Sweet potato, apple and chipotle pepper come together for a vegetarian fall salad with a smoky kick. Thanks to the American Diabetes Association for sponsoring this post and helping me to share this recipe with you.
If I had to describe autumn in nothing but food words (really, that’s the only way I describe anything), sweet potato and apple would be near the top of the list. This vibrant salad not only embraces the flavors of autumn, but it is rich in vitamins and minerals.
More and more people are incorporating meatless meals into their diets, both for health and ethical reasons. However, many home cooks find vegetarian cooking intimidating. “How the heck do I make a meal taste good without using red meat, poultry and plenty of butter?” They are worried that their families will scoff at the thought of vegetarian meals because many people think that healthy eating must mean boring eating.
I hear you, and I feel your pain. But let me assure you that there are plenty of ways to infuse flavor into meals, using spices and herbs that will leave your family begging for more.
As part of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 30 Days of Family Health, in partnership with Kitchen PLAY, I was able to pick a recipe out of The American Diabetes Association Vegetarian Cookbook by Chef Steven Petusevsky, and this sweet potato and apple salad caught my eye immediately.
This hearty salad is both savory and naturally sweet, and gets a jolt of smoky heat from the chipotle lime dressing. I removed the seeds from the chipotle peppers, for fear of seeing steam blowing out of my kids’ ears, and didn’t use all of the dressing on the salad. But let me tell you, this salad is a keeper. The flavors will satisfy your taste buds from front to back.
The cookbook is packed to the brim with other tasty recipes, such as Pumpkin Chowder with Toasted Pepitas, Autumn Skillet Paella and Pear and Stilton Cobbler with Pecans, as well as suggestions for stocking your pantry to make the preparation of vegetarian meals quick and easy.
Other vegetarian recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Easy Rice Bowl with Black Beans, Avocado & Cilantro Dressing
Cookin' Canuck's Curry Red Lentil Stew with Tomatoes
Printable Recipe
Sweet Potato & Apple Salad with Chipotle Lime Dressing
Ingredients
The Salad:
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ¾-inch dice
- 1 large apple such as Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith, cut into ½-inch chunks
- ½ medium red bell pepper chopped
- ½ green pepper chopped
- 1 celery stalk chopped
- ¼ red onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
The Dressing:
- 2 chipotle chilies en adobo
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or molasses
- 2 tablespoons tomato catsup
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
The Salad:
- Place the sweet potatoes in boiling, lightly salted water in a large saucepan and boil, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside on a plate.
- Combine the apple, bell peppers, celery, red onion, and cilantro in a large bowl. Add the cooked potatoes, mixing lightly.
The Dressing:
- Combine all the dressing ingredients, except for the oil, in a food processor and puree together. Drizzle in the oil and continue to process until thick.
- Add the dressing to the vegetables and toss well.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies
Sweet potatoes make me so happy--I love them! And combining them with apples sounds fantastic.
Nutmeg Nanny
This salad is so vibrant 🙂 and the dressing, sounds incredible!!
Heather @girlichef
Those colors! And that dressing! This is another one that needs to grace my Thanksgiving table this year...it looks fantastic, and sounds even better.
Donna
Just stunning - who says sweet potatoes must have marshmallows on top???
Sarah W. Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
Oh yum ... that's a beautiful salad. And I love the intersection of flavors and textures in it.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Beautiful, creative and healthy. Sounds like a winner to me!
ashley - baker by nature
This is seriously one of the most amazing Fall salads EVER! Gorgeous job!!!
Lail | With A Spin
Yummiliscious salad. Perfect for fall.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
Love the sound of this salad and that fabulous dressing! 🙂
Jeanette
I love the vibrant colors in this healthy Fall salad Dara!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love these flavors! That chipotle lime dressing sounds fantastic!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Loving all the colors, fall flavors and textures 🙂
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I'm pretty sure I could drink that dressing with a spoon!! Gorgeous photos Dara!
steph@stephsbitebybite
Why have I never thought to make a salad out of sweet potatoes? YUM!
Tieghan
This is so my kind of salad. I love the spiciness of the chipotle with the sweet potatoes and apples. I have been working that combo so much lately. It is perfect! I can't wait to make this!
SMITH BITES
that salad is a thing of beauty Dara - gorgeous colors and the dressing works perfectly!