Roasted Vegetable Panzanella

Panzanella takes on a wintery twist with the addition of roasted vegetables in this vegetarian salad, which can also be made with pancetta.
By / Photography By | December 04, 2015

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 – 8 Serving(s)
  • 3 cups cauliflower florets (small)
  • 3 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into roughly 1-inch cubes
  • ¾ cup olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons, divided
  • 4 cups ciabatta, 1-inch cubes
  • ½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 5 cups baby arugula or baby spinach
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
  • 2 tablespoons basil, thinly sliced
  • 2–3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Toss cauliflower and squash with approximately 2 tablespoons olive oil to lightly coat. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast 25–30 minutes, until soft. Season with salt and pepper and reserve.

Toss bread cubes with another 2 tablespoons olive oil and toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 11 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. When shallots are soft and golden, transfer to bowl with bread.

Add cooked squash and cauliflower to bowl. Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry pan until flecked golden brown. Add to bowl along with capers, cranberries and arugula or spinach.

Whisk together red wine vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper, and whisk in remaining ½ cup olive oil until dressing is emulsified. Taste; adjust seasoning, and spoon over ingredients in the bowl, toss and allow flavors to meld for 10 minutes before serving.

Variation: Add pancetta to the salad. To make, thinly slice 12 ounces pancetta and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until pancetta is crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to bowl with bread cubes. Add shallots to pan where the pancetta was cooked and proceed as directed above.

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Ingredients

SERVINGS: 6 – 8 Serving(s)
  • 3 cups cauliflower florets (small)
  • 3 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into roughly 1-inch cubes
  • ¾ cup olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons, divided
  • 4 cups ciabatta, 1-inch cubes
  • ½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 5 cups baby arugula or baby spinach
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
  • 2 tablespoons basil, thinly sliced
  • 2–3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper