Food: 5 Versatile Autumn Vegetables
Fall is by far my favorite season! The colors are amazing and the cool weather is refreshing. One of the biggest reasons that fall is my favorite is the food. Seasonal food right now is rich and comforting. The flavors are spicy and savory. I know that going to the grocery store and seeing the abundance of gourds can be overwhelming so I wanted to share my top fall vegetables.
Pumpkin: We usually go to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin to carve and display at home but, cooked pumpkin actually taste delicious! I am not talking about the pumpkin that is in a can. Real pumpkin taste like a cross between a sweet potato and a summer squash. Pumpkin is very rich and savory and low on calories. Normally I cut my pumpkin into pieces use a peeler to remove the skin and roast in the oven on 375 covered with salt pepper and olive oil. Just like that you have a great side dish!
Butternut squash: This is BY FAR my favorite fall veggie. Butternut squash is delicious! From the moment you cut open into this gourd the smell is incredible. Do not be intimidated by the shape. I chop the squash into pieces, use a peeler to remove the skin and roast the squash with salt, pepper and olive oil. You can also add a few pieces to soup or make your own butternut squash soup base; the possibilities are endless.
Spaghetti squash: Spaghetti squash is another awesome gourd. The reason for the name is when you cook the squash the insides come apart like spaghetti. You can roast or boil this gourd. The hardest part is cutting it open (be very careful). Substitute this squash for spaghetti noodles and it will make your dinner a whole lot healthier.
Red cabbage: I have grown to love cabbage over the years. I am actually even growing some cabbage plants in my garden as well. Cabbage has a delicious flavor this time of year and is a great addition to your veggie arsenal. I will typically eat the cabbage raw in a salad or sautéed with some coconut oil and scallions.
Turnips: If you are up for a small challenge give this root vegetable a try! These can be tough to cut open; I use a sharp knife and a hammer. However, once you have the turnip chopped up it is delicious. I typically will chop my turnip, use a peeler to peal the skin and boil with a sage leaf. Turnips are a great addition to your fall dinner menu.
What are some of your favorite fall vegetables? What are some of you favorite fall recipes? Share your thoughts and comments below!