A Calculated Whisk

Creative paleo and gluten-free recipes

Strawberry Avocado Salad with Candied Pepitas

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This post is sponsored by Cavit.

This refreshing strawberry and avocado salad with candied pepitas is a perfect way to enjoy spring produce, perhaps alongside a glass of crisp pinot grigio.

Guess what? Yesterday was my birthday, and tomorrow is the very first National Pinot Grigio Day! With so much to celebrate, I decided a really fun salad was in order. This strawberry and avocado salad is loaded with sweet and salty candied pepitas, vibrant radishes, fresh romaine, and a cumin-lime dressing. I’ve been making various iterations of this salad for a few weeks now, and when I have them on hand I also like to add thinly sliced scallions and sugar snaps and a handful of fresh cilantro leaves.

This salad pairs incredibly well with Cavit‘s pinot grigio, which is light and refreshing with a hint of fruity flavors and only a tad bit of sweetness. It’s cold-fermented in cutting edge thermo-conditioned tanks, which make it taste extra fresh and springy. I recommend enjoying a glass of well-chilled pinot grigio on your porch or in your backyard alongside a big plate of this salad.

If you pay close attention to my posts, you may remember that this is my second collaboration with Cavit. Around the holidays, I made persimmon bacon bites that also pair well with their pinot grigio–it just goes so swimmingly with fruit! I highly recommend bookmarking that one to make as soon as persimmons come back into season.

For now, though, this salad is the ideal way to celebrate spring and National Pinot Grigio Day. The candied pepitas are made quickly on the stovetop with honey, sea salt, and a sprinkling of smoked paprika, and are just as good for snacking on by the handful as they are in this salad. The dressing is a classic vinaigrette made with lime juice, plus a little earthiness and spice from the cumin and coriander. And, as the stars of the show, creamy avocado and juicy strawberries make an amazing pair, each bringing out the best of the other’s textures and flavors.

Cheers to big spring salads (and big glasses of wine)!

If there aren’t a million toppings on a salad, I don’t want anything to do with it.

Strawberry Avocado Salad with Candied Pepitas

Strawberry Avocado Salad with Candied Pepitas

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This refreshing strawberry and avocado salad with candied pepitas is a perfect way to enjoy spring produce, perhaps alongside a glass of crisp pinot grigio.

Ingredients

For the candied pepitas:

  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 3/4 cup pepitas
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • Pinch or two of sea salt, to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika, or to taste

For the cumin-lime dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the salad:

  • 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 2 small Hass avocados, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
  • Juice of half a lime
  • Sea salt
  • 2 radishes, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
  • 2 scallions, ends trimmed, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced on the diagonal (optional)
  • 2 scallions, ends trimmed, thinly sliced on the diagonal (optional)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. First, make the candied pepitas. Heat the avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment. Add the pepitas, honey, salt, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until very little liquid is left in the skillet. Transfer the pepitas to the parchment and spread them out in a thin layer. Cool to room temperature before adding to the salad.
  2. Next, make the cumin-lime dressing. Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl or shake them in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Whisk or shake again right before serving.
  3. To assemble the salad, toss the lettuce with dressing to taste and spread it out on a platter. Layer the strawberries, radishes, and any optional ingredients on top. Sprinkle lime juice and salt on top of the avocado slices and add them to the salad. Break the candied pepitas into small pieces and sprinkle those on top. Drizzle with additional dressing to taste and serve right away.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 282mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 8gSugar: 15gProtein: 8g

The nutrition label provided is an estimate for informational purposes only and may not be accurate. I am not a nutritionist or medical professional.

© Becky Winkler
Category: Gluten free, Grain free, Paleo, Vegetarian, Salad

This post is sponsored by Cavit. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that keep A Calculated Whisk up and running!

Comments

  7. Cristina Curp says

    Hold on, hold on… how did you get your avocado pit out?? Those avo rings are magic! Well, the whole spread is just stunning!!

    Reply

    • Becky says

      Thank you, Cristina! To cut them like this you just have to slice the avocado around the middle crosswise instead of lengthwise and twist the halves apart. Then, use a knife to get the pit out the same as you would the other way (I carefully hold the avo with a big dishcloth protecting my hand, then stick the knife blade in and twist).

      Reply

  12. Get Inspired Everyday! says

    Strawberries and avocado are the best together, and I bet they pair perfectly with that Pinot Grigio! It doesn’t hurt there’s candied pumpkin seeds in there too, this salad is just packed with awesome!

    Reply

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