Winter Squash
Winter Squash: Festival & Candy Roaster
We have the opportunity to enjoy one of the less common but most delightful winter squash varieties: festival or candy roaster.
The candy roaster squash is a rare heirloom variety. Early 20th century Appalachian Thanksgiving feasts included “candy roaster pie,” instead of pumpkin pie. Candy roaster squash is square-shouldered and blocky, with pinkish skin and bluish-green stars at the blossom end. It has delicious orange flesh that is highly recommended for baking. The cooked, pureed flesh also freezes very well.
The festival squash is a cross between acorn and sweet dumpling and has outstanding eating qualities. It looks something like a fat acorn, splashed with eye-catching colors. The flesh is yellow and sweet, with a fine, almost hazelnut flavor. Like the delicata, the rind of this squash can be eaten.
Sources: www.thedailytimes.com, www.cataloochee-ranch.com, appletoncreamery.com, and www.mg.umn.edu.