Lunch: Roasted Squash, Chestnut, and Chicory Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

An Italian salad of squash, chicory, pancetta, and chestnuts gets an American spin from a tart cranberry vinaigrette.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cranberries, Nuts

Health and fertility benefits of Roasted Squash, Chestnut, and Chicory Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for greasing
1 2-pound acorn squash
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup peeled cooked whole chestnuts (from a 7- to 8-oince jar), cut into thirds
4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices pancetta (6 ounce total), cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/4 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
3/4 pound chicory (curly endive), trimmed and torn into 2-inch pieces (10 cups)

Instructions

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450 °F. Line a large shallow baking pan with foil and oil generously with olive oil.
Cut off stem end of squash, then put cut side down and halve lengthwise. Discard seeds, then cut squash into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Peel if desired with a paring knife and transfer slices to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and gently toss to coat. Arrange in 1 layer in lined baking pan and roast until golden, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and turn squash over with a spatula. Add chestnuts to pan in an even layer, then continue to roast until squash is golden and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Keep warm, covered with foil.
While squash is roasting, cook pancetta in a dry 10-inch heavy skillet over high heat until browned, about 4 minutes total. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet.
Reheat pancetta fat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then add cranberries and brown sugar and stir once to combine. Remove from heat and add water, stirring and scraping up brown bits from bottom of skillet.
Transfer cranberry mixture to a medium bowl and whisk in mustard, remaining tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Toss together chicory, roasted acorn squash, and chestnuts. Just before serving, toss with dressing and sprinkle with pancetta.

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