Taste of Tuesday : Warm Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad + Game Day Kick Off Week

I'm pretty sure my cousin made this recipe for me when she stayed back in February, but I didn't know exactly what recipe she used.  I came across this one from Smitten Kitchen and I'm obsessed.  I had my friend Courtney over for lunch last week for a playdate and made this salad and she shared my same OBSESSION.  It' so delicious and healthy.  The tahini dressing is perfection and I can't wait to make it again.  It's really and easy recipe except for cutting up the butternut squash.  Don't cheat and use frozen because it's not the same!!

Warm Butternut and Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing

Recipe via Smitten Kitchen who adapted from Orangette

Yield: 4 servings

For salad:

1 medium butternut squash (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium garlic clove, minced or pressed

1/2 teaspoons ground allspice 

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt

One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (1 1/2 cups)

1/4 of a medium red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

For tahini dressing:

1 medium garlic clove, finely minced with a pinch of salt

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons well-stirred tahini

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more to taste

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

In a large bowl, combine the butternut squash, garlic, allspice, olive oil, and a few pinches of salt. Toss the squash pieces until evenly coated. Roast them on a baking sheet for 25 minutes, or until soft. Remove from the oven and cool.

Meanwhile, make the tahini dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic and lemon juice. Add the tahini, and whisk to blend. Add the water and olive oil, whisk well, and taste for seasoning. The sauce should have plenty of nutty tahini flavor, but also a little kick of lemon. You will probably need to add more water to thin it out.

To assemble the salad, combine the squash, chickpeas, onion, and cilantro or parsley in a mixing bowl. Either add the tahini dressing to taste, and toss carefully, or you could serve the salad with the dressing on the side. Serve immediately.

Tahini Dressing:

I'm also participating in a Football link-up with Cait at Home Sweet Ruby.  She's a fellow Florida Gator which I love and has a passion for football like any girl from the South should :)  In honor of football starting this week, I'm sharing a few of my favorite {football related} dips and decor.



Mexi-Corn Dip

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls

Loaded Baked Potato Dip


Fabric Garland in your team colors


Football Beers 

I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to Game Day Recipes! 

I also wrote a post last year on Fall and Football favorites for your baby boy, here, that I thought I'd share too because it's just as important that the babies represent too!! 

Halloween & Football Favorites by homeofmalones featuring a wilton bakeware

Mud Pie Baby-girls Infant Halloween Longall / Mud Pie Unisex-Baby Newborn Pumpkin One Piece Sleeper / Gap Ghost Graphic Body Double - black night / Hanna Andersson Baby Sleeper Orange Star / Gap Striped Pants - black night / RagsLand / RagsLand / RagsLand / RagsLand / Black Chevron Shortall, by Surcie

Hooray for kick-off this week!!! What college team do you cheer for?? Any other Florida Gators out there???

 Linking up with: 

Emily and Kate for Tuesday's Recipe Swap
Handmade Tuesday's with Kristen
Let's be Friends Blog Hop with The Dwelling Tree or Southern Beauty Guide