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SEASONAL PRODUCE GUIDE: 10 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO ENJOY THIS COMING FALL

There’s so much to love about the summer season, warmer weather, summertime sunshine, picnics in the park and fresh produce from the local community farmers market, but who says summer is the only season to enjoy the local farmers market? Summer may be the quinntessential season to explore the community farmers market, but most farmers markets run well through Halloween at the end of October. It’s called the fall harvest for a reason! Here is a fall produce guide to ten farmers market fruits and vegetables that are all in season during the fall months.

Fall Fruits

#1 Apples

Whether you and your family head to the local apple orchard or stock up on your favorite fall haul at the farmstand, apples are a classic fall fruit and for good reason. Apples pair perfectly with a lunchtime bowl of soup, a handcrafted sandwich or as a topping for a homemade salad. They can also be enjoyed as an easy and delicious on the go snack. If you enjoy the flavors of savory and sweet, slather your fresh apple slices with your favorite nut or seed butter and top with additional toppings like cocoa nibs or unsweetened shredded coconut. You can even create a super simple dessert by sauteing apple slices in a pan with a dash of cinnamon, a handful of crushed nuts and a spoonful of coconut oil.

#2 Asian Pears

Although apples are most commonly thought of during the fall season, mix it up by grabbing another fall fruit – Asian pears. Unlike traditional pears, Asian pears are hard when ripe, not soft like traditional pears, so if you are waiting for them to soften, you may be waiting a long time. Enjoy Asian pears on their own, add them to some Sourdough Seaweed Crackers with a slice of cheese or place on top of a fall harvest salad.

#3 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 batch of cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving dinners and Friendsgiving gatherings come November. If you can’t wait until the holidays to enjoy cranberries, create a chutney or make a homemade spread for toast and sandwiches. When making a chutney, simply add some chopped apples and nuts then enjoy on your favorite grilled meats like pork.

#4 Grapes

Just like apples and Asian pears, grapes are a great snack any time of day and pair well with your favorite snacks like a bag of Blue Evolution Organic Seaweed Popcorn, Seaweed Roasted Chickpeas or a handful of Seaweed and Cheddar Cheese Straws, Tip: If a group of grapes are past their prime, freeze them and enjoy for a sweet treat after lunch or dinner.

#5 Pomegranates

Pomegranate seeds are a juicy snack and add a brilliant pop of color to salads, just be careful because pomegranate juice stains. Trouble removing those stubborn seeds? Try this easy way to remove pomegranate seeds.

Fall Vegetables

#1 Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is a sweet and savory squash that makes for a great alternative to classic fall and winter dishes like candied yams. When selecting an acorn squash at your local farmers market or grocery store, pick one that is dull in color and heavy in weight. Avoid any with cracks or soft spots. When preparing, wash your acorn squash then cut it into ½ inch slices. Place slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with avocado oil. If you’re going for a savory flavor, add a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt, but if you prefer sweet, add a dash of cinnamon. Simply bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes then enjoy as a side dish, perfect for your next family dinner or gathering.

#2 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 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 other fall vegetables like sliced sweet potatoes or check out this recipe for Brussel Sprouts and Gruyere Rotini.

#3 Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a type of winter squash and is extremely versatile. Butternut squash skin is thin, making it relatively easy to cut. Wonderful when roasted, butternut squash can also be served boiled, pureed or stuffed. It makes an excellent addition to curries, homemade ravioli, risottos and stir fries. One of our favorite ways to use butternut squash is to cube it and add it to a bowl of Blue Evolution Superfood Seaweed Pasta topped with a savory homemade sauce. Butternut squash can also be substituted for any recipe that calls for pumpkin. When working with butternut nut squash, remember to keep the seeds, which can be roasted, just like pumpkin seeds and speaking of pumpkin…

#4 Pumpkin

We couldn’t create a list of fall produce without mentioning everyone’s fall favorite – pumpkin! We love pumpkin because it 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 just like butternut squash seeds.

#5 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 until the sweet potato is soft and tender then drizzle with your favorite nut or seed butter and enjoy!

Take a bite out of fall and enjoy the delicious bounty the fall harvest has to offer with these 10 fresh fruits and vegetables all perfect for the fall season. Happy Fall Ya’ll!

Show us your fall haul by tagging us @BlueEvolution.