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?
- 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 with Apples and Thyme
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.
Nutrition
I am Marilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Follow me to my kitchen. 
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party!!
You are welcome Helen. Enjoy your week!
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.
Thank you Joanne. If you can’t find it any blander squash will work. This one is the size of a small pumpkin. Enjoy your week!
Marilyn you never cease to amaze me with all your recipes….I normally don’t care too much for squash but am willing to try anything once. Pinned for sure!
You will love this one Kari. It is sweet with the apples, so a mild squash is best if you can;t find the (carnival, Celebration) squash. Enjoy your week!
thanks Marilyn….I will definitely try it.
Yummy fall stuff! Thanks for sharing at Reader Tip Tuesday – love seeing you at the party every week. xo
Glad you like the recipe Jodie. Have a good day.
This looks so simple and I bet it tastes amazing! Thanks for sharing on Friday Frenzy!
Thank you Colleen. I hope you get to make it. Have a lovely week!
This sounds very tasty! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
We just loved this squash. It made the whole main course. Enjoy your week!
This looks rather good, Marilyn, will have to give it a try #,inspiration [email protected]_karendennis
Thank you Karent for the nice review. Have a lovely week.
These sound tasty Marilyn. I’ve never tried anything like these before. Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays 🙂 Hope you can join us today.
Thank you Claire. I wouldn’t miss Monday with you. Have a lovely evening!
The first time you posted this I had never heard of carnival squash – and yet I still have not tried it! I put it on my to do list for this week, “Find some carnival squash”! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
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!
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!
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!
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.
This squash is more of an entree than a side dish. It is so delicious! Thanks Leanna.
I’d never heard of carnival squash before. Love this recipe idea. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
I am glad to have inspired you Jelica! Enjoy and have a great week!
I love trying all types of squash! The flavours in this sound delicious!
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor
I love how just one squash fed our entire family. Have a great week Lianne.
I was just reading about growing these next year so I will have to know so I can try this recipe Marilyn
These arre so great. I didn’t know how big they get when we planted them. I hope you do plant them!
Sounds delish! We very rarely get these type of squash here but I better start looking!
Happy FF!
This is so yummy and healthy. It is one of my favorite ways to eat veggies!
I’ve never seen carnival squash in my area. I’ll have to try this with acorn squash! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
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.
This sounds great. Thyme and apple…Gonna have to try that.
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.
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.
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
That looks really yummy and full of Fall flavor. Thank you for linking up to Funtastic Friday!
Thank you so much! I am glad you liked it.
I’ve never tried carnival squash – it sounds really good though!
It really is Jess. I hope you can find it to try it! Enjoy a peaceful week.
Yay! You made it to the party this week! I’m so glad! #FridayFrivolity
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.
Loving this simple and delicious sounding recipe! The flavors of apple and squash just go together so well. 🙂
Thank you CJ. I really enjoyed it.
I love squash, which is crazy because 10 year-old me would say ewe! But the mature vegetable loving me cannot get enough of butternut squash or acorn squash all fall long. 🙂
I am the same way. I raised my kids as babies to love squash but never really ate it myself until I was 50. Too busy making cheesecake! ????
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
You will love it! They can get huge which makes a great bowl for your dinner. Let me know if you find them. This is another Jim creation. ????
This is perfect for fall, and I love the combo!Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Thank you Dee! It surprised me how much I liked it too. I need to broaden my choices and this is one example.
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.
Sorry so late to post. I am always on time and never ahead of the game. Let me know how it turns out! Glad you found it worthy!
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!
Thanks Jess!
I have never had carnival squash. I need to look for it. I have had acorn squash though.
Thanks for sharing it at Over The Moon Party,
Hugs,
Bev
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.
I’ve never heard of carnival squash before thanks for the introduction.
I hadn’t either. My son got the seeds from a friend and planted them. This one was huge and took up my entire cookie sheet! Have a good week.
Squash and apples are a great combination. Thanks for partying with us on #TastyTuesdays
I loved this combo. I am not a veggie eater unless they are raw or in salad dressing. This recipe started to change my mind! Thx Audrey.
Marilyn – this is such a great fall treat! Love the combo of squash and apples! Pinning and stumbling!
Thank you Ilka. It is one of my recipes for healthy, good and veggie eating! I need more.
I’ve never heard of carnival squash – I’ll have to check that out! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Just in case you are interested, I borrowed from a previous post about Winter Squashes and added it here. Hope the info helps someone!
MMM I love squash recipes. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week
You are welcome Charlene. I wouldn’t miss it.
How fun! Love this idea!!!
Thanks Angela. You use less dishes this way or sure!
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. 🙂
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.
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
I will have to stop by Sherry. Thanks for the invite!
Sounds delicious, Marilyn. Pinned and shared.
Thank you for the pin and comment!
I’ve never heard of carnival squash and we don’t have any type of small winter squashes in Australia. We have something similar to blue hubbard and butternut and that’s about it.
I would LOVE this!
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.