A Seasonal Eater's Guide to Fall Produce and What to Cook With It

POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

Cool breezes whip through the air, and the nights may be getting shorter, but we're all for it, as this time of year is arguably the best time to eat. Why, you ask? Because Fall is synonymous with harvest season, a magical time when tomatoes, pears, butternut squash, and blackberries — not to mention many other favorites — are at their finest. Keep reading for an overview of when to expect these autumnal delights as well as recommended recipes for each item.

— Additional reporting by Nicole Perry

01
The Fall Food: Apples
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio

The Fall Food: Apples

Apple harvest season runs from August through November with some varietals like Gravensteins coming to markets as early as the end of July. The rest of the year, these fruits are available thanks to cold storage.

Apple Pie Bars
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Apple Pie Bars

Get the recipe: apple pie bars

Traditional Apple Pie
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Traditional Apple Pie

Get the recipe: apple pie

Cinnamon Apple Chips
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Cinnamon Apple Chips

Get the recipe: cinnamon apple chips

Red Cabbage, Cranberry, and Apple Slaw
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Red Cabbage, Cranberry, and Apple Slaw

02
The Fall Food: Broccoli
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

The Fall Food: Broccoli

Broccoli is available year-round but is at its peak during the chilly Fall and Winter months.

Creamy, Garlicky Broccoli Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Creamy, Garlicky Broccoli Soup

Get the recipe: broccoli soup

Broccoli-Cheese Tater Tots
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Broccoli-Cheese Tater Tots

Get the recipe: broccoli tater tots

Broccoli Salad With Puffed Grains and Ricotta
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Broccoli Salad With Puffed Grains and Ricotta

Get the recipe: charred broccoli salad

03
The Fall Food: Butternut Squash
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

The Fall Food: Butternut Squash

Winter squashes like butternut squash are typically harvested October through December and are available as late as early April thanks to their hearty nature.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Get the recipe: butternut squash soup

Butternut Squash Ricotta Casserole
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Butternut Squash Ricotta Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasted Butternut Squash

Get the recipe: roasted butternut squash

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad

04
The Fall Food: Chestnuts
Getty | Anjelika Gretskaia

The Fall Food: Chestnuts

As one might guess from their cultural ties to the holiday season, chestnuts are typically available during blustery Fall and Winter months, roughly October through January.

Roasted Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasted Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing

Chestnut and Mushroom Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Chestnut and Mushroom Soup

Get the recipe: chestnut soup

Oven-Roasted Chestnuts
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Oven-Roasted Chestnuts

Get the recipe: roasted chestnuts

05
The Fall Food: Cranberries
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

The Fall Food: Cranberries

Cranberry harvest typically runs from September through October, and they are available fresh through December.

Cranberry-Apple Baked Oatmeal
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cranberry-Apple Baked Oatmeal

Cran-Limoncello
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cran-Limoncello

Get the recipe: cran-limoncello

Cranberry-Swirled Gingerbread Cake
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cranberry-Swirled Gingerbread Cake

Turkey Cranberry Wreath
POPSUGAR Photography

Turkey Cranberry Wreath

Get the recipe: turkey cranberry wreath

06
The Fall Food: Cucumbers
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

The Fall Food: Cucumbers

Cucumbers are at their peak growing time from early Summer to mid-Fall (June through November).

Southeast Asian Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Southeast Asian Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Raita
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cucumber Raita

Get the recipe: cucumber raita

Salt-Massaged Cucumber With Miso and Sesame
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Salt-Massaged Cucumber With Miso and Sesame

Marinated Eggplant With Tahini and Oregano
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Marinated Eggplant With Tahini and Oregano

Get the recipe: marinated eggplant

Baked Eggs With Tomato, Cheese, and Fire-Roasted Eggplant
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Baked Eggs With Tomato, Cheese, and Fire-Roasted Eggplant

Baba Ghanoush
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Baba Ghanoush

Get the recipe: baba ghanoush

08
The Fall Food: Fennel
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

The Fall Food: Fennel

Fennel is available year-round, with its peak in the Fall months.

Fennel and Feta With Citrus and Sumac
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Fennel and Feta With Citrus and Sumac

Blood Orange, Fennel, and Avocado Salad With Lemon Citronette
Cookie + Kate

Blood Orange, Fennel, and Avocado Salad With Lemon Citronette

Socca Pizza and Arugula Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio

Socca Pizza and Arugula Salad

09
The Fall Food: Figs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

The Fall Food: Figs

Figs are typically at markets from mid-Summer to early October.

Roasted Figs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasted Figs

Get the recipe: roasted figs

Fig Tart With Orange Blossom Custard
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Fig Tart With Orange Blossom Custard

Get the recipe: fig tart

Fig Panini With Almond Butter
POPSUGAR Photography

Fig Panini With Almond Butter

Get the recipe: fig panini

10
The Fall Food: Ginger
POPSUGAR Photography | Alicia Lu

The Fall Food: Ginger

Ginger's harvest season runs August through November, and it is available through cold storage all the way into February. During the rest of the year, try substituting ginger juice 1:1.

Ginger Limeade Granita
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Ginger Limeade Granita

Get the recipe: ginger limeade granita

Ginger Sidecar
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Ginger Sidecar

Get the recipe: ginger sidecar

Fresh Ginger Tea
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Fresh Ginger Tea

Get the recipe: ginger tea

Candied Ginger
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Candied Ginger

Get the recipe: candied ginger

11
The Fall Food: Grapefruit
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

The Fall Food: Grapefruit

Zingy grapefruit can be found at farmers markets from September through April.

End-of-Winter Fruit Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

End-of-Winter Fruit Salad

Get the recipe: fruit salad

Salty B*tch Cocktail
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Salty B*tch Cocktail

Get the recipe: salty b*tch

Avocado Citrus Salad
How Sweet Eats

Avocado Citrus Salad

Get the recipe: avocado citrus salad

12
The Fall Food: Kale
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

The Fall Food: Kale

While kale is generally available year-round, the peak of its season is in Fall and Winter.

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Kale Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Kale Salad

Farmers Market Cantaloupe, Kale, and Ginger Smoothie
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Farmers Market Cantaloupe, Kale, and Ginger Smoothie

Maple Bacon Kale Chips
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Maple Bacon Kale Chips

Get the recipe: maple bacon kale chips

Miso-Glazed Kale and Shiitakes With a Poached Egg
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Miso-Glazed Kale and Shiitakes With a Poached Egg

Get the recipe: miso-glazed kale

13
The Fall Food: Pumpkins
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

The Fall Food: Pumpkins

Pumpkins are available as early as late September and as late as early April, with their peak falling in the Fall and Winter months.

Curried Pumpkin Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Get the recipe: curried pumpkin soup

Pumpkin Mojito
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Mojito

Get the recipe: pumpkin mojito

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bar Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bar Cookies

Pumpkin Cake Pops
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pumpkin Cake Pops

Get the recipe: pumpkin cake pops

14
The Fall Food: Raspberries
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

The Fall Food: Raspberries

Although their peak is in Summer months, raspberries have, thankfully, a long season that runs from May through early November.

Raspberry Coulis
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Raspberry Coulis

Get the recipe: raspberry coulis

Greek Frozen Yogurt With Raspberry Swirl
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Greek Frozen Yogurt With Raspberry Swirl

Raspberry Ginger Lime Chia Jam
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Raspberry Ginger Lime Chia Jam

15
The Fall Food: Strawberries
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

The Fall Food: Strawberries

Strawberries are at their sweetest from April to July, though they are available at farmers markets as early as March and as late as October.

Strawberry Shortcake
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Strawberry Shortcake

Get the recipe: strawberry shortcake

Strawberry Margaritas
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Strawberry Margaritas

Get the recipe: strawberry margaritas

7-Ingredient Strawberry Tart
POPSUGAR Photography

7-Ingredient Strawberry Tart

Get the recipe: strawberry tart

Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups

16
The Fall Food: Sweet Potatoes
POPSUGAR Photography | Cera Hensley

The Fall Food: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are typically available September through March, with their peak season ending in December.

Caramelized Sweet Potatoes With Onions
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Caramelized Sweet Potatoes With Onions

Baked Kale and Sweet Potato Chips
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Baked Kale and Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Soup With Za'atar Oil
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Sweet Potato Soup With Za'atar Oil

Get the recipe: sweet potato soup

17
The Fall Food: Tomatoes
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

The Fall Food: Tomatoes

From rainbow-hued heirloom varietals to juicy Early Girls to the tiniest grape and cherry versions, tomato season is surprisingly long. Smaller varieties can come to harvest as early as April (but more typically around June) and last till November; larger tomatoes are available through the peak Summer and mid-Fall months.

Caprese Salad Skewers
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Caprese Salad Skewers

Get the recipe: caprese salad skewers

Roasted Tomatoes
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasted Tomatoes

Get the recipe: roasted tomatoes

Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi