I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #FallFlavors recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
If you’re looking for a healthy, vegetarian meal this fall, that is filling and delicious, look not further than this Butternut, Kale, Butter Bean & Pesto Salad. Nutritious, delicious, and easy to throw together, it’ll become an autumn menu regular!
Are you ready for another squash recipe?? Because I have a great one to share with you! This time with butternut squash. This butternut, kale, butter bean, and pesto salad uses only 5 ingredients (Besides a little olive oil, salt and pepper), comes together in a jif, is vegetarian (if you’re into that kinda thing), and is perfect for fall feasting.
You can serve it as a main dish or a side, and despite the light list of ingredients, it is full of flavor and oh-so-filling. The pesto gives it all the good flavor, but then – THEN – you add in the sweet and spicy pecans from Millican Pecan, and you get an added pop of flavor and texture!
My sweet husband, the carnivore who must have meat with every meal, LOVED this pesto salad delight. The first time I made it, I didn’t make any other protein to go with it. The second time we had some grilled sausages alongside. Both times it was devoured, even by the three-year-old! She’s a big fan of the butter beans. And the butternut. Pretty much all of it but the kale.
She’s still leery of the “green leafy stuff” in meals, regardless of what it is. Spinach, kale, green onions, basil…it must be removed. And not only from her fork or her pile of food, but from her plate entirely. I try to tell her to just set aside something if she doesn’t like it, but noooo, it must relocate to mommy’s plate, lest it jump back on her fork and in her mouth or something. Ah, toddlers. They keep life interesting, don’t they?? But hey, she loves the squash, so I’ll deal with her green-picking for awhile longer.
Make sure you get this on your fall menu soon, and check out the other recipes from today, below!
Sponsor items used in this recipe:
Millican Pecan Sweet and Spicy Pecans
Butternut, Kale, Butter Bean & Pesto Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups about 1 medium butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 cups chopped kale
- 2 15-oz cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 Tbsp pesto
- 1 cup Sweet and Spicy Pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, toss the butternut with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until slightly browned and softened.
- Meanwhile, saute the kale in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until softened. This will only take a couple of minutes. Stir in the butterbeans, and remove from heat.
- When the squash is done cooking, add it to the pan, along with the pesto. Gently stir to coat with the pesto, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in pecans and serve warm, or refrigerate in an airtight container and serve cold later!
Notes
Welcome to Flavors of Fall where we celebrate all things associated with fall like squash, apples, pecans, sweaters, football; you get the idea! Ellen from Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures have gathered 24 bloggers who have over 100 recipes they’re sharing this week in celebration of cool weather and sweatshirts. We hope you find many must make recipes so get your pinning, tweeting, and sharing fingers ready!
Here’s what we made for Thursday:
Beverage
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer by Tip Garden
Plum Spice Bubble Tea by Daily Dish Recipes
Breakfast
Cinnamon Pecan Muffins by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Coffee Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Praline Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins by Family Around the Table
Savory
Butternut, Kale, Butterbean & Pesto Salad by Sweet Beginnings
Coffee Rubbed Pork with Autumn Spices by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Eggplant Parmesan Boats by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Eggplant Rolantini by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Potato Rosemary Bread with Roasted Garlic by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Savoury Pecan Granola by Crumb Top Baking
Dessert
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Easy Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler by Palatable Pastime
Vegan Chocolate Pecan Hand Pies by The Baking Fairy
Make sure you like Fall Flavors on Facebook and follow the Fall Flavors on Pinterest, too!
Make sure you like Fall Flavors on Facebook and follow the Fall Flavors on Pinterest, too!
Prize 1 – Door County Coffee and Tea Company
Founded in 1993 in Door County, WI, Door County Coffee and Tea Company is a small family owned business. Roasting a variety of flavors for 26 years, one winner will receive three full pot bags of all of their fall flavors. 21 bags in all! Their mission through the years has been to produce high quality, best-tasting coffee using only Specialty Class 1 Arabica coffee beans. Combine that with superior roasting technology and you get a wonderfully even and perfect roast every time and that means the perfect pot of coffee. A $40 value.
Prize 2 – Millican Pecan Tower of Treats Gift Tins
Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800’s, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is a 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.
Two (2) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #FallFlavors bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #FallFlavors posts or entry. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan and Door County Coffee and Tea for providing prizes.
This will make a great holiday side dish or even a vegan option for those who wish.
Sounds like a delicius side dish that’s perfect for fall or the holidays!
ok.. this is my kinda meal! my hubby?? not so much. but me?? yes!
This bean lover never tried butter beans in a salad. I need to change that!
I am just loving this! I would love to eat this alone or with pork tenderloin. This just sounds amazing and I can’t wait to make it.
I am in love with this warm salad! I don’t think I’ve ever had butter beans but this must change ASAP!
I’d love this as a mix in for a huge warm salad.