As the summer fades into fall, carve out some time to explore the local community farmers market and stock up on some fall favorites. Although summer may be the typical time of year to explore the farmers market, there are so many delicious foods to discover during the fall harvest months. Whether you can’t get enough apples and pumpkins or are looking for some grounding foods, here is the ultimate fall produce guide for your fall haul.

Fall Fruits

Apples. Apples make for the perfect on the go snack and pair well with a creamy dip like homemade nut or seed butter. Apples can be enjoyed on a fresh fall salad, as a cracker topping or baked up into a traditional apple pie. Picked too many apples at the local orchard? No problem. Apples can be preserved in a variety of ways. Can them, freeze them or turn them into applesauce, but no matter which way you slice it, fall apples can be enjoyed all year long.

Asian Pears. Although apples are most commonly thought of during the fall season, mix it up by grabbing another fall fruit - Asian pears. Unlike traditional pears, Asian pears are hard when ripe, not soft like traditional pears, which means they can stay fresh in the fridge for up to three months. Like apples, pears can also be canned. Looking for another way to enjoy pears? Try these Sweet Potato, Pear and Thyme Topped Crackers.
 

Cranberries. Cranberry sauce isn’t just for Thanksgiving. Instead of enjoying this holiday staple just once a year, make a homemade batch and use it as a chutney or sandwich spread. Simply combine cranberries with chopped apples and nuts then enjoy on your favorite recipes.  Looking for more cranberry recipes? Bake up a loaf of this Cranberry Apple Bread snack on these Cranberry Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Bites or whip up a Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbread for the entire family.



Pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are a juicy snack and add a brilliant pop of color to any recipe including this Creamy Pomegranate Pistachio Dip or use those extra pomegranate seeds to bake up a batch of this Blueberry Pomegranate Pancake Casserole perfect for a weekend brunch.

Grapes. Just like apples and Asian pears, grapes are a great snack any time of day and pair well with your favorite additions  like almond flour crackers, sprouted seed crackers or veggie pita crackers. Grapes also make an excellent addition to any homemade charcuterie board. Grapes can be canned, dried, frozen or pickled. They can even be fermented and turned into homemade wine or vinegar.
 

Fall Vegetables

Acorn Squash. Acorn squash is a sweet and savory squash that makes a great alternative to classic fall and winter dishes like candied yams. When selecting an acorn squash at the local community farmers market, pick one that is dull in color and heavy in weight and void any with cracks or soft spots. Don’t forget to save the seeds either. Just like pumpkin seeds, acorn squash seeds can be roasted and enjoyed as a crunchy salad topper or salty snack.
 

Broccoli. Broccoli can be enjoyed raw, roasted or steamed and is sometimes enjoyed with melted cheese. Instead of enjoying your broccoli topped with a creamy cheese sauce, try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, which will give your broccoli a deliciously addictive umami flavor.
 

Brussel Sprouts. Similar to broccoli, Brussel sprouts are delicious raw, roasted or steamed. Shred them and enjoy in a beautiful and brilliant fall salad or combine them with another fall favorite and give family pizza night a fall twist with these recipes for Pesto Brussel Sprout Pizza or Pumpkin Sauce Pizza with Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Butternut Squash. Butternut squash is a type of winter squash that is extremely versatile. Wonderful when roasted, butternut squash can also be served boiled, pureed or stuffed. It makes an excellent addition to curries, homemade ravioli, risottos, soups and stir fries. Kitchen Tip: Butternut squash can also be substituted for any recipe that calls for pumpkin.

Cauliflower. Just like butternut squash, cauliflower is another fall food that is incredibly versatile. Make it into mash, turn it into rice or enjoy one of these cauliflower recipes: Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza with Ranch Sauce, Cauliflower, Beet and Kale Pizza, Cauliflower Hummus, Curry Cauliflower Gratin or Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Bites.

Fun Fact: Did you know our Pizza Dough Mix actually includes cauliflower?
 

Mushrooms. Mushrooms make a great addition to homemade sauces and salads, but they also make a delicious topping to pasta dishes and pizzas. Mushrooms can also be transformed into a savory tapenade like this Reishi Mushroom and Green Olive Tapenade.
 

Pumpkin. Pumpkin is a fall favorite that is loved by many. Completely versatile, pumpkin can be enjoyed in a variety of recipes including bread, brownies, coffee cake, cupcakes, muffins and of course, pumpkin pie. When baking and cooking with pumpkin, make sure you are using real pumpkin puree as opposed to pumpkin flavored fillings, which can be laden with artificial ingredients.



Fun Fact: Besides our Pumpkin Muffin and Bread Mix, we are also offering Pumpkin Pancakes and Waffle Mix, but fill your cart fast. We are featuring this for a limited time only!
 

Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes pair well with roasted Brussel sprouts for a sweet and savory side dish, but they also make for a great post workout snack too. Just slice in half, place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft and tender then drizzle with your favorite nut or seed butter and enjoy! Sweet potato can also be enjoyed in a variety of recipes including cracker bites, flatbread, gnocchi, pie and waffles.
 

Swiss Chard. Swiss Chard should be stored unwashed, in a plastic bag placed in your refrigerator's crisper for 2-3 days. This fall veggie doesn’t last long, so be sure you don’t buy too much and let it go to waste. Need some creative ways to use this leafy green? Try it in a soup, stew or in this recipe for a Harvest Spiral Veggie Tart perfect for the fall season.

Tip: Other fall foods include Daikon radish, garlic, ginger, radicchio and turnips. To access a complete list of all seasonal produce, click here.

Enjoy the fall season and all of the delicious bounty this season has to offer and be sure to show us your fall haul by tagging us @SimpleMills.