Supermarkets and globalization have made the produce world simply amazing. No matter what season it is, you can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from Asia or South America to make whatever dish you fancy. That’s an amazing feat that wasn’t available even half a century ago.
But even while you can get off-season fruit and veggies, you might miss out on some of the best flavors: seasonal fruit from local growers and farmers in your area. When produce is in season, you’re free to let your taste buds do the cha-cha with every delectable bit. So, what’s in season this fall? Let’s find out.
Citrus Fruits
Although citrus fruits seem like a summertime delicacy, they’re actually at their ripest in the fall. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes all top the list of the best-tasting fruits when the leaves start to fall and the weather turns a bit chilly.
Plus, when these fruits are at their ripest, they not only pack a powerful punch of flavor but also provide a helping handful of vitamins. Each of these citrus fruits offers essential nutrients such as:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Thiamin
- Vitamin B6
- Copper
- Magnesium
So rather than take an expensive multivitamin every day, why not take a bite of something that’s a bit more delightful on the taste buds?
Try putting citrus fruits in some tasty fall dishes such as homemade marmalade, orange cranberry muffins, or just a simple glaze for pork or chicken. Your family will swear that you’ve been replaced by a famous chef, and it all comes with using the freshest produce you can find.
Kale and Arugula
Some might call kale and arugula the lettuce of the hipster world, but once you’ve had a fresh helping of one of these leafy greens, you might just convince yourself to put on a pair of thick-rimmed glasses and crank up the Wilco to maximum volume.
Both kale and arugula also come with a number of nutritional benefits, including:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iron
Although some may find the taste of kale or arugula bitter, you can cut this taste by simply soaking the leaves in lemon juice and coconut oil for 30 minutes to an hour. Once they’re done marinating, use them in salads or sautee them to go with chicken, beef, or pork. They’re both so versatile that you can use them in just about anything.
Bell Peppers, Pumpkins, Squash, and Zucchini
It should probably come as no coincidence that pumpkins, squash, and zucchini make their most drastic appearance of the year during fall. It’s because they’re in season! While often used to decorate the home, don’t overlook the delicious and nutritious aspects of the Cucurbitaceae family (fancy scientific talk for gourd-like veggies).
Each of these comes chocked full of vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Copper
- Protein
- Manganese
- Riboflavin
Dice these veggies up and boil or sauté them to make a mouthwatering addition to any meal or simply make them into a healthy soup that provides a warming, comforting effect when the temperatures start to drop.
Go Fresh This Fall
The amazingly fresh taste of produce cannot be understated, but maybe you just need to taste the difference for yourself. When you’re shopping look for the DLJ Produce label at your local grocer’s. We supply fresh fruits and vegetables nationwide, harvested in season from growers. Let us know what you think when you try our produce, You just might be surprised what you’ve been missing out on.
