Favorite Fall Orzo Salad

• 2 pounds butternut squash, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1/4 pound orzo
• 2 ounces Maytag blue cheese
• 1/4 cup oil (scant)
• 1 bunch fresh sage leaves
• Fresh cracked pepper and coarse kosher, sea, or alder salt
• 1 bunch watercress, arugula, or any microgreen
• 1 ounce roasted pepitas

1. If you didn't purchase the precut butternut squash, then peel and cube the squash. If you did purchase the precut squash, give it a good rinse and pat dry.
2. Drizzle the butternut squash with a good quality oil. Salt and pepper to taste. If you have some smoked salt (like alder), you can substitute a pinch of it for regular kosher salt.
3. Arrange clusters of sage on top of squash. Reserve 2 to 3 sage leaves. If you don't have fresh sage, you can substitute some dried "rubbed sage" -- sprinkle liberally like salt.
4. Bake at 450 F for 30 to 40 minutes (depending on your cube size) or until golden caramelization and deliciousness occurs.
5. Cook orzo according to package directions. At my farmer's market there is a vendor that sells an "autumn blend" of tricolor orzo. Boil in approximately 4 cups salted water for 15-17 minutes (normal orzo will probably take much less time -- check your package to be sure). Drain and chill.
6. Combine cooked butternut squash, pepitas, and orzo and toss. (The leftover oil in the roasting pan will serve as your "dressing" -- use leftover oil in pan to minimally coat orzo). Personally I don't think you need any acid (like lemon or vinegar) because of the "tang" of the blue cheese -- but if you are omitting the cheese, you may want to try a few splashes of a good balsamic vinegar.
7. Add crumbled blue cheese (or feta or chevre or omit cheese) and choice of greens. Add a few chiffonaded strips of fresh sage as a garnish.

butternut squash, orzo, cheese, oil, sage, pepper, arugula, pepitas

Taken from food52.com/recipes/19062-favorite-fall-orzo-salad (may not work)