Have you ever wondered what produce you should be buying for optimal freshness in autumn?
If so, then this guide to the top produce for fall is for you! While many of these fruits and vegetables are available year-round at the grocery store, during the fall months they are noticeably more tasty, fresh, and nutritious in this season. So, make sure to add this produce to your grocery list this fall and you will be able to enjoy the freshest and most delicious fruits and vegetables this season has to offer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprout season begins in fall and goes through winter. This veggie is loaded with vitamin K which is vital for bone health and vitamin C which is an antioxidant that helps support the immune system. Try roasting them along with olive oil and spices, tossing them into a fall-inspired salad, or sautéing them with garlic and pine nuts for a delicious side dish everyone will love.
Carrots
The peak months for this fall veggie are September, October, and November. This orange vegetable is packed with fiber, potassium, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. Try adding into a hearty vegetable soup, bake into muffins or bread, or roasting and serving as a side dish.
Squash
What is fall without your favorite squash dishes? Butternut, spaghetti, buttercup, and hubbard all peak throughout the fall season. These delicious veggies are excellent sources of vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and have high levels of alpha-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Squash is the perfect addition to many autumn dishes including a hearty soup, roasted in the oven and served as a side dish, or baked into a casserole.
Sweet Potatoes
Another great fall vegetable to include on the menu is sweet potatoes. This veggie can be found year-round, but their peak season begins in September. This orange colored veggie is packed with vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A. A few sweet potato-inspired dishes to try this autumn are a traditional sweet potato casserole, mashed sweet potatoes, or a creamy sweet potato soup.
Apples
Apples are the perfect fall fruit to include on your grocery list with their peak harvest beginning late summer through late fall. There are more than 2,500 varieties of apples to choose from so you will never be bored of this delicious autumn fruit. Apples are high in vitamin C, fiber, and free radical fighting antioxidants to keep you healthy during the colder months. Along with tasty apple-inspired desserts like apple pie and apple tarts, this fruit can also be worked into savory dishes like apple chicken sausage or sausage and apple frittata.
Pomegranates
Pomegranate’s peak season begins in October and is a perfect fruit to include in your fall dishes. This fruit is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants. This colorful fruit is perfect in a spinach and pomegranate salad, a pomegranate skillet chicken, or baked into a tasty dessert.
Cranberries
When searching for this fruit, you will most likely find cranberries preserved in cans, dried, or juiced. Fresh cranberries are not a common grocery item sold year-round, they can only be found fresh in stores October through December when they are harvested in the fall. Cranberries are a good source of many vitamins and minerals including manganese, copper, and vitamin C, and E. This fruit can be used in both sweet and savory dishes such as cranberry almond apple pie, a classic cranberry sauce, or cranberry maple chicken.
Pears
Most varieties of pears are available from August through October. A few popular varieties that come from western states like California, Washington, and Oregon are Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou. Pears are not only high in fiber but provide essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. Pears are the perfect fruit for desserts like pear cobbler, or a spiced pear cake but can also work well in savory dishes such as a pear salad with cucumber or a gorgonzola and pear risotto.
