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Masala-roasted pumpkin salad with halloumi and rocket

by Jeanne Horak on August 1, 2014 27 Comments in Gluten-free, Main course - vegetarian, Salads, Starters & light meals, Vegetarian

MasalaRoastedButternutSaladTitle © J Horak-Druiff 2014

One of the most often-quoted bits of linguistic trivia is the fact that the Inuit peoples have more words for snow that any other language – somewhere between 50 and 100, depending on which languages you include in your survey (to be fair, these words refer to both ice and snow!).  At the other extreme, the language of the Amazonian  Amondawa tribe has no words for periods of time like ‘month’ or ‘year’. Their culture evolved without calendars and rather than giving themselves ages, the Amondawa people take different names at different times in their lives, and also cannot describe ‘time’ as an abstract concept.  The Inuit have an intense need to differentiate between minutely different types of frozen water, while the Amondawa have no need to demarcate their lives in the hours, days or years, and in this way both their languages are shaped and determined by the context of their daily lives.

 

Ah – context again. I’ve been thinking about context lately in relation to the insanely good summer we are having here in the UK.  I often complain that the problem with the UK is that summer comes in 2-day instalments: two hot days, then three chilly days; then three hot days, then five days of rain.  You can never settle into a routine (or a seasonal wardrobe!). But this year we have had 3 weeks now of fairly uninterrupted (in London anyway!) hot weather – sunny days and humid nights.  When the weather forecaster comes on in the evening and there is a looming cold front coming from the Atlantic, he comes over all doom and gloom, saying things like “but by Thursday it will all be over and the rain will return” and everyone gets a little depressed.  It always strikes me how different things are in South Africa, a country consisting of large chunks of arid semi-desert.  You can’t talk to a farmer for more than five minutes without the topic of rain coming up – usually the fact that they have not had enough! Whereas the arrival of rain is cause for depression in England, it is cause for great celebration in countries like Africa or India, where the annual monsoon is regularly welcomed with a profusion of colourful celebrations.

 

MasalaMonsoonPots © J Horak-Druiff 2014

 

The festival of Teej is one of the many monsoon festivals of India, taking place over two days in July/August, where married women celebrate by singing, dancing, telling stories, cooking festive foods, having their hands painted with henna, and wearing new clothes in shades of red, yellow and green. These same three colours are reflected in the gorgeous packaging for Masala Monsoon spices – a selection of floral garam masala blends created by Sumayya Usmani.  Originally from Pakistan, Sumayya wanted people to understand that using spice  in cooking is more complex than simply adding chilli to food – it’s also about how much to add, the correct stage of cooking at which to add, which elements of the food you want the spice to emphasise, and how the spice flavours are layered in a dish.

 

MasalaroastedPumpkinsaladDiptych © J Horak-Druiff 2014

 

The three garam masalas in her first spice range can be used as rubs, sprinkles, marinades or simply to add to stews or curries.  Each blend is subtly differentiated by the addition of a different floral flavour:  rose petal garam masala (great with beef, lamb, vegetables or even dessert); jasmine garam masala (great with vegetables, rice, poultry or seafood); and marigold petal garam masala (great with seafood, vegetables, fruit or lentils).  I decided to try the marigold petal garam masala which has a wonderfully vibrant yellow colour and a wonderful scent reminiscent of saffron.  Rather than add it to a stew or a curry, I opted to toss some cubed pumpkin in oil and spice and roast it in order to use in a warm salad.  While it was roasting, even my husband wandered into the kitchen, distracted from the Commonwealth Games on TV by the delicious spicy aroma. To balance the sweetness of the pumpkin (grown on the allotment last year, incidentally!) I also added some strips of fried halloumi cheese and a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds.  The verdict? The perfect antidote to those who do not find salads substantial enough for a meal – spicy, crunchy, salty and delicious all in one bowl!  Definitely cause for celebration, whatever the weather.

Masala Monsoon products are available direct via the website or from these stockists.

If you are a fan of halloumi, check out these halloumi recipes by other bloggers:

 

  • Margot’s grilled tomatoes and peppers with halloumi cheese
  • Helen’s fried halloumi salad with baked pomegranate grapes
  • Elizabeth’s seaweed farfalle & pesto with chilli halloumi
  • Michelle’s mixed vegetable, chickpea & halloumi salad

 

 

MasalaroastedPumpkinsaladFinal © J Horak-Druiff 2014

 

DISCLOSURE:  I received the Masala Monsoon products as free samples at a recent workshop but was not required to write about them.  I received no further remuneration to write this post and all opinions expressed are my own. 

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Masala-roasted pumpkin salad with halloumi and rocket
 
Print
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
45 mins
Total time
1 hour
 
This masala-roasted pumpkin salad combines gently spiced pumpkin with salty halloumi, crunchy seeds and tangy rocket to provide the perfect mix of flavours.
Author: Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Recipe type: Vegetarian
Serves: 2 (main) or 4 (starter)
Ingredients
  • about 2 cups of raw pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cubed
  • olive oil (plus a little extra for frying the cheese)
  • 1 tsp Masala Monsoon marigold petal garam masala
  • 1 generous pinch of salt
  • 1 generous handful of sunflower seeds
  • about 150g halloumi cheese, sliced into 0.5cm slices
  • 1 bag of wild rocket (about 2 cups of leaves)
  • Olive oil and vinegar to serve
Instructions
  1. Line a baking tray with foil or baking parchment and pre-heat the oven to 185C. Toss the pumpkin pieces in enough oil to coat, sprinkle with the masala and salt and roast for about 30 minutes or until soft (try to turn then once about halfway through cooking).
  2. In the meantime, in a small non-stick pan, dry fry the sunflower seeds over medium heat.  Toss occasionally and keep an eye on them as they burn very easily.  When they start to brown, remove from the heat.
  3. In a non-stick frying pan, heat about 1 tsp of the olive oil and add the halloumi slices in a single layer (work in batches if you have to). Cover them with a splatter screen as they tend to spit a little! Turn when they are golden brown and fry until the other side is also turning golden.  Drain on some paper towels.
  4. Divide the rocket among 2 or 4 plates (depending if this is a starter or a main course),  top with pumpkin cubes and cheese slices. Dress with olive oil and vinegar, then sprinkle with the sunflower seeds and a little extra garam masala.  Serve immediately.
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  1. Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

    August 1, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    I am a huge fan of halloumi and I like the idea of combining with spices very much.

    I’m enjoying the warm weather we’re having, especially the consistency. But if only it wasn’t so damn humid with it. Plus my desk is in a room with no loft cavity that faces south. Excuse me whilst I just dip into the cellar with an ice cold can of coke clasped against my neck!!!

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Halloumi makes everything better… 🙂 And I agree – although we have hot daysm it is unusual to have such a long spell of warm weather, It’s like the Summer of 2003 all over again! Our house is so hot on the first floor where the bedrooms are – seems it is only designed to retain heat, not to lose it, ever!

      Reply
  2. Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla says

    August 1, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    Not only yummy but beautiful salad Jeanne! Thanks for linking to my recipe 😉

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks Margot 🙂 Give it a try – you will love it!

      Reply
  3. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    August 1, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    What a great way to use halloumi. We love halloumi and we are having it for dinner tonight too 🙂

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Halloumi is one of my fridge standbys, together with chorizo. Can be added to almost anything and will improve almost any dish 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes says

    August 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    I’ve still never tried halloumi, no idea why as I am a cheese fiend!

    The marigold garam masala sounds like it would be lovely with the pumpkin.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Oh you really should give halloumi a try – it’s one of my favourites… And the garam masala really is something special with its gentle floral flavours.

      Reply
  5. karin@yumandmore says

    August 2, 2014 at 10:35 am

    Loely, simple and looks delicious! Must order those masalas finally!

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Oh yes Karin you should! I am already plotting how to use the other two flavours!

      Reply
  6. Rosa says

    August 3, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    This salad is fantastic! Great flavors, textures and colors.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks Rosa – that’s so true! It’s a great combination of contrasting textures and flavours 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jamie Claire / The Sparkle Kitchen says

    August 3, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    This salad looks amazing – I love every detail about it! Cannot wait to give it a try – such a divine combination.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      Oh I do hope you get to give it a try Jamie – let me know how it turns out 🙂

      Reply
  8. Meeta says

    August 4, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I am loving this salad — summer, colors, flavors it’s all in there. Halloumi is great but I am wondering how this would taste with paneer. I have become a big fan of Sumayaa’s masala mixes and I have tried it in many mixes already. Great stuff.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:44 pm

      Aren’t her mixes fantastic? And all so subtly different… You would love this salad and I am sure it would work fantastically with the paneer – you could even add some of the garam masala when you cook the paneer 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jonker - Firefly says

    August 4, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Now that looks scrumptious. Will fit in nicely with my diet as well.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 5, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      It’s a pretty manly, substantial salad 😉 But still diet friendly!

      Reply
  10. Katie says

    August 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Frozen water…. those words remind me of a time I tried to buy ice cubes (for our G & T) in Norway. We were in the middle of nowhere, at a campground, and when they finally understood what I wanted they were laughing so hard I just left. They thought it was hilarious that I would pay money for frozen water.
    On the food side – I saw halloumi for the first time last week – timing is everything.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 15, 2014 at 12:00 am

      Hahaha – love the Norway story! I suppose when things are frozen for such a large chunk of the year, paying money for ice is hilarious… And hurrah that halloumi has reached your neck of the woods!

      Reply
  11. Urvashi says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    I love halloumi or squeaky cheese as you call it and I have been meaning to stop by and leave a comment on this after seeing your instagram. Looks utterly delicious and I love Summayya’s blends too.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 15, 2014 at 12:00 am

      Ah yes – squeaky cheese 🙂 And aren’t Sumayya’s blends fab? I can’t wait to try the others!

      Reply
  12. Emily @amummytoo says

    August 7, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    That looks beautiful. I love halloumi and could pretty much eat it grilled on its own so to team it so simply and deliciously with the pumpkin, rocket and spice sounds just wonderful.

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 15, 2014 at 12:02 am

      Thank you! I have to say, if nobody were looking I could happily demolish a block of halloumi all on my own ;o)

      Reply
  13. Desy says

    August 25, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Mmh, this sound relishes. I am intrigued 🙂

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

      August 28, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Thank you – do give the recipe a try!

      Reply
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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

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© 2004 - 2021 · Jeanne Horak unless otherwise stated - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may not reproduce any text, excerpts or images without my prior permission. Site by RTW Labs

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