Marilyns Treats

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Carnival Squash with Apples and Thyme

Recipe Archive· Veggies

Carnival squash is a sweet squash, so it is best mixed with sour or salty additions to bring out all the natural flavors.

Carnival Squash with Apples and Thyme

This Carnival or Celebration squash was the main part of dinner last night.

The corn and watermelon added even more hand sown goodies that were lovingly nurtured all summer.

Carnival squash is a sweet squash, so it is best mixed with sour or salty additions to bring out all the natural flavors.

Now you all know what a carb and sugar loving gal I am, but this squash just seemed to hit the right chord with me.

This recipe would also go well with acorn and butternut squash also, but I hope you are able to find this at a farmers market or local store.

Mind you, this squash got as big as a seedless watermelon so one will go a long way. Don’t you just want to give it a try?

These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:

  • 2 carnival or acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 Small apples 2 large, tart
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:

  • Heat the oven to 375°. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place on a cookie sheet and brush with a little of the butter and season with a little salt. Place a thyme sprig in each half and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the apples, the remaining melted butter, the sugar and the cinnamon. Remove the squash from the oven.
  • Fill each squash with the apple mixture. Put them back in the oven for 15-20 minutes more, or until the squash and the apples are soft and caramelized.

NOTES

  • This squash makes a lot of juices so be careful to adapt for that.
  • Watch cook times as mine was larger sized and took a bit longer to cook. I stuck a fork in it to make sure it was done enough. I gauged that by the way I like my acorn squash.
  • Don’t forget to save the seeds for planting next year.
  • Fun Facts About Carnival Squash
    The carnival squash is actually a hybrid of the sweet dumpling and acorn squash. It usually has a cream-colored background covered with stripes and speckles of green and orange. Warm temperatures tend to yield greener squash. After the squash is picked, the green on the surface will eventually fade with time to leave only cream and orange colors.
  • What Carnival Squash Tastes Like
    After simply roasting a halved carnival squash seasoned with a little butter and brown sugar, I dug in. It was nutty and sweeter than butternut squash but not as dry in texture as kabocha squash. And my favorite thing about it was that it had a buttery, almost maple syrup-like flavor to it.
  • Buying and Storing Carnival Squash
    Carnival squash are about the size of an acorn squash, and like most winter squash, are best from early fall through winter. Choose carnival squash that are heavy for their size and free of blemishes or soft spots. They can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a month.
  • Cooking Carnival Squash
    Carnival squash is at its best when roasted to concentrate and bring out its flavors, but it can also be steamed or pureed. The seeds can be roasted and eaten just like with other winter squashes. I like its small compact size, which makes it easy to cut through and is great for serving one or two people.

These inexpensive and cute squashes are great to throw into stews, curries, soups, or even veggie chilis — use them in any recipe calling for butternut or acorn squash.

I love the fact that they are so beautiful and unique-looking on my counter and that they have such a long shelf life I don’t have to be in a rush to eat them!

Carnival squash is a sweet squash, so it is best mixed with sour or salty additions to bring out all the natural flavors.

Carnival Squash with Apples and Thyme

Carnival squash is a sweet squash, so it is best mixed with sour or salty additions to bring out all the natural flavors.
4.39 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, fall, squash
Method: Bake
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Adjust Servings: 10
Calories: 122kcal
Author: Marilyn

Ingredients

  • 2 carnival or acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 Small apples 2 large, tart
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 375°. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place on a cookie sheet and brush with a little of the butter and season with a little salt. Place a thyme sprig in each half and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the apples, the remaining melted butter, the sugar and the cinnamon. Remove the squash from the oven.
  • Fill each squash with the apple mixture. Put them back in the oven for 15-20 minutes more, or until the squash and the apples are soft and caramelized.

Notes

  • This squash makes a lot of juices so be careful to adapt for that.
  • Watch cook times as mine was larger sized and took a bit longer to cook. I stuck a fork in it to make sure it was done enough. I gauged that by the way I like my acorn squash.
  • Don’t forget to save the seeds for planting next year.
©MARILYN’S TREATS. All images are copyright protected.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 122kcal (6%) | Carbohydrates: 25g (8%) | Protein: 1.7g (3%) | Fat: 2.7g (4%) | Saturated Fat: 0.8g (4%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 50mg (2%) | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 3g (12%) | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg
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Comments

  2. blankMother of 3 says

    This sounds delicious! I have never heard of carnival squash before but I will definitely be keeping my eye out for it. I have yet to try a squash I don’t like. Pinned.

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      We have been friends too long Helen. You are remembering too many of my posts! LOL. But you need to try this. It really is a meal for the entire family. That was a cookoe sheet I made this on. Have a lovely week!

      Reply

  10. blankPamela Buckshon says

    Fantastic! I received a Carnival squash as part of my CSA box program a few weeks ago and had no idea what it was. After Thanksgiving and Halloween, where it was on display for its sheer beauty, I started investigating to find out what type of squash it was and how to cook it. Coincidentally, I had two bags of apples which I had picked up cheap from the Abbotsford Farm Market to make applesauce.
    Well I didn’t use the butter or sugar, completely forgot to add thyme, but it turned out wonderful.. like a pumpkin pie without the work or the calories ?
    Thank you for your imaginative recipe and beautifully written article, it was definitely inspiring and now I’m hooked!

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I am so excited by your story! This squash is not very common in the states and I hesitated posting this. I thought the information was interesting so I went ahead anyway. Your recipe changes sounds delicious. I will try them when I have the chance to get a carnival squash again! Enjoy and have a great week!

      Reply

  11. blankLeanna` says

    I have never heard of carnivale squash before and squash is one of my favorite veggies year around. I love the stuff. Thanks for another variation to try.

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      My son got the seeds from a friend and we planted them. We got two of these squash. But they got as big a seedless watermelon! Acorn squash would be good also. I would use a trat apple though. Have a great week.

      Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      It is so good Clearissa! I hope you can find this squash in your area. We got the seeds from a friend. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it! Have a great day.

      Reply

  18. blankNikki says

    I’ve never even heard of a carnival squash. The flavors sound delightful, especially mixed with the apples and thyme. I’m definitely going to have to look for the squash in my grocery store. Yum.

    Reply

  19. blankMiz Helen says

    Hi Marilyn,
    I just love the apple-thyme combination for your Carnival Squash, this is a great recipe. Hope you are having a fantastic day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      You bet! I have been going to bed early so I miss some and don’t remember to go back the next day. I need to adjust my schedule in my directory. I never miss on purpose! Thx Lisa.

      Reply

  25. blankCarla a.k.a Mrs. R says

    We eat a lot of acorn and butternut squash during the fall and winter. I;ve never heard of carnival squash but I believe I’ve seen them. Next time I’m going to pick a few up and give this recipe a go! xo

    Reply

  27. blankMary-the boondocks blog says

    Marilyn I had a few butternut squash and I turned them into ghosts for Halloween. Had I known you would provide us with this great recipe I would not have painted them white. Haha. Ok I’m off to the supermarket to get some more squash. I really want to try this. Definitely pinning.

    Reply

  28. blankJess says

    This sounds SO amazing! YUM!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks:

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      It was good. My son got the seeds from a missionary at his church and planted them in the community garden. Acorn squash will work too. This was huge though. You can see it filled my cookie sheet! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply

  36. blankStacey Keeling says

    Marilyn, this looks delicious! We love acorn squash here at our house and it’s so easy to make. I think some people are intimidated because of the way it looks but there’s not much to it once you cut it. Apples are perfect in it.

    Thank you so much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday this week. 🙂

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      I love the acorn squash. Baked ith butter and brown sugar is as easy as it gets! I have to have my husband cut it due to my arthritis, but it is wonderful.

      Reply

  37. blankSherry Legan says

    Oh this does look so yummy and Fall! The Fabulous Fall Party is finishing up this week over at my blog. I’d love you to link this.
    Just in case you don’t know the party continues on the 1st with Fabulous Thanksgiving for all Thanksgiving/Fallish posts.
    Here’s this weeks Fabulous Fall linky
    Happy Fall Happy Thanksgiving

    Reply

    • blankMarilyn says

      This squash is like a smaller pumpkin. You can see it halved on a cookie sheet. I think this recipe using a butternut squadh would also taste great. When you come up with your version be sur to let me know! I would love to try it. My son was lucky to get some seeds from a friend as I haven’t seen this in our market yet.

      Reply

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