A fall favorite, this Almond Apple Spinach Salad with Sumac Dressing is one of the easiest, mediterranean diet inspired salad recipes.
Disclosure – this post contains an amazon affiliate link to the sumac spice mentioned in this post. That means if you choose to click the link and purchase the sumac, I earn a small percentage of that purchase.
Fall Apples
Even though it’s technically not fall yet, I’m ready for one of my favorite fall flavors. Apples.
Luckily we can get apples year round where I live in California, bu you just can’t a fall apple. Crisp, juicy and full of flavor. My favorite type is honey crisp, but I enjoy almost all types of apples.
Fall Inspired Apple Spinach Salad
Once the weather starts to get a little bit chilly, and by chilly I mean below 70 degrees, I crave heartier salads.
This Almond Apple Spinach Salad is one of my favorites in September and October. It’s filling enough with the fall apples and hearty almonds but the spinach keeps it light.
If you are looking to use up any leftover leafy greens, check out 5 Ways to Enjoy Spinach.
What is Sumac
My favorite part has to be the Sumac Dressing. It’s easy to make but gives such a great burst of flavor to this otherwise simple salad. Sumac is a dark red spice that is made from crushed sumac flowers. It’s popular in middle eastern and mediterranean dishes. The flavor is a little tart but still light enough to add to many dishes. Many specialty grocery stores have started carrying it, but I get my favorite online from Z&Z.
Mediterranean Diet Inspired Salad
This Almond Apple Spinach Salad meets my criteria for a mediterranean diet inspired dish because –
- it’s plant based with the main ingredients being spinach and apples
- almonds offer a heart healthy source of fat
- the dressing is olive oil based and uses spices like sumac for flavor
As with the majority of my recipes, you can completely customize it to your liking. Consider making the following changes if desired –
- swap spinach for kale or your favorite dark leafy greens
- replace the almonds with walnuts or pistachios
- add sunflower seeds for extra crunch
- apples can be exchanged for whatever fruit is in season (berries, peaches, stone fruit)
- make it your own by adding feta, goat cheese, grilled chicken, shrimp or even salmon to make a complete meal out of it
Almond Apple Spinach Salad Recipe with Sumac Dressing
Almond Apple Spinach Salad with Sumac Dressing
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups spinach leaves
- 2 medium apples cored and sliced
- 1/4 cup almonds rough chop
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1-2 tbsp sumac start with one and add more depending on taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, dijon mustard, sumac, and lemon juice. Taste and season as needed with salt and pepper. Set aside
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced apples, and chopped onions. Dress with sumac dressing and toss to combine
Notes
