Harvest Grain Bowl Pumpkin Kale (Printable)

Nutty grains combined with roasted pumpkin and crisp kale create a hearty, autumn-inspired bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro or quinoa, uncooked
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables

03 - 3 cups pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
04 - 2 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings & Garnish

09 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
10 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
11 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ Dressing

13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss pumpkin cubes and sliced red onion with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
03 - While roasting, rinse farro or quinoa. Combine grains with vegetable broth or water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook farro for 25 to 30 minutes or quinoa for 15 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - During the last 5 minutes of roasting, add chopped kale to the baking sheet. Toss gently and return to the oven until kale wilts and develops slightly crisp edges.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
06 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with roasted pumpkin, onion, kale, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and feta cheese if desired. Drizzle with prepared dressing and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything roasts on one pan while the grains simmer, so cleanup is almost nonexistent.
  • The textures are incredible: chewy grains, tender sweet pumpkin, crispy kale edges, and crunchy seeds all in one bite.
  • It tastes just as good cold the next day, which means you can pack it for lunch without reheating.
  • You can swap nearly every ingredient based on what's in your pantry and it still works beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't skip flipping the pumpkin halfway through roasting, the underside will burn and the top stays pale if you forget.
  • If your kale seems too thick or tough, massage it with a little olive oil before adding it to the pan.
  • Let the grains cool slightly before assembling, hot grains will wilt the kale and make everything soggy.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper on your baking sheet, it prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier.
  • Taste your dressing before you drizzle it, every batch of vinegar and mustard is a little different.
  • If you're making this vegan, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
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