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil the grates once hot to prevent sticking.
  
  Step 2: Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove the stem, and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
  
  Step 3: Cut the squash into equal-sized wedges. Feel free to peel them.
  
  Step 4: Whisk the oil, salt, black pepper, and honey together in a bowl. Brush each wedge with this mixture.
  
  Step 5: Transfer the squash to the grates, close the lid, and cook for 7 minutes or until it is almost tender.
  
  Step 6: Remove the squash and increase the grill's temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the lid closed while preheating.
  
  Step 7: Uncover and grill the squash for 2-3 minutes per side or until they develop nice grill marks.
  
  Step 8: Remove the squash from the grill and set it aside.
  
  Step 9: Add the arugula, radicchio, pomegranate arils, and walnuts to a salad bowl. Toss to combine.
  
  Step 10: Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or shake in a mason jar until well combined.
  
  Step 11: Drizzle as much dressing as desired over the contents of the salad bowl and toss again.
  
  Step 12: Divide between serving plates, arrange acorn squash wedges and figs among the other salad ingredients, drizzle a bit more dressing on top and serve.