Butternut Squash Farinata With Arugula Salad & Pomegranate Vinaigrette

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VegetarianVentures (27 of 36)

You know you have an amazing friend when she’ll fly halfway across the country to help ease your stress. During one of our weekly phone conversations, I had mentioned to my good friend, Ella, that I had a stressful fall ahead of me and she took it upon herself to book a plane ticket out here to help. We spent this past weekend trying new recipes in the kitchen, hosting photo shoots by the lake, and finding time to sneak out to surprise parties on Friday night. After four days of cooking, this was our favorite recipe we whipped up.

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Today’s recipe comes from the new vegan cookbook, Crosswords, which is written by the famous vegan restaurant by the same name in LA. I’d be lying if I didn’t mention the first thing that drew me to this vegan cookbook was that fact that Jay-Z was quoted on that back – you know what the means, right? We all know that he probably frequents this restaurant with Beyonce because B is vegan. And you know what? If this vegan food is good enough for B then it’s good enough for me. Also, I won’t even go down the rabbit hole of this book having the same name as the coming of age classic that Britney starred in (so many pop references connected to this book – I can’t help but be drawn!).

Anyhow, my first reaction to this book when flipping through it is that the recipes looked gorgeous but also intimidating. However, after whipping up this farinata earlier today, I realized that the names are fancy and the results are delicious but the process is more than manageable.

Farinata is a rustic Italian bread made out of chickpea flour and this recipe reminded me of a European version of cornbread. The protein from the chickpea flour makes it filling enough for a meal and the salad creates the perfect balance. Pomegranate molasses is the trickiest ingredient to find in this whole recipe but it’s well worth the search as it’s flavor is unique and refreshing. Similar to crepe batter, you’ll need to let this batter sit for at least an hour so prep that first and then prepare the farro and salad while it sits.

Butternut Squash Farinata With Arugula Salad & Pomegranate Vinaigrette recipe below:

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Butternut Squash Farinata With Arugula Salad & Pomegranate Vinaigrette
A filling and vegan chickpea based entree served on a bed of arugula.
Course: Main
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Recipe from Tal Ronnen’s Crossroads
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups chickpea flour
  • 2 cups filtered water , room temperature
  • 5 Tablespoons olive oil , divided
  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs , leaves stripped from stems and chopped
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon vegan butter (such as Earth Balance)
  • 2 cups finely diced butternut squash
  • 1 shallot , minced
For the dressing:
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
  • 1/2 shallot , minced
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint (I used thyme here because it was what I had on hand)
  • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons pomegranate seeds + more for garnish
For the salad:
  • 8 lightly packed cups baby arugula
  • 2 cups cooked farro
  • 1/2 cup Pomegranate Vinaigrette
  • Salt / black pepper
Instructions
  1. For the farinata, whisk together the chickpea flour and water until smooth and free of lumps.
  2. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, and continue to whisk until combined.
  3. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least an hour.
  4. After the batter has set, preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  5. Melt the remaining butter substitute and olive oil into a 10 inch cast iron skillet, on the stove top, over medium heat.
  6. Add the squash and shallot and saute, stirring often, for four minutes or until soft. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Spread the squash and shallots into an even layer and pour the batter over it.
  8. Transfer to the oven and bake for thirty minutes or until the center is set and the edges are browned.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool for at least ten minutes.
  10. For the dressing, whisk together the pomegranate molasses, shallot, lemon, and olive oil until emulsified. Fold in the mint, parsley, and pomegranate seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
  11. For the salad, mix together the arugula, farro, and vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper.
  12. To serve, flip the farinata out onto a cutting board and slice into 8 pieces. Place a bed of salad on the place and top with a slice of farinata. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and season with salt and pepper.

 

VegetarianVentures (28 of 36)

 

Comment

13 Comments

  • Millie | Add A Little
    October 26, 2015

    My mouth is watering to the max right now! Really want to try out Crossroads!

  • Considering The Radish
    October 26, 2015

    Gorgeous. I want to eat this, and to find this cookbook, and restaurant stalk Beyonce.

  • Sydney | Modern Granola
    October 26, 2015

    How stunning! This sounds like a delicious recipe. Can’t wait to try!
    xx Sydney

  • Mary
    October 26, 2015

    Yum ! All these ingredients are super good, mixed, it must be great! 🙂

  • Grace
    October 26, 2015

    So nice to have a good friend to come and cook (and eat!) with! This chickpea flour stuff is magic! I’m so intrigued and pretty sure I have all the ingredients on hand! Definitely adding that book to my wish list! Gorgeous styling and pictures, always!

  • Laura (Tutti Dolci)
    October 26, 2015

    I love these flavors and that salad is so pretty with the pomegranate!

  • Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
    October 26, 2015

    This looks and sounds inc credible Shelly (!!!) and what an amazing friend you have. Such a keeper.

  • lemonandcoconut
    October 27, 2015

    What a lovely lovely recipe. I’ve just discovered your blog and I’m so pleased I have it’s wonderful, thank you 🙂

  • Lily | Kale & Caramel
    October 27, 2015

    Dang that pomegranate tho!! And Bey. And farinata. And all these autumn hues. Can I live inside of it all?

  • Michelle (Supper With Michelle)
    October 27, 2015

    Such a beautiful recipe! Thank you for sharing…and too funny about Jay and B! 🙂

  • Sherrie
    October 27, 2015

    I just got a copy of this book, and haven’t really had the time to open it up, but will now thanks to your beautiful rendition of this farinata Shelly. They’re something so spectacular about the flavor combination of squash and pomegranate and arugula this time of year. The fact that you referenced Crossroads the movie, makes me love you even more, xx!!

  • aspoonfulofnature
    October 28, 2015

    delish!! love that you added pomagranate seeds 🙂

    https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/

  • Delicious Vegetarian Holiday Mains | WORLD Warotter
    November 24, 2015

    […] Vegetarian Ventures / Via vegetarianventures.com […]

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