As we advance into autumn, your favorite fall fruits and veggies are ready for harvesting. But what do you do with an abundance of fresh cornucopia-worthy produce?
You spent spring and summer planting, watering, weeding, and tending to your garden. Now, it’s time to enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor! Here are some ways to make the most of your fall harvest.
Apples
Apple pie, apple cider, apple sauce, apple butter, bobbing for apples… the apple may be autumn’s most iconic fruit. If you’re lucky enough to own an apple tree, your favorite fruit should be hitting peak ripeness right about now. If you need more ideas for ways to use your overabundance of apples, try making apple chips, baking apple bread and muffins, or adding them to your grilled cheese! (Trust us, it’s delicious.)
Carrots
Eh, what’s up, doc? Bugs isn’t the only big fan of fresh carrots. Put them to good use in a classic, freshly baked carrot cake or muffins. Carrots can also be used as a side dish for almost any meal. Toss them in the slow cooker with some corned beef, roast them in the oven with chicken, or shred some on your salad.
Cranberries
Cranberries are subtle, sweet, and tart. This versatile fruit serves as a perfect ingredient for both sweet treats and savory dishes. The classic canned variety is tasty, but have you ever sampled homemade cranberry sauce? Mmmm… delish. You can also add cranberries to an apple crumble for extra flavor, blend them into a sauce for meatballs, or muddle them into a special Holiday Moscow Mule.
Bonus fun fact: Did you know that cranberries are only grown in five US states? In fact, Wisconsin alone produces more than half of all the country’s consumed cranberries!
Garlic
With Halloween creeping around the corner, it’s time to stock up on garlic to fend off any vampires that might come your way! In addition to being the ultimate ingredient for almost any savory dish, garlic is also useful in other ways. Boil it into a tea to fight a cold, mix it with olive oil to treat athlete’s foot, or apply it to a splinter to coax it out. Who knew garlic could be so handy?
Squash (Butternut, Acorn, Pumpkin)
Squash: the one fall fruit to rule them all. This versatile ingredient comes in many shapes, sizes, and varieties. From butternut and acorn to, of course, pumpkin. Have you ever tried squash soup? Or a side dish of roasted squash? And who can resist a big slice of pumpkin pie? However, if these don’t dishes suit your fancy, simply throw some fun-colored squash on the front porch as a quick and easy fall decoration.
Sweet Potatoes
Oh, potatoes. Sweet, sweet potatoes. However you prepare them, you can’t go wrong. You just can’t go wrong. Mashed or roasted sweet potatoes make a delicious side dish, or chop them up to add to your chilly weather chili. And don’t forget to top your sweet potato casserole with some cinnamon and marshmallows just before they come out of the oven (you’ll thank us later.) Or, if you own a fancy air fryer, try your hand at homemade sweet potato fries!
Turnips
It’s time to “turnip” the beat, because these root vegetables are ready to party. Bake ‘em, boil ‘em, steam ‘em, or mash ‘em! Or, if you prefer a good crunch, eat ‘em straight out of the ground (just be sure to wash them first!). Turnips are also a great addition to soups, stews, or salads.
We just love fresh fruits and veggies, don’t you? Check out our News and Resources section for more fall-inspired gardening tips.
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