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Home » Popular » vegetarian » Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash

Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash

November 6, 2011 by Savoring Italy

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Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash is one of my favorite fall salads. Made with sweet butternut squash, and healthy Swiss chard and zucchini. Even your kids will enjoy this!

overhead image of isreali couscous with butternut squash
I think I can find a recipe to make every day of the week with pumpkins and squash. Sweet or savory, they are happily welcomed in our kitchen in the cooler days of fall.

We make pasta almost every day. On some days I like to change things up a bit and make Israeli Couscous salads. I love to eat them at room temperature and the ingredients can be changed according to the season.

Healthy and delicious, this is a dish even my kids love. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you have to give this recipe a try.

overhead image of kale

What is difference between Israeli Couscous and regular couscous?

Regular Couscous is made from semolina and they steam it before they dry it. You’re probably like me and first learned about couscous by eating the convenient instant one. You just add the boiling water and in not even 5 minutes you have lovely couscous ready.

Israeli Couscous, also called Ptitum and pearl couscous was created in Israel. It was created at a time when rice was not so easy to find for everyone and the Osem food company created a hard wheat flour based small balls to replace rice. It was much larger than North African couscous and they even shaped it first to look like rice and then it became the small balls we know today. Very popular with children in Israel and very popular here in the States. Just look for it at your local market or even Middle Eastern specialty market.

You could serve this salad warm,  or at room temperature, and it truly gets better as the  flavors meld together.

Printable recipe below.

Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash

 

2 cups of Israeli couscous
boiled, until fully cooked, drained in a colander,
and rinsed with cold water.
4-6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch red Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped, sliced thin
1 small organic zucchini, sliced
1 small bunch of flat leaf parsley (you can use basil, as well)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tsp of rice vinegar, or other mild vinegar
1 1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled and seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Roast in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until squash is just tender, and transfer to a large bowl (don’t overcook).

Swiss chard: Rinse the leaves well in water. Then cut the last half-inch or so off from the ends of each stem. Add 2-3 inches of water into the bottom of a 4 or 5 quart sauce pan, and put on the stove on high heat. You can chop up the rinsed leaves and stems while the water comes to a boil. In a medium sauce pan, when the water is boiling well, pack the chopped greens into the pan and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and let the greens steam for 10-11 minutes.

While the squash and chard is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and cook the onions and zucchini over medium-high heat with a bit of salt until the onions are translucent.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Israeli couscous until tender, about 10 minutes.
When the chard is tender, drain and add to a large serving dish. Add the onions and zucchini.
overhead image of cous cous salad

Scrape the butternut squash into the bowl.Drain but don’t rinse the Israeli couscous and add to the large serving dish.

overhead image of yellow vegetable with cous cous
Mix together with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste. Mix together the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and fold in gently all the other ingredients.
Can be served at room temperature.Refrigerate any leftovers.
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Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash

Israeli Couscous Salad with Butternut Squash is one of my favorite fall salads. Made with sweet butternut squash, and healthy Swiss chard and zucchini. Even your kids will enjoy this!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butternut squash, couscous, vegan
Servings: 4
Author: Lora

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of Israeli couscous
  • boiled until fully cooked, drained in a colander,
  • and rinsed with cold water.
  • 4-6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch red Swiss chard rinsed and chopped, sliced thin
  • 1 small organic zucchini sliced
  • 1 small bunch of flat leaf parsley you can use basil, as well
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp of rice vinegar or other mild vinegar
  • 1 1/2 pound butternut squash peeled and seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 475°F.
  • Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Roast in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until squash is just tender, and transfer to a large bowl (don’t overcook).
  • Swiss chard: Rinse the leaves well in water. Then cut the last half-inch or so off from the ends of each stem. Add 2-3 inches of water into the bottom of a 4 or 5 quart sauce pan, and put on the stove on high heat. You can chop up the rinsed leaves and stems while the water comes to a boil. In a medium sauce pan, when the water is boiling well, pack the chopped greens into the pan and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and let the greens steam for 10-11 minutes.
  • While the squash and chard is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and cook the onions and zucchini over medium-high heat with a bit of salt until the onions are translucent.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Israeli couscous until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • When the chard is tender, drain and add to a large serving dish. Add the onions and zucchini.
  • Scrape the butternut squash into the bowl.Drain but don’t rinse the Israeli couscous and add to the large serving dish.
  • Mix together with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste. Mix together the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and fold in gently all the other ingredients.
  • Can be served at room temperature.Refrigerate any leftovers.
Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!

 

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Comments

  1. Ciccia says

    November 6, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Delicious, I'll have it for dinner tonight please!!!

    Reply
  2. Junia says

    November 6, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    i love the idea of combining butternut with couscous! how DELICIOUS. i'm SO HAPPY you are hosting with us for this month!!! 😀 😀 sending some #squashlove to u!

    Reply
  3. Georgie says

    November 6, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    This is a great recipe Lora. Reminds me of childhood fall dinners, my mother made something similar with spinach and squash. It's pure goodness – comfort food for me.

    Reply
  4. Baker Street says

    November 6, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    What a lovely recipe lora! Butternut and couscous! Just divine! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sandra says

    November 6, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    This looks wonderful, and I have feeling taste even better. Love the colors of fall, and all the ingredients above! Nicely done..

    Reply
  6. Yummy Mummy says

    November 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    This looks delish and I love Israeli Cousous! I linked up my most recent squash recipe 🙂 Thank for the hop!

    Reply
  7. foodwanderings says

    November 6, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Did I hear Israeli couscous?! Heehee you got my attention!! I love this and for the first time the other day I tried boiling it like pasta, the method you used here and it worked wonders! It is such a quick packed with flavors dish. Just delicious! Love that click f the chard. I should cook with it more ofte, Love cohosting with you my friend Lora!

    Reply
  8. Annapet says

    November 6, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Lora, I have been wanting to make something with Israeli Couscous and I am so happy you shared this recipe!

    Happy to celebrate Squash Love with you!

    Reply
  9. Reem | Simply Reem says

    November 6, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Beautiful Lora!!!!1
    I never thought of squash with couscous, I bet this taste super delicious!!!!
    Great Recipe dear.

    Reply
  10. EA-The Spicy RD says

    November 6, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Love how pretty and colorful this salad is, and it looks delicious too! I can't eat couscous because of the gluten, but I bet this would be fabulous with quinoa too. Happy #squashlove ! Xoxoxo

    Reply
  11. Reeni says

    November 6, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    This is full of everything I love and I could eat it hot or cold too! I'll be back to link up this week – butternut squash was already on my menu! xoxo

    Reply
  12. The Mistress of Spices says

    November 6, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Looks wonderful and delicious! What a great combination of flavors!

    Reply
  13. Magic of Spice says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:17 am

    Beautifully colored dish and lovely mix of flavors! Will try and do a squash dish soon 🙂

    Reply
  14. Happy When Not Hungry says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:30 am

    This looks beautiful! I love Israel couscous but have never made it with butternut squash before. Great recipe!

    Reply
  15. Jennifurla says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:51 am

    Looks wonderful, I should make more weeknight dishes like this.

    Reply
  16. Rosita Vargas says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Un plato espectacular luce sabroso y tentador,abrazos grandes hugs,hugs.

    Reply
  17. Lizzy says

    November 7, 2011 at 1:15 am

    Just stunning, Lora!!! I love Israeli couscous…and who could resist this beautiful dish? Hope your weekend was as lovely as you~

    Reply
  18. Our Eyes Eat First says

    November 7, 2011 at 3:19 am

    I havent experimented with swiss chard yet – but this looks like a lovely start – great combo of squash and chard!

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    November 7, 2011 at 5:16 am

    What a wonderful salad! We love couscous!

    Reply
  20. Carolyn says

    November 7, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    Looks delicious, and so healthy! My husband loves Israeli couscous, I know I need to make this for him!

    Reply
  21. Paula says

    November 7, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    This is such a colourful salad. Perfect for Fall!

    Reply
  22. Monet says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:00 am

    Yay for squash…and for Israeli couscous! Both so very good. Thank you for sharing another heartfelt post and recipe, Lora. Many blessings this week!

    Reply
  23. Becky says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Your squash dish is just gorgeous, with squash, Swiss chard and Israeli Cous Cous. Congrats on the Top 9 today.

    I linked up my Squash recipe to your Linky party! Thank you!

    Reply
  24. Jessica / Green Skies and Sugar Trips says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    ooooh this sounds divine!! and congrats on foodbuzz!!!

    And I LOVE Squash!!! It's the best part of winter! Well one of the best parts! 😉

    Reply
  25. Amy says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    This looks great, how much onion (and what kind) do you use? I do not see onion listed in the ingredients, only in the pics and instructions. Thanks!

    Reply
  26. BigBearswife says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    I love the colors!

    Reply
  27. Anonymous says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    That looks gorgeous – love the large couscous pearls 🙂 I'm definitely trying this one, I have all the ingredients at home already 🙂

    Reply
  28. Priscilla - She's Cookin' says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    Beautiful colors and perfect fall dish. Love squash and swiss chard, so this is a winner!

    Reply
  29. Nancy says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Isn't it amazing how such simple ingredients can be combined into a dish that is so much greater than the individual parts? This is definitely one of those dishes!! So colorful and so pretty – what more could we ask for??

    Reply
  30. Elizabeth @Mango_Queen says

    November 17, 2011 at 12:40 am

    We love Israeli couscous for family dinners, and this is a great new idea for me to make. Thanks! Glad to cook along with you on this event!

    Reply
  31. Terra says

    November 17, 2011 at 3:15 am

    This dish looks sooooo pretty! I love the addition of swiss chard, gorgeous!!! Beauiful, Hugs, Terra

    Reply

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