78 Ways to Enjoy Fall Produce (Ultimate Recipe Swap)

The seasons are changing! With the arrival of fall comes a plethora of great flavors in fall produce. See a good deal or a great harvest, try one of these 78 ways to enjoy autumn fruits and veg.

I love the coming of Autumn. I’d like to say that it’s my favorite season, but really the beginning of every season is my favorite. I love the newness of the change of climate and the altered appearance of the foliage, whether it’s fall leaves, bare winter branches, spring buds, or summer leaves.

And of course, I’m here for the food. Now that we get a weekly produce box, we’re starting to eat more seasonally around here. And we’re more than ready for Fall Produce! Apples, Pears, and Squash — Oh my! I relish every one of them.

This week, as the fall season starts to awaken, I thought it would be good to round up some recipes to make the most of fall produce. In this way, when you find a great sale on apples or your pear tree is ready to burst, you’ll know what to do with the bounty.

Some of these are my own recipes, but many are from friends. Ready? Set? Eat!

Apples

As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor a way. Apples are full of fiber and antioxidants; research suggests that they may reduce the risk of some cancers.

Plus, they taste great!

However, conventional apples are high on the Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residue. For this reason, it’s best to buy organic apples whenever possible.

• Apples and Maple Whipped Cream :: Life as MOM
• Slab Apple Pie :: Life as MOM
• Oven Baked Apple Compote :: Good Cheap Eats
• Slowcooker Applesauce :: Life as MOM
• Cinnamon Apple Oatcakes :: Life as MOM
• Harvest Salad with Chicken, Apples, and Cheddar :: Good Cheap Eats
• Apple Crisp :: The Finer Things in Life
• Fried Apples :: Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
• No-Bake Apple Oatmeal Cookies :: Once a Month Mom
• Fall Flavors Quinoa Salad :: Once a Month Mom
• Carrot Apple Nut Muffins :: Once a Month Mom
• Apple Chips :: Simple Bites
• Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oats :: Simple Bites
• Baked Apple-Gingerbread Pancake :: Simple Bites
• Apple Almond Conserve :: Simple Bites

Pears

Pears offer great taste, fiber, and vitamin C. It’s important to purchase unripe pears. They ripen and bruise quickly after picking. Store pears at room temperature until ripe and then refrigerate them.

While pears aren’t on the Dirty Dozen, they do rank in the top 20 of produce with high residue from pesticides, so organic is again the best bet with these.

• Pear and Bleu Cheese Salad with Maple Spiced Toppings :: Life as MOM
• Spiced Pear Cake :: Life as MOM
• Baked Pears with Ginger Crumble :: Good Cheap Eats
• Baked Pears with Caramel Sauce :: Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
• Cinnamon Pear Crostada with Almond Oat Crust :: Good Life Eats
• Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter :: Good Life Eats
• Maple Vanilla Roasted Pear Parfaits :: Simple Bites

Pomegranates

The pomegranate has been touted for centuries for its delicious taste and healing properties. It’s fun to eat and beautiful to add to many a dish.

• How to Juice a Pomegranate :: Good Cheap Eats
• Pomegranate Jelly :: Simply Recipes
• Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, & Roquefort Salad :: Good Life Eats
• Spiced Pomegranate Spiced Cider :: Good Life Eats
• Pomegranate Sparklers :: Simple Bites
• Apple-Fennel Salad with Pecans & Pomegranate :: Simple Bites
• Citrus & Pomegranate Salad with Rose Water-Vanilla :: Simple Bites

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a good source of both vitamins and minerals. While they aren’t technically a fruit or vegetable (they are considered fungi), they do grow naturally in the woods.

Their umami (“a savory, brothy, rich or meaty taste sensation”) characteristics help them add flavor and richness to many meals. Go here to learn more about the benefits of mushrooms.

• Mushrooms Stuffed with Mustard Greens and Bacon :: Good Cheap Eats
• Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions with Balsamic Vinegar :: Good Cheap Eats
• Mushrooms Stuffed with Leeks :: The Mushroom Channel
• Bacon Wrapped Rosemary Mushrooms :: The Mushroom Channel
• Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza with Bacon and Leeks :: The Mushroom Channel
• Balsamic and Thyme Roasted Portabella Mushrooms :: Good Life Eats
• Chicken Marsala :: Good Life Eats

Winter Squash

Winter squash like butternut, spaghetti, or acorn differs from summer squash in that it is harvested and eaten when mature, that is the skin is a tough rind and the seeds are mature. They store well over the fall months and into winter.

• Butternut Squash Brownies :: Good Cheap Eats
• Butternut Squash Puree :: Good Cheap Eats
• Butternut Squash Gratin :: Simple Bites
• Butternut Squash Whole-Wheat Mac & Cheese :: Simple Bites
• Butternut Squash and Apple Soup :: Simple Bites
• Baked Mac and Cheese with Gruyere and Butternut Squash :: Good Life Eats
• Healthy Holiday Apple Pecan Stuffed Squash :: Good Life Eats

photo source: Shaina Olmanson

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable high in vitamins and minerals. The darker ones have more beta-carotene than the lighter fleshed ones. They are often misnamed “yams”.

The rank on the Clean Fifteen in terms of pesticide residue.

• Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls :: Good Life Eats
• Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips :: Simple Bites
• Sweet Potatoes and Apples in the Slow Cooker :: Eat at Home

Pumpkin

A gourd-like squash, the pumpkin is ubiquitous throughout the US in the fall in anticipation of Halloween celebrations. However, not all pumpkins are good for eating. Choose sugar pumpkins over the larger jack-0’lantern variety.

• Pumpkin Onion Rolls :: Good Cheap Eats
• Pumpkin Coffeecake with Pepitas :: Good Cheap Eats
• Pumpkin Challah :: Simple Bites
• Pumpkin Purée :: Simple Bites
• Pumpkin Spice Snaps :: Simple Bites
• Simple Chilled Pumpkin Cheesecake :: Simple Bites
• Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate :: Good Life Eats
• Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Pots :: Good Life Eats
• Pumpkin Spiced Mini Muffins :: Once a Month Mom
• Gluten-free, Dairy-free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins :: Once a Month Mom
• Pumpkin Pancake Squares :: Once a Month Mom
• Apples and Cranberries Baked in a Pumpkin :: Eat at Home

photo source: Aimee Wimbush-Bourque

Kale or Other Greens

Kale is a type of cabbage that has seen new life as a trend. Kale chips and kale salads are much more common than they once were. This green leafy freezes well and actually improves in flavor after a frost.

It’s considered part of the Dirty Dozen, so buy organic kale if you can.

• Skillet Poached Eggs with Spinach :: Good Cheap Eats
• Kale Salad with Maple-Poppyseed Dressing :: Simple Bites
• Quinoa and Kale Mini Quiches :: Once a Month Mom
• Potato Kale Soup :: Once a Month Mom
• Colcannon with Leeks and Kale :: Good Life Eats
• Winter Minestrone with Swiss Chard and Sausage :: Good Life Eats

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are another member of the cabbage family, its diminutive heads growing off a central stalk. It is best eaten fresh, not from frozen. Trust me on that one.

• Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots :: Good Cheap Eats
• Brussels Sprouts Breakfast Hash with Eggs :: Food For My Family
• Linguini with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Shallots :: Good Life Eats
• Stir-fried Brussels Sprouts with Lemon & Parmesan :: Simple Bites

Cauliflower

Cauliflower, a relative of broccoli, is actually available in more colors than just white. Orange, green and purple varieties are also available. It’s low in fat and carbs, but high in all kinds of good stuff instead, include folate and vitamin C.

• Cajun Spiced Cauliflower :: Life as MOM
• Aunt Sandy’s Cream of Cauliflower Soup :: Life as MOM
• Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Soup :: Good Life Eats
• Roasted Cauliflower and Tomatoes :: Good Life Eats
• Cream of Cauliflower Soup :: Eat at Home

Make the most of fall produce!

Not only will you save money by purchasing these items when they are most plentiful but you’ll also enjoy them at their peak of freshness and flavor. I’m learning the value of eating seasonally. Not only is it cost effective and tastier, but it makes the arrival of the autumn months that much more precious and enjoyable.

URS Guidelines

Remember: Each week at Ultimate Recipe Swap, there is a posted theme. You are welcome to share any recipe that fits the theme and contains a link back to Life as MOM. If you’re curious about the upcoming themes, I have a calendar here. This week’s theme is Fall Produce.

If you have a recipe that fits the theme, please link it. However, things like Beef Strogonaff will be deleted from Chicken week because it doesn’t contain chicken. Please keep this meme as helpful to others as we can.

And don’t make me the bad guy! 

What is your favorite recipe for fall produce?