Fall in Southeastern North Carolina may not be super chilly, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make chili!
Okay, no more jokes, but it is a great season for produce. Farmers’ markets this time of year are booming with beautiful local produce that are begging to be made into hearty soups and delicious dishes. I know I am looking forward to making lots of warm, comforting dishes throughout this season.
Some vegetables that you can find at your local farmers’ market this fall include: cabbage, beets, collard greens, herbs, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, pumpkins, radishes, snow peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, and winter squash.
One of the major perks of shopping in-season produce, either at your local farmers’ market or grocery store, is that it is more
cost effective. Prices are lower due to reduced transportation and storage costs since there is an ample amount of the crop, and it is readily available. For folks who have SNAP benefits, check out your local farmers’ markets to see if they offer “double bucks” where you can get additional dollars to spend at your farmers’ market on fresh produce.
Now that you have fall produce, what should you make? One of the easiest ways to incorporate seasonal produce into your meals is using them in dishes you already enjoy. Try swapping out vegetables you usually use with an in-season option. Throw them into salads, casseroles, and pasta.
Fall time is also a great opportunity to make warm and comforting dishes, such as soups and stews. Classics during this season are chili (try adding sweet potatoes in there), butternut squash soup, and vegetable stews. Other great options include stuffed collard greens, quesadillas filled with seasonal vegetables, and butternut squash mac-n-cheese.
Get creative with your seasonal produce with various cuisine styles. If you enjoy Indian cuisine, try making sweet potato samosas, curry dishes with winter squash, or pumpkin dal. Try Polish cuisine such as cabbage rolls, pierogies filled with winter squash, and beet soups. Additionally, when in doubt, my favorite thing to do with vegetables is roast them. Add a little olive oil, seasonings, and bake until they are tender and a little crispy. They are usually delicious by themselves, but it is also fun to make a sauce. Try using a combination of herbs and spices, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice to make a bright and delicious sauce to accompany your dish.
Keep it simple or try something new, either way I hope you enjoy the wide array of in-season produce this fall has to offer. For more recipe ideas, check out Med Instead of Meds.
Allison Mattocks is the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. They can be reached at allison_mattocks@ncsu.edu.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC has some great fall produce. Put it to good use in your kitchen
