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Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad. All the best produce that fall has to offer combined into one big beautiful salad. I could not love this combo of shredded kale, sweet honeycrisp apples, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, and crispy prosciutto more. Tossed with a caramelized shallot vinaigrette, this is the perfect fall salad. Healthy, simple, delicious, and perfectly fitting for cool, crisp fall evenings.
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Technically fall doesn’t start until Saturday, but it’s pretty obvious that I am ready…and so very excited. However, what’s only recently obvious to me, is that after spending a couple of days in NYC this week, a lot of you are still experiencing summer like weather, even though we’re moving into late September.
I spent all Monday and Tuesday in the city, and wow, it was incredibly humid, rainy, and dreary. My hair did not like it. And while it was totally fine for what I was doing (thankfully everything was inside), my flight was majorly delayed on the way home. Not sure what my deal is when flying out of NYC. But the last two times I’ve been in the city, it’s been slightly stressful trying to make it home. Last time my flight was cancelled and I had to spend an extra night in the city. This time I had an over three-hour flight delay. Ugh!
It’s safe to say I am very glad to be home. I’m crossing my fingers for a lighter travel schedule over the next few months, as things are pretty busy around here. Plus, I love being home this time of year. It’s cozy and perfect, and I just need a couple of back to back weeks in my own bed, you know?
Can you tell I’m not really a traveler at heart? The more and more I travel, the less I stress, and maybe even get used to it, BUT I will forever be a homebody at heart.
Ok, enough about my travel, let’s get on to this salad. Fortunately, this salad is great no matter what season you’re currently experiencing, it’s a light option that still screams autumn.
Personally, fall is my favorite time of year for salads. I know that most people would probably say that summer has their favorite produce. But in my opinion nothing beats the fall apples, squash, root vegetables, pumpkin, pomegranates, and figs. These are all my favorite produce, so making salads in the fall is a must.
Today’s kale salad is fairly easy, but yet so full of flavor and texture. I am, of course, in love.
The story with this salad is simple. I was sitting at my desk the other week when I realized that I hadn’t shared a salad in a while. I really just opened up my fridge, looked through my pantry, and started cooking.
A lot times my best recipes are formed on the spot, and that was the case with this salad. Sometimes over thinking can be the killer of creativity, so when I’m lacking inspiration I’ll just grab what I have on hand and start cooking. More times than not it turns out really well!
Luckily, I had everything I could have wanted to make an awesome salad and vinaigrette.
This salad is a pretty simple mix of shredded kale, honeycrisp apples (my very favorite), pomegranate, feta cheese, crispy prosciutto, and maple roasted pumpkin seeds…
OK, so maybe not the simplest mix, but it’s sooo good.
Start off by roasting the pumpkin seeds (pepitas). This only takes about ten minutes, and you’ll be crisping up the prosciutto at the same time, so killing two birds with one stone (that’s honestly the weirdest saying ever, I don’t get it).
While that’s happening in the oven, toss together the greens, apples, pomegranates, and feta.
After that, it’s onto the vinaigrette. And you guys? The vinaigrette is what makes this salad. It’s all about the caramelized shallots and apple cider. I love tossing the still warm vinaigrette with the salad and then serving.
It’s SO good and makes the salad feel heartier, which I love during the fall and winter months.
I’ve now made this salad multiple over the last couple of weeks. The bonus? If you have any leftovers, they taste amazing the next day.
The kale has time to marinate in the vinaigrette, and honestly, the flavor actually gets better.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if the roasted pumpkin seeds and crispy prosciutto are worth it, they are 100% worth it. Salty, sweet, and crunchy, these are the best finishing touches to a fall salad.
Watch the How To Video:
Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad_WEB from Half Baked Harvest on Vimeo.
If you make this fall harvest honeycrisp apple and kale salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
- 1/3 cup raw pepitas
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 2 heads kale, shredded
- 2 honey crisp apples, thinly sliced
- arils from 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Cider Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. On the prepared baking sheet, toss together the pepitas, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Arrange in a single layer. Lay the prosciutto flat around the pepitas. Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pepitas are toasted and the prosciutto is crisp. 3. Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, combine the kale, apples, and pomegranates.4. To make the vinaigrette. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots, cook until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly. Add the apple cider vinegar, fig preserves, and thyme. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. 5. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, tossing to combine. Top the salad with toasted pepitas, prosciutto, and feta. Eat and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hi! Loved the salad, and as an aside – I also have felt weird about the two birds with one stone saying. I recently heard someone say feed two birds with one scone and I’ve totally adopted the new saying 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
Hey Shannon,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for giving it a go! xxTieghan
I made this to serve alongside Roast Porcetta and it was truly amazing. I did tweak it a little with shredded radicchio and fennel and I used a pear chardonnay jam instead of fig conserve. One of the best salads I have ever tasted. thank you
Hey Melissa,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Hi!
I just need you to know that I used to think I was not a salad person, then I tried this. I’ve made it 5 times in the last couple months and I’m obsessed. I love all your recipes – not sure if I’ve ever tried one I didn’t like – but this has got to be my fave. Who knew? Thanks for your work and creativity!!
Hey Alison,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe, it makes me so glad that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
Delicious! The pepitas and prosciutto are the perfect touch. Easy and healthy.
Hey Diane,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Wonderful!! I double it so we can have it multiple days in a row! I prefer half the thyme. Delicious!
Thanks so much Diane!! Happy New Year! xTieghan
So so good! The perfect warm salad that’s filling and satisfying but with the added apple crunch and crispy prosciutto! All things delicious!!!
Hey Claire,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a go, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I’m known in my family for creating (or copying) Thea best salads. This is by far the best salad I’ve ever had in my life. I used Tuscan kale since a little less tough. I made it a little early so the kale had time to break down. It is a new favorite. I plan on making it again for Christmas Eve.
Hey Katie,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
What kind of kale do you recommend? There are many different varieties, I’d appreciate knowing your preferred variety.
Hey Rani,
I like tuscan kale! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This salad is so delicious I made it two weeks in a row for lunch!! I replaced the pumpkin seed with almonds and used apple vinaigrette I found at the store – so tasty and super filling 🙂
Hey Whitney,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I was wondering if I can use apple butter instead of fig preserves. I am using this as part of my Christmas dinner and it needs to be awesome since this year has been so hard on so many.
Thanks!
Hey Kimberly,
Sure that would work! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I made this for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a huge hit! All the self-proclaimed “kale haters” in my family had seconds! I did double the dressing and it was the perfect amount.
Thank you so much Paige! xTieghan
I LOVE this salad!
Thank you! xTieghan
Do you massage the kale before adding the other ingredients? If so do I use extra oil or the vinaigrette?
Can I make the dressing the day before? If so should I keep it in the fridge or on the counter?
It looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe inspiration!!
Hey Hannah,
You sure can massage the kale with some extra olive oil. Yes, you can make the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
This is a beautiful fall salad that is so delicious. And I’m making it again for Thanksgiving…it’s that good. It’s so flavorful and colorful. Seems tedious and complicated, but it’s actually quick and easy. Make it – you won’t regret it!
So happy you loved this! Thank you Margo! xTieghan
Hi! Just wondering – the amount of oil and shallot called for in the recipe seems a lot different than the amount shown in the video. Is something off?
Hey Megan,
The measurements are correct:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan