Autumn Apple Pepita Salad

I work in natural foods and some of the items we sell at the store, such as pepitas, dried apple chips, and apple cider vinegar, inspired me to create this recipe. Pepitas are Mexican pumpkin seeds and a perfect crunchy topping for this fall-influenced salad.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 374 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced shallot
• ¼ cup hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil, or as needed (Optional)
• 3 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves
• 3 cups torn baby spinach
• 1 cup dried apple chips
• ¼ cup crumbled bleu cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Toss pepitas with 1 teaspoon olive oil in a bowl; spread onto a baking sheet.

Step 2

Toast in the preheated oven until pepitas start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

Step 3

Combine 1/3 cup olive oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, mayonnaise, shallot, and black pepper together in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Screw on lid tightly and shake dressing vigorously.

Step 4

Toss the toasted pepitas, dressing, romaine lettuce, spinach, apple chips, cranberries, and bleu cheese together in a large bowl.