Spinach and Pumpkin Salad

Prep and Cook Time: about 25 minutes. Notes: We adapted this recipe from Cetrella Bistro and Café in Half Moon Bay, California, where executive chef Lewis Rossman adds shavings of raw pumpkin to spinach salad for his special October menu. Look for toasted pumpkin-seed oil at natural- and specialty-food stores.

Yield: Makes about 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  pomegranate juice
• 1/4  cup  red wine vinegar
• 1/4  cup  toasted pumpkin-seed oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• 6  to 8 ounces pumpkin, such as Sugar Pie, or banana squash
• 6  quarts baby spinach leaves (1 lb.),rinsed and crisped
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2  cup  salted, roasted shelled pumpkin seeds

Preparation

1. In a large serving bowl, whisk together pomegranate juice, vinegar, and oil.

2. Peel pumpkin. With a vegetable peeler, cut raw pumpkin into paper-thin 1- by 3-inch strips; you'll need about 2 1/2 cups. Add pumpkin shavings to pomegranate vinaigrette and mix gently.

3. Add spinach and mix to coat; add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

117 (67% from fat)

Protein:

4.1g

Fat:

8.7g (sat 1.4)

Carbohydrate:

8.3g

Fiber:

2.6g

Sodium:

126mg

Cholesterol:

0.0mg