Farm-Fresh Fall: Fall’s Best In-Season Produce
Fall is approaching and with it comes new fresh selections in your local produce section. Fruits and vegetables that are in-season are always the ones most packed with vitamins, minerals, and general good stuff to keep you fit and healthy. Plus, they just taste good. If you want to give yourself the best stuff in life and help your body feel as good as it can, load up on in-season foods while they’re fresh. Here’s our list of the best fruits and veggies that will be in-season this fall.
Apples: Come on, it’s fall, we have to talk about apples! Fall is the best time of year for apple picking, apple cider, and apple pie. Apples are some of the most versatile fruit; they can be eaten raw, made into a dessert, or even put in savory salads or sandwiches, and that mostly is due to their wide range of flavors. Depending on the variety, apples can be sour, sweet, or floral. With all of the options available during fall, from golden delicious to honeycrisp, you’re bound to find an apple you love.
Pumpkin: Our second obligatory mention of the season; we can’t talk about fall produce without talking about pumpkin. While pumpkin generally brings up images of pumpkin pie and jack-o-lanterns, you can do a lot of amazing things with pumpkin in your own kitchen. From curried pumpkin soup to pumpkin bread and roasted pumpkin seeds, you should definitely experience this fall beyond the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkins are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
Brussel Sprouts: Brussel sprouts are, admittedly, not the most widely-loved of green vegetables. They can be bitter but, trust us, if you prepare them the right way they are delicious! Brussel sprouts are rich in antioxidants and fiber but low in calories so they are a great dinner accompaniment. One of the best ways to make Brussel sprouts is to oven roast them in a balsamic sauce which makes them rich and sweet; just try it!
Leeks: Though leeks aren’t talked about very often, they are actually a bit of a superfood. Leeks have vitamins C, A, E, and K. On top of that, they contain calcium and magnesium which are both great for your health. Low in fat, calories, and sodium, leeks might not look special but they are a truly awesome fall vegetable. Leeks can be braised but they are best in creamy soups that are perfect for fall.
These fall produce items are just four of the many fruits and veggies native to the fall season. On top of these, we have figs, pears, butternut squash, grapes, sweet potatoes, artichokes… the list goes on and on. Fall produces so much goodness that it is the perfect season to explore in the kitchen. Challenge yourself to discover what you can make with fresh produce this season; the adventure will lead to healthier, tastier meals that will leave you feeling great.