Roasted Acorn Squash Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 Acorn Squash 
• 1 C Raw Pecans
• 2 TBSP Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Cayenne Powder
• 1/3 C Pomegranate Arils
• Juice from 1 Lemon
• 1 TBSP Honey
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 4-8 C Mixed Greens depending on how many you'd like to serve

For the dressing

• 1/3 C Olive Oil
• 1/1 C Balsamic Vinaigrette  
• 1 TBSP Berry Reserves of your choice (Try Fig!)
• 1 TBSP Orange Zest (Lemon can be substituted)
• 2 TBSP Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice  (Lemon can be substituted)
• Salt and Pepper to Taste 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
   Cut acorn squash into small sections, about 1 to 2 inches each as show in photos. Spread out over a greased baking sheet (I use coconut or olive oil). Squeeze lemon and honey evenly over each piece, then dust with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
   
   While the squash is baking, this is a good time to prep your pecans and to make your salad dressing. In a mixing bowl, add pecans, maple syrup and cayenne and toss so that every pecan is coated. You can also use honey if you don't have maple syrup. Spread out on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes.
   
   In another mixing bowl, add olive oil, balsamic, orange juice, zest and berry reserves. Whisk together and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
   
   Once squash is cool, place mixed greens in a large salad bowl and add toppings. Give the salad a gentle toss and slowly begin to add dressing. Adding goat cheese and/or red onion is highly recommended!

WHY THIS IS GOOD FOR YOU

• Acorn Squash - This delicious squash provides a number of important nutrients but is an excellent way to get your vitamin C. According to a study published in Fertility and Sterility, "a moderate amount of supplemental vitamin C improves hormone levels and increases fertility." Not only does it increase progesterone levels, the study found that women who added more Vitamin C to their diets had a significantly higher pregnancy rate than the group of women who had little to no Vitamin C each day. Try to get 750MG of Vitamin C per day. 
• Pomegranates - Also contain a healthy dose of Vitamin C and antioxidants, they have also been rumored to promote fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus. It also contains folic acid, a necessary nutrient during pregnancy.