Amazing Fall Produce and How it can Compliment your Meals
Introduction
From buttery butternut squash to sweet sweet potatoes and tangy cranberries, fall produce is among the most versatile and delicious in existence. And while you may be tempted to turn most of these delicacies into soups and casseroles, there's a whole world of creative uses for this seasonal fruit and veggies. In fact, adding fall produce as a side dish or an ingredient in your meals can give them a fun kick of flavor that'll have everyone talking about your meal long after they've had their fill. But how do you know what fall produce goes well with what meal? Well, let me tell you!
Brussels Sprouts can be prepared many different ways and are a great fall produce that adds lots of flavor to a meal:
Brussels sprouts are a great fall produce that adds lots of flavor to a meal. They can be prepared many different ways, sweet or salty, and added to many meals to elevate the flavor. They can also be steamed or roasted for a delicious side dish. Brussels sprouts are very versatile as they pair well with both sweet and savory flavors such as caramelized onions, bacon or garlic parmesan butter. You can even make them into a salad by adding some apples and pecans!
How to use Butternut Squash to compliment a meal:
Butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many ways. Here are some ideas:
Cook it and serve it as a side dish with your meal. Simply cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, then roast at 350°F for 40-50 minutes. You'll know you've cooked butternut squash correctly when it's soft and easily pierced with a fork.
Add butternut squash to soup when cooking to make it heartier. You can cut into small chunks, cook for about 15 minutes in chicken or vegetable broth until tender. Then add to your favorite soup recipe!
You can also roast the whole sliced squash and use it as a serving bowl for dips or stewed meats.
Add cubed butternut squash to salads (along with other root vegetables) for extra flavor and texture! To add to salads: Halve and remove seeds as described above, then slice into ¼" thick slices. Toss these pieces with vinaigrette dressing before adding them on top of your salad greens—you'll love how they soften up while soaking up some delicious flavors from all those greens.
Cranberries can be a fun way to add extra flavor to a meal:
Cranberries are a fun way to add extra flavor to a meal. You can use them as an accompaniment or as an ingredient. If you're looking for ways to incorporate these lovely fruits into your diet, here are some suggestions.
Bake them with apples: In this recipe from Bon Appetit, cranberries and apples are baked together with cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice until they're soft and tender. This is the perfect side dish for roasted meats or poultry!
Cranberry relish: The perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table! This holiday relish from Martha Stewart is made with fresh cranberries and pears that have been cooked in sugar water until soft before being chopped up into tiny pieces (no peeling necessary). Tossed with apple cider vinegar and orange zest, then refrigerated overnight so all of those flavors can mingle together perfectly—you'll be so glad you did!
Sweet Potatoes can be sweet and salty!
Sweet potatoes are one of the best fall produce items. They can be sweet, savory and salty all at once. Sweet potatoes are an excellent way to add flavor to any meal.
If you love sweet potato fries or just baked, then this is for you! You will be surprised how much flavor they give your meal without tasting like a dessert food item.
Sweet potatoes can be paired with many different meals such as chicken, steak or pork chops. They also pair well with other vegetables such as spinach or corn if you have a sweet tooth. You can also make it into a vegetarian meal by baking the sweet potato, adding cooked onions, spinach, and feta cheese to top it off! The possibilities are endless with sweet potatoes!
Conclusion
By showing you some of the most popular fall foods, we hope we’ve given you a new way to think about seasonal eating. This is also just a taste of what fall has to offer. There are so many more delicious and creative things you can do with these fruits and vegetables. And don’t worry if your local grocery store or farmers market doesn’t carry everything on this list. As always, the best way to eat seasonally is to focus on the produce that grows in your climate at this time of year.
Join us at The Leaf for an upcoming fall-focused menu sure to delight!
The Leaf, located in downtown Wooster, offers a vast menu that will make breakfast through dinner a delightful experience! Open Tuesday through Sunday, our creative culinary team creates delicious dishes for you. Bring a friend or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest specials and new menu items. Reservations can be made at OpenTable or by calling 330-804-0126. Interested in holding your next event at The Leaf? We are happy to accommodate larger parties or planned gatherings.