Fall Is Coming: Seasonal Foods to Look Forward To
There’s something exciting about the change of seasons. While saying goodbye to summer produce can feel a little bittersweet, fall brings an entirely new lineup of fresh, flavorful foods to enjoy.
Apples, pears, squash, Brussels sprouts and pomegranates are just a few of the foods that shine this time of year. And while we can find most produce year-round these days, choosing fruits and vegetables when they’re in season often means better flavor, better prices and produce at its freshest.
As fall gets closer, here are a few seasonal favorites to look forward to:
Apples
Nothing says fall quite like a crisp apple. Although apples are available throughout the year, fall is peak season for many varieties—which means more choices and often better prices.
Look for apples that feel firm with smooth, tight skin and no bruises or soft spots. Smaller apples can often be juicier and crisper than larger varieties. Keep them at room temperature if you want them to ripen, or store them in the refrigerator to help them last longer.
Brussels Sprouts
Fall is the perfect time to bring Brussels sprouts back into the rotation. Choose small, compact sprouts that are bright green and fresh-looking.
Try roasting them with a little olive oil and seasoning until they're crispy, or keep it simple by steaming them and adding a touch of butter and salt.
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are one of those unmistakable flavors of fall and the holiday season. They're naturally quite tart, so they're not typically eaten raw, but cooking them brings out their flavor.
When buying fresh cranberries, look for berries that are round, shiny, firm and deep red without brown spots.
Fennel
If you haven't cooked with fennel before, fall is a great time to try it. The bulb, leaves and seeds are all edible and have a subtle licorice-like flavor.
Choose fennel with a firm, white bulb that's free from blemishes. One delicious combination to try: roasted fennel and sweet potatoes. The mixture of savory, slightly sweet flavors and different textures makes a great fall side dish.
Grapes
There are thousands of grape varieties, ranging in color, sweetness and flavor. Whatever variety you choose, look for grapes that are firm and consistent in color.
Keep them refrigerated to extend their freshness—or try freezing them for an easy, naturally sweet snack.
Green Beans
Fresh green beans are another simple way to add more vegetables to fall meals. Look for bright green beans that are firm enough to snap easily when bent and free from blemishes.
Choose beans that are relatively similar in size so they'll cook evenly.
Pears
There's nothing quite like a perfectly ripe pear—but we all know that perfect window doesn't last forever!
Pears become sweeter and softer as they ripen. Look for a pear that gives slightly when gently pressed near the stem. Leave firmer pears at room temperature to ripen, then move them to the refrigerator once they're ready to eat.
Pomegranates
Those beautiful ruby-red pomegranate seeds add color, crunch and a burst of flavor to salads, yogurt, oatmeal and more.
When choosing a pomegranate, look for one that feels heavy for its size with firm, plump skin. They're also great for keeping on hand because whole pomegranates can stay fresh for quite a while when stored properly.
Winter Squash
Butternut, acorn, spaghetti, buttercup and other winter squashes are some of the best parts of fall cooking.
Unlike summer squash, winter varieties have a thick, hard exterior that allows them to be stored for much longer. Choose squash that feels heavy for its size with a firm, intact shell.
Roast it, add it to soups, toss it into salads or use spaghetti squash as the base of a meal. There are so many ways to enjoy it.
A New Season, A Fresh Start
Fall is a great reminder that healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's simply about getting back to the basics—choosing fresh foods, trying something new and finding simple ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals.
As the temperatures cool and the seasons change, take advantage of everything this new crop has to offer. We have a delicious line-up of fall dishes here at Movara, we hope you’ll come spend a week and see how yummy nutrient-dense food actually tastes!
Here’s to a healthy—and delicious—fall! 🍂
Adapted from a blog post by Emily Fonnesbeck, RD, CD.
Some produce information adapted from Encyclopedia of Foods: A Guide to Healthy Nutrition, prepared by medical and nutrition experts from the Mayo Clinic, University of California Los Angeles and Dole Food Company, Inc.