Fall’s Best Produce to Put on Your Table

By Kelly Morgan, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Chair, Fundraising and Marketing Committee

Do you look forward to Fall produce every year? Pumpkins, apples, squash, there are so many delicious produce options that we wait all year long for that Fall delivers. Pumpkin season is officially here, and while pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pies might not be the healthiest options,  pumpkins are excellent for creating hearty, warming soups in your slow cooker that will boost your health. You can also make a delicious and healthy snack out of roasting the seeds. 

Aside from the great pumpkin, here are some more Fall seasonal produce you should snap up from your local farmers market to put on your table. 

Apples 

Like pumpkins, we see a lot of apple-based recipes in Fall. But let’s not forget that this is prime apple season, too. You can enjoy the fresh-picked taste of this ultimate natural health food right out of your fruit bowl, sliced and topped with peanut butter, or even added to your salads. 

Winter Greens 

Why should kale get all the attention? Get a batch of winter greens that are either mixed or separate with collard greens, mustard greens, or turnip greens. These greens all have plenty of vitamins and minerals plus loads of antioxidants. Make them into salads, sauté them and top them with baked fish, or add them to your soups and stews for more nutrition.

Pomegranates 

Juicy and delicious, pomegranates are a superb choice. They do take some effort to eat, but the effort is entirely worth it. You can also garnish your salads with them for a bright pop of color. 

Pears 

There are so many types of pears. Bartlett pears are among the most well-known of them, but your farmers market may have a different, lesser-known variety to try and love. They’re juicy and enjoyable on their own but if you want a dessert that tastes sinful without wrecking your goals, try poaching your pears for a genuinely classy finish. 

Sweet Potatoes 

Fun fact: sweet potatoes are not yams or related to potatoes. Bake them up with some cinnamon to enjoy their custardy texture and sweetness without the guilt!

Squash 

Pumpkin technically falls into the squash category, but the others you shouldn’t miss are acorn, spaghetti, and butternut. They are hearty and healthy, not to mention delicious. 

Persimmons 

They almost look like under ripe tomatoes, but look closely and you’ll see they’re persimmons. Most grocery stores don’t carry them, even in the height of their season. Look for them at your local farmers market. They make a great snack! 

Beets 

While they stain, beets cooked or raw are a root vegetable that you shouldn’t miss. You can buy them pre-made in your produce section to make them even easier to use. They’re amazing on salads with a little crumble of goat cheese and walnuts for good measure. 

Make the most of the season’s bounty, and you’ll be making the most of your grocery budget, not to mention, the most of your health too!