Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad

A elegant autumn salad featuring delicate ribbons of roasted butternut squash paired with peppery arugula, crispy pancetta, and toasted hazelnuts, all dressed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette.

8 servings
1 hr 8 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup hazelnuts
  • 5 ounces pancetta
  • 5 ounces baby arugula
  • 12 ounces chicory
  • pounds butternut squash
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons shallot
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 piece vegetable peeler

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Roast hazelnuts on a baking sheet in oven until fragrant and pale golden inside (cut one open to test), 8 to 10 minutes (keep oven on). Wrap hot nuts in a towel and rub together to remove any loose skins. Halve nuts.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    While nuts are roasting, cook pancetta in a 9- to 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Increase oven to 425°F with rack in middle. Lightly oil baking sheet.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Halve squash lengthwise and seed. Use vegetable peeler to peel squash into long thin ribbons into a large bowl. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl until coated. Spread ribbons evenly on a 13- by 9-inch baking sheet, or arrange ribbons into a 13- by 9-inch rectangle on a larger baking sheet. Bake until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then turn on broiler and broil until lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

    20 min

  6. 6.

    Bring cider to a boil in a small saucepan, then boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Whisk reduced cider with cider vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup oil in a slow stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified.

    10 min

  7. 7.

    Toss arugula and chicory in a very large bowl with about 1/2 cup vinaigrette (there will be some left over). Then toss in pancetta and hazelnuts.

    5 min

  8. 8.

    Cut squash into 8 rectangles and carefully transfer each with a metal spatula to a plate. Divide salad among plates and drizzle a little of remaining vinaigrette on squash.

    5 min

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