Isn’t it crazy how quickly time flies, even in a pandemic?! We’ve been in lockdown for two months now (two dark and grey winter months I might add), but time has still flown by. I don’t understand how, but it has both positive and negative aspects. Positive in the way that time is moving on and therefore this too shall pass. But negative in the way that it feels like we’ve all lost a whole year of our lives. So many things have been put on hold and there is no certainly when we will see our loved ones again…

But I digress. The reason I brought up the time aspect is that as time moves on, so does the seasons. And I really must tell you about this wonderful winter salad recipe before winter is well and truly over. The recipe is courtesy of Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen (one of my favourite food blogs that I have followed for years) and it’s basically a way for her to trick her children into eating vegetables for dinner. But, it works just as well on vegetable adverse adults!

We both loved it and the leftovers re-heat really well! It’s definitely the pitta and halloumi that makes it so delicious but the red onion play a big part too, so don’t miss those out!

Warm butternut squash, pitta chip and halloumi salad, serves 4

Adapted from Deb Perelman’s recipe (I substituted cabbage for kale).

5 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp Aleppo pepper

1 red onion, cut into wedges

1 butternut squash, halved seeds removed and sliced 1,5 cm thick

1-2 white pitta breads, cut into triangular pieces

1 packet halloumi, sliced

4 stems of kale, leaves only

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

1 1/2 tsp sumac

mint sprigs for serving (optional)

Preheat oven to 220°C. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tbsp oil. Mix garlic, salt, Aleppo pepper and 3 tbsp oil in a large bowl. Add onion and squash and toss to coat. Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and roast until squash is browned underneath, approx 30 minutes.

Toss pitta, halloumi and kale and remaining 1 tbsp oil in a bowl. Scatter over the squash and onions, then turn vegetables over with a large spatula. Roast until squash is fork-tender and onion, pitta, and Halloumi are browned in spots, 10-15minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with vinegar (or lemon juice). Top with sumac and mint.