Last updated on January 12th, 2024
Roasted carnival squash is an easy and affordable addition to any fall or winter meal. Stuff it, top it, or use the nutty-sweet winter squash in your favorite soup or mash recipe. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for this roasted carnival squash recipe.
What’s the Difference Between Acorn Squash and Carnival Squash?
The carnival squash shell is white and striped or speckled with gold and green, although the green often fades with time. Meanwhile, the skin of an acorn squash is usually dark green and develops a splotch of gold.
In the kitchen, however, there’s not much of a difference. Carnival squash, heart of gold squash, festival squash and celebration squash are crosses of acorn and sweet dumpling squashes.
Can You Substitute Carnival Squash for Acorn Squash?
Absolutely. Carnival squash can be used in place of acorn squash, sweet dumpling squash, and often butternut squash in recipes.
Cooking Carnival Squash
Step 1: Set up your equipment
Preheat the oven to 420° F. Line a roasting sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Step 2: Prepare the squash.
Wash the squash with a cold water, removing any dirt with a vegetable brush. Dry with a kitchen towel.
On a sturdy cutting board, set the squash on its side and roll it a bit to find a position where it won’t rock. Slice off the top and tail of the squash, and then set the squash upright on the board. Slice down the center of the squash to cut it in half.
If you plan to stuff the squash, slice a thin segment from the back of each half so that they will sit without rocking when placed skin-side down.
Scrape out the seeds and stringy innards with a spoon.
Rub the squash halves with oil, inside and out. Add richness with olive oil, or use avocado oil for a neutral flavor.
Sprinkle the inside flesh of each squash half with a little salt and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Go easy on the seasoning here because you can always add more later.
Step 3: Bake the squash.
Place the squash halves, cut side down on the prepared roasting pan.
Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
Flip the squash over; if you’re making stuffed squash, this is the best time to add the stuffing. Continue cooking about 20 minutes more, until the flesh is tender and the edges turn golden.
Roasted Carnival Squash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 carnival squash
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 420° F. Line a roasting sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Slice off the top and tail of the squash, and then set the squash upright on the board. Slice down the center of the squash to cut it in half. If you plan to stuff the squash, slice a thin segment from the back of each half so that they will sit without rocking when placed skin-side down. Scrape out the seeds and stringy innards with a spoon.
- Rub the squash halves with oil, inside and out. Add richness with olive oil, or use avocado oil for a neutral flavor. Sprinkle the inside flesh of each squash half with a little salt and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Go easy on the seasoning here because you can always add more later.
- Place the squash halves, cut side down on the prepared roasting pan. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Flip the squash over; if you’re making stuffed squash, this is the best time to add the stuffing. Continue cooking about 20 minutes more, until the flesh is tender and the edges turn golden.