Harvest Chopped Salad
Harvest Chopped Salad with Medjool Dates, Manchego & Farro
By David Kim
May 01, 2025
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This vibrant harvest chopped salad creates a symphony of flavors and textures, where the chewy ancient grain farro serves as the perfect canvas for sweet Medjool dates, tangy golden berries, and the rich saltiness of Manchego cheese. What makes this salad truly special is the way each ingredient maintains its distinct personality while contributing to a harmonious whole. The dates provide bursts of caramel-like sweetness, the golden berries offer bright acidity, the apple brings refreshing crunch, and the Manchego delivers savory depth that ties everything together.
What makes this harvest chopped salad particularly remarkable is its perfect balance of nutritional density and indulgent flavor. The farro provides a satisfying chewiness and substantial protein, making this dish hearty enough to serve as a light meal. Meanwhile, the golden berries offer antioxidants and vitamin C, the pumpkin seeds contribute essential minerals and healthy fats, and the Manchego cheese delivers calcium alongside its rich flavor profile. This thoughtful combination of ingredients creates a dish that feels both nourishing and luxurious.
In contemporary food culture, grain-based salads like this harvest chopped salad have evolved from simple side dishes to Instagram-worthy centerpieces that showcase seasonal ingredients and global flavor influences. This particular combination, with its Spanish cheese, Middle Eastern dates, and ancient Italian grain, represents the beautiful cross-cultural exchange that defines modern cuisine. Whether served at a casual lunch gathering, packed for a gourmet picnic, or presented as part of a dinner party spread, this salad embodies the current culinary zeitgeist of dishes that are visually stunning, nutritionally balanced, and globally inspired.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors
- Multiple textures from chewy farro to crunchy seeds
- Nutrient-dense ingredients that create a satisfying meal
- Make-ahead friendly for meal prep
- Versatile as a side or main dish with protein added
- Visually stunning presentation with minimal effort
WHAT IS HARVEST CHOPPED SALAD?
Harvest chopped salad is a vibrant, texture-rich dish featuring farro (an ancient wheat grain) tossed with sweet Medjool dates, tangy golden berries, crisp apples, and savory Manchego cheese, all brought together with a champagne vinaigrette. The ingredients are chopped to similar sizes, allowing each bite to contain multiple flavors and textures. Served at room temperature, this versatile salad works beautifully as both a standalone light meal or an impressive side dish.
Key ingredients from this recipe include:
- Organic Farro
- Medjool Dates
- Dried Golden Berries
- Authentic Spanish Manchego Cheese
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds
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Ingredients
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For the Salad:
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For the Champagne Vinaigrette:
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Instructions
- 1
Rinse the farro thoroughly under cold water. Add to a pot with 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- 2
Cook until the grains are tender but still chewy (al dente), about 25 minutes. Drain the farro and spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
- 3
For the vinaigrette, combine champagne vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the cooled farro, chopped Medjool dates, golden berries, diced apple, and Manchego cheese.
- 5
Add about half of the vinaigrette to the farro mixture and toss gently to combine. Taste and add more dressing if needed.
- 6
To serve, arrange mixed greens on a platter or individual plates, top with the farro mixture, and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds.
- 7
Drizzle with additional vinaigrette if desired and serve at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
RECIPE TIPS
- Cook farro just until al dente – overcooked farro becomes mushy
- Cool the farro completely before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting
- Chop all ingredients to similar sizes for the perfect bite
- Make the vinaigrette ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to one week
- Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant for enhanced flavor
- For best flavor, allow salad to sit for 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve with:
- Grilled or roasted salmon for a complete meal
- Rotisserie chicken for added protein
- Crusty artisan bread and good olive oil
- As part of a mezze platter with hummus and olives
- Alongside soup for a perfect lunch combination
- At room temperature for best flavor
VARIATIONS
- Substitute quinoa or barley for the farro for different texture
- Add roasted butternut squash cubes in fall and winter
- Use goat cheese instead of Manchego for a tangier flavor
- Include fresh herbs like mint or basil in summer
- Add pomegranate seeds when in season for color and flavor
- Make it vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey and omitting the cheese
STORAGE
- Store dressed salad (without greens) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Keep vinaigrette separately for up to 1 week refrigerated
- For meal prep, store components separately and assemble just before serving
- Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor
- Add greens and pumpkin seeds just before serving to maintain crispness
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
* Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.
