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

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.

Get the recipe: apple pie bars

Get the recipe: apple pie

Get the recipe: cinnamon apple chips

Get the recipe: red cabbage, cranberry, and apple slaw

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

Get the recipe: broccoli soup

Get the recipe: broccoli tater tots

Get the recipe: charred broccoli salad

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

Get the recipe: butternut squash soup

Get the recipe: butternut squash ricotta casserole

Get the recipe: roasted butternut squash

Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad

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.

Get the recipe: chestnut cornbread stuffing

Get the recipe: chestnut soup

Get the recipe: roasted chestnuts

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

Get the recipe: cranberry-apple baked oatmeal

Get the recipe: cran-limoncello

Get the recipe: cranberry-swirled gingerbread cake

Get the recipe: turkey cranberry wreath

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

Get the recipe: tomato and cucumber salad

Get the recipe: cucumber raita

Get the recipe: sesame miso cucumber salad

Look for squat and sturdy globe eggplants and slender Japanese varieties from July through October.

Get the recipe: marinated eggplant

Get the recipe: Filipino baked eggs with eggplant

Get the recipe: baba ghanoush

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

Get the recipe: fennel, citrus, and feta salad

Get the recipe: blood orange, fennel, and avocado salad

Get the recipe: socca pizza and arugula salad

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

Get the recipe: roasted figs

Get the recipe: fig tart

Get the recipe: fig panini

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.

Get the recipe: ginger limeade granita

Get the recipe: ginger sidecar

Get the recipe: ginger tea

Get the recipe: candied ginger

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

Get the recipe: fruit salad

Get the recipe: salty b*tch

Get the recipe: avocado citrus salad

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

Get the recipe: Flamin' Hot Cheetos kale salad

Get the recipe: cantaloupe, kale, and ginger smoothie

Get the recipe: maple bacon kale chips

Get the recipe: miso-glazed kale

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

Get the recipe: curried pumpkin soup

Get the recipe: pumpkin mojito

Get the recipe: pumpkin cream cheese bar cookies

Get the recipe: pumpkin cake pops

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

Get the recipe: raspberry coulis

Get the recipe: greek frozen yogurt with raspberry swirl

Get the recipe: raspberry ginger lime chia jam

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.

Get the recipe: strawberry shortcake

Get the recipe: strawberry margaritas

Get the recipe: strawberry tart

Get the recipe: strawberry french toast roll-ups

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

Get the recipe: caramelized sweet potatoes with onions

Get the recipe: baked kale and sweet potato chips

Get the recipe: sweet potato soup

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.

Get the recipe: caprese salad skewers

Get the recipe: roasted tomatoes

Get the recipe: spinach and ricotta gnudi