Roasted Pumpkin & Fennel Salad With Goat Cheese & Maple

DIRECTIONS

• VINAIGRETTE:
• Place mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a wooden bowl. Using a fork, grind to a paste. Add vinegar, maple syrup and olive oil, whisking until smooth,
• SALAD:
• Remove top from pumpkin, scoop it insides and slice into wedges. Cut meat into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Remove fronds from fennel, cut bulb in half; slice one half, saving remaining half for future use.
• Toss pumpkin and fennel in half the vinaigrette. Place on baking sheet in 350F oven. Braise for 30 minutes, or until brown, Remove from oven.
• Place salad on plate; arrange pumpkin and fennel on top. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette, and top with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds.
• TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS:
• Remove seeds from pumpkin. Spread on baking sheet, and let dry overnight.
• Rub the seeds between your hands to remove any dried bits of flesh, Toss seeds lightly in a bit of olive oil, enough to coat; add just enough salt to flavour. Return to baking sheet, and place in 225F oven. Roast for an hour and 15 minutes, turning occasionally.
• Let cool, then eat like a sunflower seed, or whole.
• VARIATION: Add cayenne or curry to olive oil for a bit of heat; cinnamon with honey or maple syrup for a hint of sweetness.