Fall is my favorite season. The crisp weather, colored leaves, and scrumptious food! I know people associate fall with apples and pumpkins, but there are so many different seasonal foods you should try this fall. Fall usually means the end of a bountiful harvest, and being from the breadbasket of America, it’s a critical time of year! Even though apples and pumpkins are delicious, there are so many other incredible fall ingredients that should  be highlighted! Today, we are going to talk about some of my favorite fall ingredients and how I use them!

 

Beets

I LOVE BEETS! Especially pickled (candied) beets. Beets can be used in so many different ways! Whether in salads, pastas, pickled, or jellied, they are delicious in many different ways! If you are going to purchase beets, try to purchase them from a farmer’s market or locally owned shop. Hand grown beets are some of the most delicious delicacies you will ever taste! One of my favorite fall recipes is a delicious beet and apple salad from vanillaandbean.com. Check out the recipe here: https://vanillaandbean.com/roasted-beet-and-apple-salad-with-apple-cider-vinaigrette/

 

Fennel

With the crunch of celery and the taste of anise, no wonder fennel is near the top of the list! I eat fennel all year round but it goes great with many different fall ingredients. There are many different ways to use fennel from the bulb, to the stalk, and even the fronds! My personal favorite part is the bulb but the fronds make a delicious pesto in a pinch! Fennel can be added in salads but I think it is best used in braising and slow cooking recipes. One of my favorite recipes is a slow braised tuscan style fennel. If you have never eaten fennel and want to give it a try, check out this recipe. You’ll never go back! http://www.sweetpaulmag.com/food/tuscan-braised-fennel

 

Carrots

Brown sugar carrots are one of my favorite healthy treats. I really love the multicolor carrots because not only do you get the same delicious flavor, it makes your meal look even more appetizing! One of my favorite ways to make carrots this fall is by roasting them! I made this recipe for supper a few nights ago and have been thinking about it since! Thinking about making it for lunch tomorrow! Check out the delicious recipe here! https://kalynskitchen.com/roasted-carrots-and-mushrooms-with/

 

Figs

Some people give figs a bad rap, but if you prepare them right, they can pair any dish very nicely! With a light honey and berry flavor, figs can be made into delicious appetizers. Most people think you can only roast figs or make them into preserves/jams but that is TOTALLY wrong! Not only are they a delicious pairing on a cheese board, but they can also be made into soup for a light sweet flavor to complement many soups! I love roasted figs but they aren’t very popular in my area. When I do get the chance to pick some up, I always make this recipe with a few of them! Check out my favorite recipe here! The lightness of the honey and the goat cheese pair so well with the fig! https://town-n-country-living.com/roasted-figs-goat-cheese-honey.html

 

Squash

There are SO MANY different kinds of squash! Acorn, spaghetti, butternut, or pumpkin there are so many delicious fall recipes to try! For this purpose we will be focusing specifically on butternut, but there are so many delicious recipes with all the previous squash mentioned so don’t count them out. Butternut squash is a very diverse ingredient used in a wide variety of dishes! I know many of you are thinking I’m going to list off roasted or made into a soup as my favorite way but you are very wrong! I stumbled upon this recipe a while ago because I wanted to try a different method of cooking the squash, so I stumbled upon this delicious butternut squash curry recipe. Not only does the sweetness of the squash add a different element to the dish but the spiciness and savoriness really amp it up! Check out the recipe here: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/butternut-squash-curry/

 

Pears

Pears pair so nicely with many different courses! (Did you get my joke there? Haha! Sorry I’ll Stop). My mom has a delicious recipe for canned pears that is so delicious on top of cottage cheese or to have with morning toast! I am a sucker for a delicious cobbler (that delicious peach cobbler, right mom?) so when I saw this spice pear cobbler I knew I had to try it and I was so glad I did. This is one of my favorite fall recipes and I think I will go make some right now! Check out Jennifer’s delicious recipe right here: https://bakeorbreak.com/2016/10/autumn-spice-pear-cobbler/?utm_content=Autumn%20Spice%20Pear%20Cobbler

 

I know many of you may have seen the title and rolled your eyes because you don’t want summer to be over yet, so sorry in advance. Fall is my favorite season so when it starts getting cold, all my happiness comes out. I hope you give all these recipes a try, or even try the one that appeals most to you! What recipe are you the most excited to try? What is your favorite fall  ingredient! Let me know in the comments below and keep up with me @sunshineandseasoning on Instagram! Happy not official fall yet everyone!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

-Bre 🙂

 

Photo by canva.com