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The Ultimate Fall Produce Guide [50 Fall Favorite Recipes]

Welcome fall with the Ultimate Fall Produce Guide – it will tell you everything you need to know about what is in season this time of year along with 50 fall recipes to try.

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Mornings are starting to feel a little bit more like fall lately, as they should since the official first day of fall – Fall Equinox was just a few days ago!

I love my cool, crisp morning walks with Bailey and Teddy (Meet Bailey) after I take the kids off to school, and I love seeing hot air balloons up in the sky during these fall mornings! We even had a couple hovering over our backyard the other day.

new mexico hot air balloons

What Crops are Harvested in the Fall

Though I admit that I do lean heavily towards summer produce. Who doesn’t want berries and big, juicy peaches by the pounds or plants overflowing with large, ripe tomatoes?

Throughout the year I always end up enjoying the current season’s offerings until the very end. Then, I look forward to what the next season has to offer.  Once fall hits, I am ready for all things apple and pumpkin.

As the weather begins to embrace the cooler temps, the produce section of the grocery store will too. Here are some of the fruits and vegetables you can expect to start seeing featured as we head into the fall harvest season!

recipe for homemade pear sauce

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What Fruit is in Season in Fall

When I think of the fruits that are in season in the fall, I think mostly of the fruits that go well with all those delicious fall spices.

  • apples
  • pears
  • pomegranates
  • figs
  • grapes
  • persimmons
  • cranberries

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What Vegetables are in Season in Fall

The vegetables that are in season in fall tend to be more cruciferous, root-like, and items with hard outer shells (like the winter squashes).

  • sweet potatoes
  • brussels sprouts
  • fennel
  • beets
  • broccoli
  • kale
  • cauliflower
  • potatoes
  • carrots
  • winter squash (butternut, delicata, acorn, etc.)
  • pumpkins
  • chard
  • mushrooms
  • spinach
winter squash and pumpkins on a white counter top

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Are Pumpkins and Squash Fruits or Vegetables?

To a botanist, pumpkins and winter squash are considered fruits. Why? Simply put, the seeds are inside.

More specifically, pumpkins and squash are not part of the actual plant. They’re the products of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants.

Vegetables, however, by definition are the portion of the plant that is edible – leaves, stems, roots, tubers, etc.

Saving Money on Groceries This Fall

Eating Well and Spending Less starts with knowing when to purchase prime produce. Seasonal fruits and vegetables offer the highest nutritional value and typically cost less. Try planning your weekly meals to align with the growing season.

basket of freshly picked apples in the grass

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Apples are cheap in the fall because the weather is just right to grow quality apples in abundance, and prices reflect that. Out-of-season produce is expensive and deficient in flavor.

In addition to your local grocery store, you can find delicious deals on fall’s beautiful produce at the farmer’s markets and U-Pick farms.

If you’ve got a green thumb, you might like to experiment with growing a fall garden, something often forgotten after the summer harvest has ended. A trip to your local nursery will help you discover which fruits and vegetables grow best in your area, as well as advice for planting times.

Fall Favorite Recipes

The cooler temperatures have me itching to get back into the kitchen. Heartier meals are becoming appealing again and we’re doing more baking and braising now that we don’t mind a little heat from the oven. Keep your eye on these delicious fall offerings.

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The Ultimate Fall Produce Guide - 50 Seasonal Recipes to Make this Fall

Come check out what's in season during Fall with this Fall Produce Guide, plus learn what to make with all that great seasonal produce!

Favorite Apple Recipes for Fall

I wait all year long for Honeycrisp apples to arrive in store - they are my absolute favorite! Apples are always a safe, easy favorite in our house. We love their sweet crunch. Here are 5 Favorite Apple Recipes.

To browse all of the apple recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Apples Category.

Favorite Pear Recipes for Fall

I can't get enough when it comes to sweet, juicy pears. More often than not, I'm happy to just eat them for a snack, but I have a few tasty pear recipes that I like to make, too. Here are 5 Favorite Pear Recipes.

Unripe pears should be left on the counter for a few days to ripen. However, note that Barlett Pears are the only variety that change color when they're ripe.

To browse all of the pear recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Pears Category.

Favorite Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

Pumpkin, oh pumpkin! Pumpkin is my favorite for baking with in the fall, but I also love it in savory dishes – like the below soup. Ever since the pumpkin shortage a few years back, I make sure to have my pantry stocked with canned pumpkin. I never know when the craving will strike. Here are 10 Favorite Pumpkin Recipes. Make sure you check out this post for 25 Pumpkin Recipes to Try This Fall and 8 Ways to Use Leftover Pumpkin.

To browse all of the pumpkin recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Pumpkin Category.

Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes for Fall

Sweet potatoes are awesome – for lack of a better word. They’re tasty, cook up great sweet or savory and are a powerhouse of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, C and E. I grew up eating mostly roasted sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar, or mashed sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, but I love them in savory recipes too (and these days we eat them mostly in savory recipes!). Here are 5 Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes.

To browse all of the Sweet Potato recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Sweet Potato Category.

Favorite Broccoli Recipes for Fall

I often think of Broccoli year round because it is one of our most frequent vegetables in rotation (the kids like Roasted Broccoli a lot. I like it because it is quick and easy). But, broccoli season actually falls between October and April, making it more of a fall and spring vegetable. Here are 5 Favorite Broccoli Recipes.

To browse all of the Broccoli recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Broccoli Category.

Favorite Brussels Sprouts Recipes for Fall

Like Broccoli, we often buy Brussels Sprouts year round because we often serve them as a simple vegetable side dish to go along with our evening meal. However, Brussels Sprouts are actually best when eaten during their season, which runs from September to mid- February.

Because they're known for bitterness, season and selection matters. Smaller Brussels sprouts have a milder, sweeter taste. The larger sprouts will have a more cabbage-like taste, so choose accordingly. You’ll want them to feel firm and tightly compacted. Quality, well chosen sprouts will naturally taste better.

To browse all of the Brussels Sprouts recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Brussels Sprouts Category.

Favorite Pomegranate Recipes for Fall

Pomegranates are so much fun. I don’t think I ever had one when I was a kid, but in college we used to splurge on them. My roommates and I would open them up and spoon out all of the arils, then we would eat them by the spoonful. Pomegranates arils are also great for tossing into salads or on top of a bowl of granola and yogurt. Tip: For super juicy pomegranates, look for those that are large in size and feel heavy. Avoid large bruises, but don't worry about slight discoloration of the skin (that doesn't reflect ripeness).

To browse all of the Brussels Sprouts recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Pomegranates Category.

Favorite Potato Recipes for Fall

Potatoes are so versatile! Because there are so many varieties and they can be used in countless ways, potatoes often earn a spot on our dinner plate during the fall and winter months.

Tips for selection: Potatoes should be firm. Skip any that have started to sprout, have dark or soft spots, holes, or appear to have a green hue to them. Store them in a cool, dry place, and discard any spoiled potatoes immediately - one spoiled potato can spoil a whole bag (plus, they smell incredibly unpleasant).

To browse all of the Potato recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Potatoes Category.

Favorite Kale Recipes for Fall

For the best tasting kale, you should buy kale during the autumn through spring months for peak nutrition and quality. The kale leaves should appear dark in color and should be small to medium in size. You also don’t want any brown or yellow leaves.

There are several varieties of kale; the most popular kale varieties include: curly, dinosaur, and red Russian. Kale stems are woody and practically inedible, so you'll typically want to make sure that you remove them when using kale in recipes. Tip: Learn How to Freeze Kale (4 Easy Ways!).

Here are 5 Favorite Kale Recipes. To browse all of the Kale recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Kale Category.

Favorite Squash Recipes for Fall

I love squash in the fall, and I'm so glad that there are several recipes our kids like to eat as well! Make sure you choose firm squash and anything that feels soft and squishy to the touch could be spoiled, or on its way there.

Squash lasts several weeks as long as it is stored in cool, dark places - this makes it an idea pantry vegetable to keep on hand during the cooler months! If meal prep is something you do ahead of time, squash will last a few days in the fridge just fine once it is peeled and cut.

Here are 5 Favorite Squash Recipes. To browse all of the Kale recipes, head over to the Ingredient Index and search the Butternut Squash, Delicata Squash, and Acorn Squash Categories.

More Seasonal Produce Guides:

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean there’s nothing growing! In this Winter Produce Guide, I’m sharing a list of winter fruits and vegetables as well as my favorite winter recipes.  

This Spring Produce Guide tells you everything you need to know about what is in season this during the spring, cooking with spring ingredients, and plenty of spring recipes to try.

There are so many seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the summer season. Here’s a full Summer Produce Guide, including a list of summer fruits and vegetables and 115 summer recipes.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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What are your favorite fall recipes?

Julie@Teaching Good Eaters

Thursday 3rd of November 2011

We discovered Honey Crisp Apples 2 years ago and I'm completely hooked! I just wish they had a longer season... oh well, perhaps the wait just makes them that much more alluring!

Tracy

Thursday 20th of October 2011

Lovely roundup!

Zesty Cook

Wednesday 19th of October 2011

I'm all about squash this fall! Acorn squash, pumpkin, butternut...they make the season delicious!

Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen

Wednesday 19th of October 2011

I know everyone goes crazy for pumpkin but I'm really looking forward to pomegranates. Right now I've been devouring apples like there's no tomorrow.

The Blind Bride

Wednesday 19th of October 2011

Everything looks so good! I just got my CSA delivery today. I hope to use some of your suggestions!