Fall seasonal produce guide is here!
As a child I fancied myself a bit like Bugs Bunny. I remember pulling carrots from my grandparents’ backyard garden, rinsing them briefly at the outdoor spigot, and immediately crunching into those sweet, earthy roots while their greens went to the compost. Those memories inspired me to eat more seasonally over the past few years.
Eating with the seasons used to feel simpler: produce wasn’t shipped from across the country or flown in from faraway places, people shopped locally more often, and small farms and backyard gardens provided different fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
Now that fall has arrived, a fresh variety of produce appears in markets: winter squashes in many shapes and sizes, apples in every shade of red and green, and cauliflower, which is great for ricing, are among my favorites. Scroll down for some autumn-inspired recipes.
Click for the free Fall Seasonal Produce Guide (PDF):
If you don’t have space to grow your own or there isn’t a farmers’ market nearby, try adding more seasonal fruits and vegetables to your weekly shopping. Why bother?
Seasonal produce is often fresher and, if purchased locally, hasn’t traveled long distances. Choosing seasonal items also forces variety into your diet so you don’t rely on the same few vegetables every week. That variety helps avoid mealtime boredom and introduces a wider range of micronutrients into your meals.
I’m not suggesting you can only eat produce when it’s in season, but consider trying at least one new fall fruit or vegetable this season—you might discover something unexpectedly delicious. Keep in mind that exact availability depends on your country and even your region.
Here are some favorite fall recipes to try:
- Apple Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake
- Blackberry Cinnamon Applesauce
- Cabbage with Apple and Onion
- Celery Root Mash
- Cumin Coconut Chard
- Caramelized Onion Cauliflower “Cous Cous”
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Stuffed Delicata Squash