Warm Winter-Vegetable Salad

Momma de Finn's Note:

Food & Wine, March 2010. Winter vegetables like carrots, beets, parsnips and celery root are still plentiful in March and are terrific when roasted until sweet and blistered.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 mall red onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
• 1 small sweet potato, cut into 1 inch pieces (about 8 oz)
• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
• 1 parsnip, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
• 1 small celery root, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces (about 12 oz)
• 1 small beet, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 ounce feta, crumbled (1/4 cup)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a medium roasting pan, toss the onion, sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, celery root and beet with 2 tbl of the olive oil. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and roast for about 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender and lightly browned in spots.
3. Meanwhile, spread the walnuts in a pie plate and toast until golden, about 6 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a work surface and coarsely chop.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with the lemon juice, mustard and the remaining 1 tbl of olive oil and fold in the parsley, Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the vegetables and walnuts to the dressing and toss. Top the salad with the feta and serve warm or at room temperature.