When you hear Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash, you assume it’s a salad, right?

But, when I think about Caprese Salad, I usually think appetizer.

Thick tomato and mozzarella slices paired with basil, olive oil, and balsamic. Or the mini version using grape tomatoes and mozzarella squares on toothpicks.

So, is this Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash a salad or an appetizer?

I think it can be either.

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Butternut Squash Apple Bruschetta The combination of baked butternut squash and apple paired with creamy ricotta on top of a crostini provides all the textures your mouth didn’t even know it needed.

Sweet Potato Crostini With two topping options, this is a quick two-for-one appetizer. Choose either the salmon or cranberry toppings. Or choose both!

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Apple, and Gruyere Bites What’s not to love about a puff pastry appetizer? And this Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Apple, & Gruyere Bites recipe pairs that flaky, buttery base with a savory vegetarian topper.

Simple to Make | Made to Impress−Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash

Get the recipe from: Get Inspired Everyday

Missing the simple and classic Caprese Salad of summer? Here’s a way to transition that same idea into the winter months.

It’s simple.

It’s deconstructed.

And it’s delicious.

Make this for your next party, holiday, or even weeknight meal. You’ll want to eat it every day.

And, you can easily scale this up for a hearty salad or serve it in smaller portions for an impressive appetizer.

Ingredients for the Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash

Eight things to know about the Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash recipe:

  • This recipe is very Simple to Make, scales easily, and is truly Made to Impress. My favorite recipes combine simplicity with a high degree of impressiveness and this Winter Caprese Salad delivers. There is nothing technically difficult about making this dish and the deep flavor of the delicata squash offers an updated and warm take on the traditional preparation.
  • Take the time to fully clean out the squash. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and all the strings. Dig a bit into the squash to fully remove those strings. That’s a texture you definitely do NOT want when you bit into this salad.
  • Bake the squash until they’re soft in the center and caramelized on the outside. If you need to flip them a few times during the cooking process to get that caramelization, do it. If your oven doesn’t heat evenly, shift the slices around on the baking sheet so they caramelize evenly. You want a sticky, crisp exterior and a soft interior.
  • If you’re making this for Thanksgiving (or another cooking-intensive holiday), you could make the squash in an air fryer instead of the oven. You’ll still get perfectly-cooked, crispy, caramelized squash. OR, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake your squash early in the day and pop it back in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes to reheat and crisp up the exterior. If you do that, remember to flip the squash once so both sides are crispy.
Caramelized Delicata squash slices.
  • You’ll need to reduce balsamic vinegar for this recipe. Don’t worry. It’s not difficult. Simply pour 1/2 C balsamic vinegar into a saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until the vinegar has reduced by half. The result will be a concentrated, thickened version of balsamic vinegar.
  • Play with the amount of mozzarella. I purchased pre-sliced mozzarella and the slices were pretty thick. This threw off the ingredient balance a bit for me and I’ll cut back how much I use next time. Find the balance that works for you.
  • Julienne the basil for an elevated presentation. Stack your basil leaves, roll them and then slice the leaves. You’ll get gorgeous basil strips that will beautify this already stunning dish.
  • Use this recipe as either an appetizer or a salad. This can be a very hearty appetizer, but can also serve as a hearty salad with dinner. I served it with simple salt and pepper grilled chicken and stacked a bite of chicken with the salad. Absolutely delicious!

Drop me a note when you make this winterized version of the traditional Caprese Salad!

Winter Caprese Salad with Caramelized Delicata Squash