What’s In Season: A Fall Produce Guide for Cozy Season!
Crisp fall mornings & rainy afternoons make for the perfect cozy ambience. But they also make for a whole new wave of produce! From nostalgic root vegetables to tart fresh apples, here is a rundown of how to use fresh local produce this fall.
Happy Hosting:
With many holidays and nights in on the horizon, it’s a great time to try some new recipes that are meant for sharing. Check out the ideas below that use fresh local produce.
Apple Crisp- When baking with apples, Granny Smith apples are the way to go! They’ll bake to a perfect texture, with a balance of sweet and tart. When it comes to the crisp portion, you can make it at home from oats, brown sugar, & spices or you can grab some pre-made mix when you’re picking apples! Some favorite local spots are DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchard or Hick’s Orchard!
Pumpkin Pie – Of course we all know and love this seasonal classic. But did you know pumpkins also contain vitamins A, C, E and potassium? So this treat is nostalgic and has health benefits. You can make it from local pumpkins too. Grab some smaller pumpkins while you’re apple picking, cut them in half, remove the seeds, then roast the pumpkin in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes. When they’re done, peel the skin off and puree what’s left and you’ll have fresh local pumpkin puree for your pies.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese – Squash season has finally returned! These versatile gourds are perfect as their own side dish, but they shine when added to soups and casseroles. They add a delicious nutty flavor and a creamy texture. If you haven’t added squash to your mac & cheese before, get ready to take it to new heights. When your friends & family ask for the recipe, let them know you found it here.
Staying Warm:
The chill in the air is no match for these hot beverages. Perfect for enjoying with a nice book or to serve to guests.
The Sleepy Mocktail – This served hot mocktail went viral last year for cozy season. It’s perfect to enjoy fireside before tucking in for a fall night that will leave you not just feeling rested, but like you hibernated. Add tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, juice from one mandarin, and maple syrup to a cup of chamomile tea. Each one of these ingredients has antioxidants and naturally-occurring melatonin that will help you unwind.
Slow Cooked Apple Cider – Remember that local apple orchard that you got apples, apple crisp mix, and pie pumpkins from? Well make sure you grab some apple cider too! Mulled apple cider is a classic fall beverage. It’s time to take the slow cooker out of storage because you’ll be using it a lot this month. Slowly heat 1 gallon of apple cider, a sliced orange, a piece of ginger, five cinnamon sticks, and a tablespoon of cloves. Your home will smell amazing and every sip will taste like pure fall nostalgia.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa – Another perfectly nostalgic hot beverage is of course, hot cocoa. Dark chocolate already has amazing health benefits, but why not boost this beverage more with some pumpkin puree? Add in just a few tablespoons of pumpkin plus a mix of vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a perfect combination of hot cocoa and pumpkin pie.
Keeping Things Fresh:
As summer dies down, fresh fruits and crisp salad seem to be harder to find. But don’t worry, here are some ways to enjoy fresh fruits & veggies, no cooking required!
Green Apple Salad – Chopped green apples make the perfect addition to a salad! Add goat cheese & cranberries for a fresh fall treat that’s perfectly balanced.
Pomegranate Pear Smoothie – These two hearty fruits thrive this time of year. To make this smoothie, blend 1 cup of chopped pears, 1 banana, 1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds, 2 teaspoons of minced ginger, ice, and 1 cup of pomegranate juice. This smoothie is sweet but tart, and will help brighten your mornings, even if the sun is rising later than we like. Find out more about this recipe here.
Fall is a beautiful time of year to take care of yourself and rest, especially to prepare for winter holidays! Enjoy these recipes and have a great fall.
About the Author
By: Ericka Wadleigh
Exclusive for JulieCoRealty.com