Carnival squash is a favorite in Fall and Winter displays with its showy stripes of green and gold, but it can be just as much of a stunner in the kitchen.
With a sweet, mellow taste reminiscent of a butternut squash, carnival squash works well in a variety of recipes, from soups and stews to casseroles and cakes.
Choose deeply-colored squash with a firm exterior, and store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to cook with it. If the skin is tender, you have an inferior specimen --the skin is what makes the carnival squash a long-lasting vegetable.
Carnival squash can be baked, roasted, pureed or steamed. Substitute it for your favorite butternut squash recipes, or choose from one of the hand-selected gourmet recipes below.
Carnival Squash Recipes
Baked carnival squash with bacon and rosemary
This recipe may be simple, but it’s huge on flavor. Smoky, salty bacon and fresh herbs are the perfect foil for buttery sweet carnival squash.
Everyone needs a basic squash soup recipe, but this one is an easy step up from basic. The addition of fresh buttermilk gives it a distinct taste.Carnival squash bisque recipe
For a richer soup, try this bisque recipe with real butter and cream --makes a lovely starter for an autumn or winter dinner party.
Carnival squash roasted garlic ravioli recipe
Roasted carnival squash puree makes a light and creamy filling for ravioli, with garlic and thyme adding just the right amount of savory flavor.
Carnival squash risotto recipe
This yummy risotto starts with roasted squash, which makes it perfect for using up leftovers, but it’s well worth roasting one just for this dish.
Stuffed carnival squash recipe (vegetarian)
Buttery baked apples provide the filling for this stuffed squash recipe. Use fresh thyme if you have it, but dried works just fine in a pinch.
Chicken-stuffed carnival squash recipe
A simple switch of leftover turkey for the dark meat chicken could turn this recipe into a great way to use up Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, or stick with the chicken for a savory winter supper any time.
Carnival squash stuffed with quinoa and gruyere
Quinoa makes this squash dish healthy, and the touch of gruyere makes sure it’s not too healthy --a nice balance between nutritional soundness and gourmet palatability.
More ways with more squash:
