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Carnival Squash Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to carnival squash products
About carnival squash
Join the party and discover the world's most festive squash variety, the carnival squash. Visit Instacart for these colorful and delicious small squash varieties, delivered to your door in as little as 2 hours!
Carnival squash is a hybrid of the acorn and dumpling squash varieties. It is a small to medium squash, with a round shape and deep ridges on its thick skin. Cut into carnival squash, and you'll find firm, pale orange skin. Near the center, carnival squash has a large cavity filled with fibrous pulp and beige squash seeds. Carnival squash is in season in fall and winter.
Carnival squash are a healthy addition to any diet as they are rich in:
- Potassium to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Vitamin A for good vision, a healthy immunity, and healthy growth and development.
- Vitamin C for a healthy immune system.
- Calcium for healthy teeth and bones.
- Magnesium for a healthy heart and muscles.
- Folate for reproductive health.
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for better mental health and liver function.
You can eat carnival squash raw if sliced thinly or grated. When it's cooked, it becomes soft and tender. You can roast, steam, boil, or saute carnival squash. Fans love its nutty, buttery taste, which can add sweetness to a range of desserts and savory dishes. Use carnival squash in the following ways:
- Grated or sliced thinly and added to a leafy salad.
- Roasted whole or in pieces for a tasty side dish.
- Pureed for a soup or sauce.
- Diced and added to stews, curries, risotto, or pasta dishes.
- Hollowed out and filled with soup, dip, or other dishes.
Due to its attractive appearance and compact size, carnival squash is often used as a decoration. You might shop for carnival squash on Instacart when you're decorating your home for fall, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and other festive occasions.
How to tell if carnival squash is ripe
The skin of ripe carnival squash has a mottled appearance with orange, yellow, and green hues. As the squash passes its peak maturity, the green color starts to fade, and the orange and yellow become more prominent. Make sure you eat your carnival squash from Instacart while it still shows some green on the skin. Your carnival squash should also feel firm to the touch and relatively heavy for its size. As it ages, your squash will lose moisture which will make it feel lighter.
How to store carnival squash
Store your carnival squash in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place until you're ready to use it, or up to one month. If you don't use your whole carnival squash at once, you can wrap the leftover pieces in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for around five days.
If you don't plan on eating your carnival squash in that time, you can freeze the leftovers. Peel and cut the leftover squash into chunks and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the sheet in the oven to freeze. Once the pieces are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container. You can thaw the frozen chunks before using them or add them directly to the oven or a stew or curry. Frozen squash chunks should last in the freezer for between four and six months.
Carnival Squash Near Me
Buy your favorite Carnival Squash online with Instacart. Order Carnival Squash from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about carnival squash
Growers use chemical pesticides to keep pests away from maturing carnival squash. They choose natural pest control methods when growing organic carnival squash. Many people prefer organic vegetables, including carnival squash, because they worry about the health impact of pesticide residue. Some also insist that organic carnival squash has a bolder, more flavorful taste. Organic carnival squash is usually more expensive, so you should consider which option suits your needs and budget better.
If you can't find carnival squash, you can substitute other small squash varieties such as acorn squash or butternut squash in your favorite recipes. These different kinds of squash have a similar taste to carnival squash and comparable health benefits.
Carnival squash seeds are edible and very nutritious. These tiny seeds may reduce your risk of cancer, boost your bone health, and help you lose weight. They're also tasty with a delicious nutty flavor.
Scoop them out of the squash and rinse them with water, taking care to remove any fibrous pulp. Pat the seeds dry and toss them with some olive oil and a little salt. Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Roast the seeds at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until they start popping. Let them cool before you start snacking or sprinkle the seeds over a salad.