To me it is very good. I believe people who like the exotic and different will like it and the traditionalists won't try it. Probably will appeal to Nomads since we generally like the exotic and can tolerate vinegar.  It is expensive to make it if  you have to buy every thing. I grew the oregano and the winter squash but good honey and white wine vinegar are expensive.It did have a nice firm and crunchy texture. One cousin says "it doesn't taste like butternut squash, it's not sweet". Mom likes it, two of the more adventuresome aunts and the offspring of the most adventuresome likes it. The challenge is fitting it into a meal. I think a leftover turkey wrap with it in it would be very good. The acidity is good at cutting through the fatty tones of meats. The two turkey breasts I cooked with Mom had her nervous. She thought they might be dry so I gave them the "Paula Deen" and basted them with a whole stick of unsalted butter. I also made the turkey meatloaf recipe that I've posted her(a double recipe was completly demolished). Most of the items brought to todays feast had avoids of course but the turnip greens were excellent as was the brocolli rice casserole and there was a nice cheese/almond ball made to look like a pinecone. Desserts were a wash though I was tempted to try the homemade chocolate chip cheesecake and discard the crust.

Did the heat of the pepper come through?

a bit, probably the right amount not to over power it.

I made parsnips with turmeric, pretty good.  Also a cooked cactus salsa dish-- cactus, red onion, garlic, jalapeno peppers cooked in butter and garnished with goat cheese.

interesting salad sahara - what is eating cactus like?