I love this time of year when we start to eat hearty meals. They are comforting and warming and perfect for when the weather starts to get a bit chillier. It’s the perfect time to embrace the changing seasons and dive into the rich flavours of autumn. I love going to our local farm shop and buying fresh produce and these are some of the best things to buy at this time of year.
Apples!
What to Buy: Autumn is apple season in the UK, and the variety available is staggering. Bramley's are perfect for cooking with their tart flavour and fluffy texture when baked. If you’re after a sweet snack reach for the Cox’s Orange Pippin or the Egremont Russet both bursting with flavour.
How to Use It: Apples are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them fresh or try making a classic apple crumble, change things up a bit with a Toffee Apple Crumble or even a spiced apple chutney. For something a bit different why not bake a caramelised apple cake.
Pumpkins!
What to Buy: Look for bright orange pumpkins like the traditional Cinderella or the smaller, sweeter varieties such as the Sugar Pie pumpkin.
How to Use It: Pumpkins are perfect for warming soups like this creamy one. They also make a fantastic addition to risottos or can be pureed for pies and muffins.
Root Vegetables!
What to Buy: Carrots, parsnips, and beetroot are at their best in autumn. Look for vibrant colours and firm textures. These hardy veggies are perfect for the cooler months bringing a depth of flavour and satisfying texture to any dish.
How to Use It: Roast a mix of root vegetables for a simple, comforting side dish or incorporate them into a hearty stew. Try a beetroot salad with goat cheese when the Autumn weather is still more like summer or a creamy carrot and parsnip soup for a warming treat when the days are a little chillier. Don’t forget about mash, a parsnip and potato mash is a delightful twist on the classic.
Cabbage and Kale!
What to Buy: Cabbage and kale come into their own in autumn. Savoy cabbage with its crinkly leaves, is perfect for hearty dishes, while kale rich in nutrients adds a robust green to your meals.
How to Use It: These greens are incredibly versatile. Stir fry shredded cabbage with bacon and onions for a quick side dish or add it to soups and stews for extra bulk and flavour. Kale chips are a healthy snack alternative just toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and bake until crisp. You can also blend kale into smoothies for a nutrient boost.
Mushrooms!
What to Buy: Look out for local varieties like chestnut, shiitake or the wild and wonderful hedgehog mushrooms. Look for mushrooms that are firm and dry, with a pleasant earthy smell.
How to Use It: Mushrooms are great in risottos, pasta dishes, or simply sautéed with garlic and herbs. They add a deep, umami-rich flavour to any meal. You can also stuff large mushrooms with cheese and breadcrumbs for a comforting starter.
Pears!
What to Buy: British pears like Conference or Comice are juicy and fragrant. A ripe pear should give slightly when pressed and have a sweet aroma.
How to Use It: Pears are delicious eaten fresh but they also shine in cooked dishes. Try poaching them in red wine for a sophisticated dessert. Pears also pair wonderfully with blue cheese in a salad or can be baked into pear and frangipane tarts.
Squash!
What to Buy: Butternut squash and acorn squash are both excellent choices for autumnal dishes. Look for firm, unblemished skin and a heavy feel, which indicates ripeness.
How to Use It: Roasted squash can be added to salads, blended into soups like this butternut squash and sweetcorn soup or used as a filling for ravioli. You can also roast slices of butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of sage for a delicious side dish. For a twist, try a butternut squash paella.
Leeks!
What to Buy: Look for leeks with firm, white bases and vibrant green tops.
How to Use It: Leeks are fantastic in soups, try a classic leek and potato soup or use them in quiches and casseroles for a subtle sweet onion flavour.
Blackberries!
What to Buy: If you’ve had a good foraging season you might come across some wild blackberries otherwise market stalls often have them fresh.
How to Use It: Blackberries are perfect for jams, desserts, or a tangy fruit sauce over pancakes. They also make a lovely addition to smoothies, crumbles or add them to apple & blackberry crumble bars.
Do you shop from markets or farm shops?
I agree 100% about getting to eat all of the hearty foods once the weather turns cold. I love soups and stews but it's just too darn hot for them during the summer. I love your list of foods here... so many good, healthy choices! I LOVE apples. I eat one every single day of the year, so of course, apple season is nice since they're less expensive this time of year!
ReplyDeleteI wish we could buy Bramleys here. I haven't been able to find anything comparable. They make the best crumble and pie.
ReplyDeleteI love all these farm fresh foods! We plan to go apple picking this weekend and I have been loving seeing what is in my farm box each week and coming up with a plan to use it up within the week.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this time of year and all of the hearty food too! I've already got my pumpkin decs' out lol. Farmers shops are the best. I buy our veg and meat from ours.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for including my soup! I'm going to be making your Pumpkin Spiced Muffins, they sound yummy. xx
One of the few things I actually love about the colder weather is getting to enjoy hearty meals! Your list of delicious fresh produce reminds me of when we sometimes head to the local farmers' market. I love seeing all the colourful, fresh produce. Funny how things change—when I was a kid, my mum would take me to the markets almost every Saturday, and I thought it was the most boring thing ever, haha! Now, I love going and wish I could relive those moments.
ReplyDeleteOur tree is absolutely brimming with bramleys (x2 trees), but most have now fallen on the floor thanks to the storm last night. N is currently making an apple and blackberry (picked from our hedgerows) crumble.
ReplyDelete