Fall Produce Guide - 17 Fruits and Vegetables to Enjoy This Fall Harvest Season
Summer may be the quintessential season to explore the local community farmers market, but most farmers markets run well through Halloween at the end of October. This year make it a point to swing by your community farmers market and pick up the freshest fall produce. Here is a go-to guide to what fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables are in season during the fall harvest. Plus, enjoy some fun facts about each like shopping tips, recipe ideas, and storage suggestions.
Fall Fruits
- Apples - Fall apples are the perfect on-the-go snack. Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop or two of nut or seed butter for the perfect afternoon snack. Looking for a touch of added sweetness for an after-dinner dessert? Slice up some apples and saute them in a pan of coconut oil with a dash or two of cinnamon. Add some Dark Decadent Chewy Chocolate for a rich layer of flavor. Apple picking is also a fun fall activity, so if you are looking for a way to immerse yourself in Mother Nature this fall, plan a trip to the local apple orchard with family and friends.
- Asian Pears - Swap out your basic bananas with something fresh for the fall season like Asian pears. Asian pears can be stored at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three months so you can enjoy them all fall long. You can even include them in a fall-inspired smoothie.
- Cranberries - When selecting fresh cranberries, choose cranberries that are firm to the touch. You may even consider purchasing a large bunch and freezing them for later so you can whip up a homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner and Friendsgiving gatherings come November. Mom will thank you for the holiday recipe contribution!
Fun It’s Nola Fact:
Our flavor-master and CEO created Luscious Cranberry Coconut during Thanksgiving, inspired by her family’s love for cranberries.
- Pomegranate - Pomegranate seeds are a juicy snack that can be enjoyed on their own or add them to a homemade harvest salad for a brilliant pop of color, just be careful as pomegranate juice stains.
Fall Herbs and Spices
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Garlic - Garlic adds a great flavor to most recipes including marinades, meats, salad dressings, sauces, soups, stews, vegetables, and vinaigrettes, but just be sure to use in moderation as too much can cause digestive upset.
- Ginger - Looking to flavor a dish with some classic fall flarer? Try some fresh ginger root. Known to ease any digestive discomfort or sour stomach, ginger is great to always have on hand. You can also enjoy a mug of fresh ginger tea paired with a more mindful snack perfect for a fall afternoon.
Fun It’s Nola Fact:
Ginger is a quintessential ingredient in Sassy Mango Masala, giving it that exotic flavor as it mixes with the masala spice. Some customers describe it as “the holiday snack.” Drink a warm cup of … and snack on Sassy Mango Masala for a special snacking experience,
Fall Vegetables
- Acorn Squash - When selecting an acorn squash, pick an acorn squash that is dull in color and heavy in weight. Be sure to avoid any acorn squash with cracks and/or soft spots, which may compromise the quality of the produce you pick.
- Broccoli - Broccoli can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or steamed and pairs great with dairy-free melted cheese. You can even try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, which will give your broccoli a deliciously addictive umami flavor.
- Brussel Sprouts - One of our favorite ways to make Brussel sprouts is to roast them. Simply wash and chop, toss in avocado oil with a sprinkle of Pink Himalayan Salt then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes or until Brussel sprouts are soft, tender, and golden brown in color. Looking for something sweet and savory? Roast Brussel sprouts with roasted sweet potatoes.
- Butternut Squash - Butternut squash can be substituted for any recipe that calls for pumpkin, so if you cannot find the perfect pumpkin this fall, look for butternut squash instead. Heavy butternut squash is best.
- Cauliflower - Cauliflower is traditionally white, but there are also orange and purple varieties. Cauliflower can be roasted and pureed into cauliflower mash. You can also rice it yourself to create homemade cauliflower rice, perfect for homemade burrito bowls and stir-fries.
- Mushrooms - Mushrooms make a great addition to salads, but we like to saute them in avocado oil and use them as a side dish for grilled beef, chicken, or pork. Prefer a plant-based meal instead? Add them to beans to create a handcrafted bean and veggie burger. Yum!
- Pumpkin - We absolutely love pumpkins because they can be used in a variety of recipes. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin chia seed pudding, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin oatmeal, should we go on? When carving up pumpkins for fall or Halloween, be sure to save the seeds for roasting with this easy 7 step recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds.
- Radicchio - When choosing fresh radicchio, look for leaves that are brightly colored in maroon or purple shades. Leaves should look fresh, tender, and young. Leaves that are dry, limp, torn, or yellow in color should be avoided. Add fresh fall radicchio to handcrafted sandwiches and homemade salads.
- Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes pair well with roasted Brussel sprouts for a sweet and savory side dish, but they also make for a great post-workout snack too. Just slice in half, place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft and tender then drizzle with your favorite nut or seed butter and enjoy. You can also add an additional crunch with your favorite flavor of granola.
- Swiss Chard - Swiss Chard should be stored unwashed, in a plastic bag, and placed in the refrigerator's crisper for 2-3 days. This fall veggie does not last long, so be sure you do not buy too much and let it go to waste and if you do, simply place it in the garden or kitchen compost pile.
- Turnips - Turnips can be enjoyed raw or cooked, but if you are looking for turnips with a sweeter taste, select small to medium-sized ones.
Tip: Access a complete list of all seasonal produce here.
When you think of self-care, you may not think of cooking a homemade meal, but taking the time to select quality ingredients and making a more mindful meal is a wonderful way to show yourself some serious self-care. Plus, it is delicious! Go ahead and take a bite out of fall and enjoy the delicious bounty the fall harvest has to offer with these 17 fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables. Happy Fall Y’all!
Bonus Recipe: My home smells like fresh baking veggies! What a morning! I woke up early and decided to roast some fall veggies for the coming week. I will most likely freeze some of it. And I will bring some to work for colleagues and friends. The colors of fall in this dish certainly brighten my spirit on this very grey morning. Looks like it will rain here in New York. I hope your day is full of sunshine, literally and metaphorically👍🏽 So, here’s the recipe:
- Stay Healthy and Happy
Need more fall-inspired recipe ideas using fresh fall produce? Check out @MBVeganShare or join our CEO live @itsnolasnack every other Sunday when she shares some delicious and nutritious vegan recipes. Don’t worry, even if you aren’t vegan, you will still enjoy these dishes.
Tag us @itsnolasnack so we can see your very own fall harvest!
