Roasted Carnival Squash Recipe

I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the carnival squash recipe.

In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparation of carnival squash. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.

What is Carnival Squash?

Carnival squash is a little, colourful winter squash with a sweet, crunchy, and smooth flavour and creamy texture. It has a unique appearance, with a mix of yellow, orange, and green skin, and is shaped like an acorn squash.
When cooked, carnival squash’s inside is tender and soft, making it ideal for stuffing, roasting, or pureeing.

It contains nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Carnival squash is a seasonal vegetable generally available in early fall and winter, making it great for autumn dishes like casseroles, soups, or roasted sides.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Naturally Sweet & Nutty Flavor: The crunchy and nutty flavour of the carnival squash is a nice alternative to other winter squashes such as acorn or butternut. While roasting, it offers a caramelized taste, making it for both sweet and savoury dishes.

• Beautiful Presentation: The bright yellow, orange, and green carnival squash provide a nice touch to your table. It’s great for potlucks, holiday dinners or an impressive side dish.

• Easy to Prepare: It is an easy-to-prepare recipe. Whether you stuff, roast or puree it, the instructions are simple and don’t contain any complicated method.

• Versatile in Recipes: It is a versatile recipe. You can stuff it with grains and proteins, serve as a side dish or blend it into a smooth puree. Its mild flavour goes well with sweet and savoury ingredients.

• Packed with Nutrients: The carnival squash is packed with nutrients like fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.

Tips

• Choose the Right Squash: Choose a firm squash with orange, yellow or green colour and no soft spots. A fresh squash will have a better texture and flavour.

• Roasting: Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, and brush inside with olive oil. Sprinkle with your favourite herbs, salt and pepper. Roast it in the oven for around for around 30-40 minutes at 400 F (200 C) until turns caramelized and soft.

• Stuffing: Once roasted, fill the squash halves with a mixture of nuts, rice, cooked vegetables and cheese. Bake until warm for around 10-15 minutes.

• Soup: Peel and chop the squash, then cook it with garlic and onions. Add vegetable broth and spices such as nutmeg and ginger, then simmer until soft. Blend until smooth forming a creamy soup.

• No need to Peel: You can leave the skin for roasting or baking. It provides nutrients and texture and becomes tender once cooked.

Variations

• Carnival Squash Risotto: You can mix creamy risotto with roasted carnival squash for a flavorful dish. The squash provides a creamy and sweet taste to the rice, making it rich and filling.

• Carnival Squash Tacos: You can roast the squash with spices such as chilli powder and cumin, then serve in soft tortillas with cilantro, avocado and salsa.

• Carnival Squash Mac and Cheese: You can blend the roasted squash and mix it into a cheese sauce and cheesy mac for a light, sweet variation of this meal.

• Carnival Squash Gratin: Layer the sliced carnival squash with cheese, cream and garlic, then bake until bubbly and golden. You can consider this as a side dish or main course.

• Carnival Squash Chili: You can add cubed squash to chilli for a little hearty flavour. The squash soaks the spices and provides a nice texture to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

• Roast Chicken or Turkey: You can try turkey or roasted chicken with carnival squash. You can serve the whole roasted chicken with roasted squash for a seasonal and warm meal.

• Grilled Steak or Beef: The savoury flavour of beef works well with the sweetness of carnival squash, especially when you season it with thyme or rosemary.

• Quinoa or Farro: You can try whole grains such as farro or quinoa which goes well with the carnival squash. You can make a grain bowl with nuts, roasted squash, olive oil and tahini.

• Lamb: You can try lamb which goes well with the sweet and mild flavour of carnival squash. You can serve roasted squash with a rack of lamb for a festive dinner.

• Crisp Greens: You can try butter greens such as kale or arugula which balances the sweetness of the squash. You can toss the roasted squash cubes for a refreshing side dish.

Storing and Freezing

Storing

• For storing the whole squash, ensure to store it in a cool and dry place for up to 2-3 weeks.

• For storing the cut squash, put it in the refrigerator by wrapping it in plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

• Peel and cut the squash into slices or cubes.

• Blanch the squash by boiling it for around 2-3 minutes, then cool in ice water.

• Dry the squash completely.

• Lay the pieces in a layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.

• You can freeze the squash for up to 6-12 months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the carnival squash provides delicious and flexible ingredients that add flavour, warmth and colour to fall meals. Its nutty and sweet flavour makes it great for stuffing, roasting or comforting soups. Whether you prepare a stuffed squash, a simple side or a seasonal soup, it is sure to impress with its bright and rich flavour.

It is delicious and healthy, packed with nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin A. So, next time you want a seasonal, cozy meal, try the carnival squash. Grab your ingredients and enjoy the process.

Read More:- Purple Cauliflower Recipe