From root vegetables to gorgeous gourds, fall fruits and veggies are officially in season! Whether you’re making a soothing soup or a cozy casserole, farm-fresh ingredients make all the difference in taste, quality, and nutrition.
Shopping seasonally is also a great way to stay in touch with nature, however, there are plenty of physical benefits to cooking with in-season ingredients:
Peak produce, peak nutrition: When harvested at its peak, produce holds higher amounts of vitamins and nutrients. Eating fresh is the best way to nourish your body with ease.
Strengthened immunity: Nothing beats getting your supplements straight from the source, and eating seasonally is a fool-proof method for strengthening your immune system. Since produce loses some of its nutrients once picked, in-season fruits and veggies are the highest in essential vitamins and minerals.
Pass on pesticides: Harvesting during the proper time of the year ensures that fewer chemicals are needed to keep the bugs at bay. That said, organic produce offers the purest pesticide-free experience.
Eco-friendly and sustainable: Shopping farm-to-table is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Less travel equals less pollution and energy.
More delicious dishes: To put it simply, in-season goods just taste better! Peak ripeness and shorter travel distances result in the freshest produce possible.
Peak Fall Produce
A few of our fall favorites!
Fall produce is rooted in nostalgic flavors and cozy comfort. Make the most of this season with these sensational fruits and veggies:
Pumpkins
Pumpkins can be used for far more than carving. Between its naturally spiced flesh and roast-worthy seeds, this seasonal squash is diverse and delicious. Pumpkins are also incredibly rich in vitamin A, potassium, and phosphorus.
Gourds
From fall tablescapes to festive centerpieces, gourds are hard-shelled fruits that are available in several different shapes, sizes, and colors. Though gourds typically aren’t edible, they can be used as decoration, ornamentals, or even serving bowls.
Winter Squash
Thanks to the high levels of vitamins A and C, winter squash help to boost your immune system, fight infection, and regulate digestion. Make a soothing soup with butternut squash and heavy cream or cut back on the carbs with a healthy and stringy spaghetti squash.
Seedless Grapes
Sweet and succulent, seedless grapes are the perfect fall snack! Available in green, red, and black, these grapes are straight off the vine, maintaining high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and potassium.
Apples
As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away! These high-fiber fruits pair perfectly with everything from peanut butter to caramel, making them the perfect fall treat when you’re craving something sweet. You can also use them to make a spiced apple cider for a polyphenol-packed beverage. There are so many varieties of apples, but some of our favorites include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Green Dragon, and Gala.
Pears
Whether you’re sprucing up a fall salad or preparing a simple snack, pears are a powerhouse fruit filled with vitamins and fiber. The peel, which contains the majority of nutrients and vitamin C, is extremely soft and easy to eat, especially when compared to other fruits. Their subtle yet refreshing taste makes them a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
Persimmons
Persimmons are the quintessential fall fruit. Varieties like Fuya and Hachiya boast a beautiful, deep orange color, and when they are ripe, persimmons have a rich and tangy flavor with subtle notes of spice. They are a wonderful source of vitamins A and C and can also reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits for fall. Despite being difficult to peel, the tart and juicy seeds burst with flavor and are well worth the effort. Regular consumption of pomegranates can also help to protect your kidneys, heart, and gut microbiome.
Satsuma Mandarins
Satsuma mandarins are refreshing, zesty, and packed full of immune-boosting vitamin C! These seedless oranges are also super easy to peel, making them a great snack to enjoy on the go this fall.
Fresh Cranberries
Whether you’re making a homemade cranberry sauce or a detoxifying juice, fresh cranberries contain extremely high levels of phenols and antioxidants. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, cranberries also help prevent UTIs, boost circulation, and maintain digestive health.
Brussels Sprout Stalks
Brussels sprouts are a delicious side dish, but the stalk is often slept on. For one, buying your Brussels on the stalk ensures that they’ll stay fresh longer and maintain more nutrition. When roasted properly, the stalk becomes tender and soft, allowing you to absorb even more fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants.
Dry-Farmed Tomatoes
Dry-farmed tomatoes are both seasonal and sustainably driven. Since they are grown with very little water, these tomatoes tend to be on the smaller side. However, the intense flavors pack a bold punch, while the firm skin offers texture and density. From salads to soups, dry-farmed tomatoes can enhance a variety of fall dishes while providing more concentrated nutrients, calcium, and potassium.
Kiwi Berries
These juicy, bite-sized berries are easy to enjoy and 100% mess-free! Rich in antioxidants, kiwi berries look exactly like mini kiwis (minus the fuzzy skin) and are a great source of vitamins A and E, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
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