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
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
Get the recipe: apple pie bars [3]
Traditional Apple Pie
Get the recipe: apple pie [4]
Cinnamon Apple Chips
Get the recipe: cinnamon apple chips [5]
Red Cabbage, Cranberry, and Apple Slaw
Get the recipe: red cabbage, cranberry, and apple slaw [6]
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
Get the recipe: broccoli soup [7]
Broccoli-Cheese Tater Tots
Get the recipe: broccoli tater tots [8]
Broccoli Salad With Puffed Grains and Ricotta
Get the recipe: charred broccoli salad [9]
The Fall Food: Butternut Squash
Winter squashes like butternut squash [10] are typically harvested October through December and are available as late as early April thanks to their hearty nature.
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Get the recipe: butternut squash soup [11]
Butternut Squash Ricotta Casserole
Get the recipe: butternut squash ricotta casserole [12]
Roasted Butternut Squash
Get the recipe: roasted butternut squash [13]
Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad [14]
The Fall Food: Chestnuts
As one might guess from their cultural ties to the holiday season, chestnuts [15] are typically available during blustery Fall and Winter months, roughly October through January.
Roasted Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing
Get the recipe: chestnut cornbread stuffing [16]
Chestnut and Mushroom Soup
Get the recipe: chestnut soup [17]
Oven-Roasted Chestnuts
Get the recipe: roasted chestnuts [18]
The Fall Food: Cranberries
Cranberry harvest typically runs from September through October, and they are available fresh through December.
Cranberry-Apple Baked Oatmeal
Get the recipe: cranberry-apple baked oatmeal [19]
Cran-Limoncello
Get the recipe: cran-limoncello [20]
Cranberry-Swirled Gingerbread Cake
Get the recipe: cranberry-swirled gingerbread cake [21]
Turkey Cranberry Wreath
Get the recipe: turkey cranberry wreath [22]
The Fall Food: Cucumbers
Cucumbers [23] are at their peak growing time from early Summer to mid-Fall (June through November).
Southeast Asian Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Get the recipe: tomato and cucumber salad [24]
Cucumber Raita
Get the recipe: cucumber raita [25]
Salt-Massaged Cucumber With Miso and Sesame
Get the recipe: sesame miso cucumber salad [26]
The Fall Food: Eggplant
Look for squat and sturdy globe eggplants [27] and slender Japanese varieties [28] from July through October.
Marinated Eggplant With Tahini and Oregano
Get the recipe: marinated eggplant [29]
Baked Eggs With Tomato, Cheese, and Fire-Roasted Eggplant
Get the recipe: Filipino baked eggs with eggplant [30]
Baba Ghanoush
Get the recipe: baba ghanoush [31]
The Fall Food: Fennel
Fennel [32] is available year-round, with its peak in the Fall months.
Fennel and Feta With Citrus and Sumac
Get the recipe: fennel, citrus, and feta salad [33]
Blood Orange, Fennel, and Avocado Salad With Lemon Citronette
Get the recipe: blood orange, fennel, and avocado salad [34]
Socca Pizza and Arugula Salad
Get the recipe: socca pizza and arugula salad [35]
The Fall Food: Figs
Figs [36] are typically at markets from mid-Summer to early October.
Roasted Figs
Get the recipe: roasted figs [37]
Fig Tart With Orange Blossom Custard
Get the recipe: fig tart [38]
Fig Panini With Almond Butter
Get the recipe: fig panini [39]
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 [40] 1:1.
Ginger Limeade Granita
Get the recipe: ginger limeade granita [41]
Ginger Sidecar
Get the recipe: ginger sidecar [42]
Fresh Ginger Tea
Get the recipe: ginger tea [43]
Candied Ginger
Get the recipe: candied ginger [44]
The Fall Food: Grapefruit
Zingy grapefruit [45] can be found at farmers markets from September through April.
End-of-Winter Fruit Salad
Get the recipe: fruit salad [46]
Salty B*tch Cocktail
Get the recipe: salty b*tch [47]
Avocado Citrus Salad
Get the recipe: avocado citrus salad [48]
The Fall Food: Kale
While kale [49] is generally available year-round, the peak of its season is in Fall and Winter.
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Kale Salad
Get the recipe: Flamin' Hot Cheetos kale salad [50]
Farmers Market Cantaloupe, Kale, and Ginger Smoothie
Get the recipe: cantaloupe, kale, and ginger smoothie [51]
Maple Bacon Kale Chips
Get the recipe: maple bacon kale chips [52]
Miso-Glazed Kale and Shiitakes With a Poached Egg
Get the recipe: miso-glazed kale [53]
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
Get the recipe: curried pumpkin soup [54]
Pumpkin Mojito
Get the recipe: pumpkin mojito [55]
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bar Cookies
Get the recipe: pumpkin cream cheese bar cookies [56]
Pumpkin Cake Pops
Get the recipe: pumpkin cake pops [57]
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
Get the recipe: raspberry coulis [58]
Greek Frozen Yogurt With Raspberry Swirl
Get the recipe: greek frozen yogurt with raspberry swirl [59]
Raspberry Ginger Lime Chia Jam
Get the recipe: raspberry ginger lime chia jam [60]
The Fall Food: Strawberries
Strawberries [61] 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
Get the recipe: strawberry shortcake [62]
Strawberry Margaritas
Get the recipe: strawberry margaritas [63]
7-Ingredient Strawberry Tart
Get the recipe: strawberry tart [64]
Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups
Get the recipe: strawberry french toast roll-ups [65]
The Fall Food: Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes [66] are typically available September through March, with their peak season ending in December.
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes With Onions
Get the recipe: caramelized sweet potatoes with onions [67]
Baked Kale and Sweet Potato Chips
Get the recipe: baked kale and sweet potato chips [68]
Sweet Potato Soup With Za'atar Oil
Get the recipe: sweet potato soup [69]
The Fall Food: Tomatoes
From rainbow-hued heirloom varietals [70] to juicy Early Girls [71] 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
Get the recipe: caprese salad skewers [72]
Roasted Tomatoes
Get the recipe: roasted tomatoes [73]
Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi
Get the recipe: spinach and ricotta gnudi [74]