Enjoying Flavors of a New Season
As much as I love the summer and all that comes with it (warm temps, the beach, fun in the sun), each year I find myself getting excited for the pleasures autumn brings. I’m not the only one either–earlier this week a friend posted on Facebook, “Pumpkin Spice coffee is back at Dunkin’ Donuts!!! It’s gonna be a great day!” It’s funny how something so simple can make a big difference in your mood.
Now that Labor Day has passed I have a few things on my “to-do” list for the upcoming weekend. I’ll be sprucing up the house with some fall flowers, specifically bright-colored mums and getting rid of the ragged looking petunias I’ve had since early June (they’ve seen better days!). I’ll also be taking advantage of the fresh fall produce that’s now available in the grocery store and at local farmer’s markets. Fall fruits and veggies are just starting to come into their peak so now is the time to buy them. You’ll get the best tasting produce and they’re in season, which means they’re at the best prices! I’m talking items like butternut squash, acorn squash, pears, apples, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnips, sweet potatoes and pumpkin.
The past few months I’ve been focusing on summer items and lighter menus that are geared around the hotter weather. This weekend I’m looking forward to roasting some fresh butternut squash and I’m going to try this Pears ‘n Apple Crisp w/Cranberries recipe from Fruits & Veggies–More Matters as pears are the fruit of the month. As the cooler weather sets in I’ll be making more soups, roasting more veggies and doing more baking–all things I look forward to after a 3-4 month break from them. Even herbs and spices change with the season. Cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary and sage represent fall cooking to me and will be showing up in my recipes more frequently over the next few months.
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the change of seasons with including some healthy fall cooking in your own home. Be sure to check out the latest Fruits & Veggies–More Matters Pinterest Board, Fall Favorites, which features some mouth watering dishes perfect for the season!
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