Fall: Enjoy The Fruits (And Veggies) Of Its Labor

 

Ahh, fall. It brings a lot to the table. School’s back in session, the leaves are giving you views to brag about, and nighttime comes a tad earlier. It also brings us two major holidays centered on the art of feasting – Thanksgiving and Halloween. Could autumn get any better?

Surprisingly, yes. With its onslaught of amazing seasonal crops, it’s a great time of year to take advantage of local farmers markets. If you happen to find yourself at one this weekend, keep your eyes peeled for some of our seasonal favorites:

Apples

Tip: Autumn is apple prime time because the more “unusual” heirloom types like Pink Pearls, Gravensteins and Yellow Bellflowers come out to play come out to play. Throw an apple tasting party, perhaps?

Beets

Tip: When venturing into beet-eating territory, try roasting instead of boiling. The results are caramelized and intensely yummy.

Kale

Tip: Two – wait, three words… Baked. Kale. Chips. We’ll leave it at that and leave this recipe here. You’ll thank us later.

Squash

Tip: They’re great for roasting, mashing and making some warm-your-bones soup. There’s not much squash can’t do.

Eggplant

Tip: The humble eggplant’s meaty texture makes it a great substitute for vegetarians. Try it in lasagna, a sandwich or even as a smoky baba ghanouj.
Those are a few of our favorite fall goodies, but you can find your own favorites with some help from the free Locavore app. It’ll help you pinpoint local farmers markets and even shed some light on seasonal recipes.
If you don’t have access to the App Store or Android Market, find delicious, fall-friendly recipes in Cooking Light’s guide to fall produce.
Think you have the best farmer’s market or produce aisle tips for fall? Please share the wealth in our comments section. Happy fall feasting, friends.