Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Harvest Salad

At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we love bringing together trusted partners who share our values of quality, transparency, and care. This Warm Salmon, Red Kuri Squash & Apple Salad does just that—pairing vibrant produce from Cliff’s Country Market with premium wild-caught sockeye salmon from Alsek Fish LLC. The result is a hearty, nourishing salad that tastes like autumn in a bowl.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Salad:

• 1 medium red kuri squash from Cliff’s Country Market, peeled, seeded, and cubed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 ½ pounds Cunningham Pastured Meats Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon (sourced from Alsek Fish LLC)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing, if not baking)

• 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), sliced thin — also available at Cliff’s

• 6 cups arugula or baby spinach (Cliff’s seasonal greens)

• ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped

• Optional: ¼ cup goat cheese or feta

For the Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (optional)

• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

• Salt & pepper, to taste

🔪 Instructions

1. Roast the Squash
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping once, until tender and caramelized.

2. Cook the Salmon

• Pan-seared: Heat oil in skillet. Season salmon, cook skin-side down 4–5 minutes, then flip and cook 3–4 more minutes.

• Baked: Place salmon on parchment-lined pan, season, and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes until it flakes.
  Cool slightly, then flake into hearty chunks.

1. Make the Dressing
   Whisk vinaigrette ingredients until smooth and emulsified. Adjust to taste.

2. Assemble the Salad
   Toss greens with half the vinaigrette. Arrange squash, apples, salmon, and pecans on top. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Add goat cheese if desired.

🌊 About the Salmon: Know Your Fisherman

Our salmon comes from Alsek Fish LLC, a small fishing family that spends summers in Southeast Alaska and calls the Treasure Valley home the rest of the year. They fish the Alsek River, a glacier-fed river that averages just 39°F. Those icy waters mean salmon from this run naturally carry higher levels of healthy fats and Omega-3s—fuel for their long journey home.

Alsek Fish LLC catches and processes every fillet themselves, so when you buy from Cunningham Pastured Meats, you truly know your fisherman.

🌱 About the Produce: Local & Fresh from Cliff’s

From the earthy sweetness of red kuri squash to the crisp bite of Idaho-grown apples, all of the fresh produce in this salad is available at Cliff’s Country Market. It’s the perfect way to enjoy seasonal flavors while supporting local growers.

✨ Why You’ll Love It

• Sweet, savory, nutty, and tangy flavors in every bite

• Features Cliff’s seasonal produce and Alsek wild-caught salmon

• Balanced enough for lunch, hearty enough for dinner

• A celebration of real food from trusted families and local farms