Seasonal Fall Veggies: What Produce You Should Be Buying This Fall

October 20, 2020

Even though, we live in a world where we can eat strawberries year-round, doesn't mean that it's natural to be able to do so. All produce has a season, which is when crops are picked at their peak ripeness. Out of season produce, however, is harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to your local grocery store. Because we feel strongly in shopping seasonally and because we have entered a new season, we want to 1). explain why you'll get the most bang for your buck when you buy produce in season and 2). share a list of seasonal Fall vegetables, so that you know what to shop for at your local farmer's market of grocery store!

Buying Seasonal Produce Is Tastier

In-season produce is fresher, which makes it taste better. We bet you can taste the difference between a juicy tomato in August and a meaty tomato in January. In fact studies have shown that fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients when the produce ripens naturally on their parent plant. One study compared the vitamin C content in Broccoli during it's peak season in the Fall, versus when grown in the Spring, and concluded that the Fall Broccoli contained much higher levels of vitamin C. When crops are harvested out of season, their texture and flavor changes -- not to mention their nutritional density. Out of season produce isn't able to follow natural growing and ripening rhythms. Thus, to allow for certain fruits and vegetables to be available year-round, ripening agents are used, which include chemicals, gases, and heat processes. So, help your health and your tastebuds by eating with the seasons instead!

Seasonal Produce Is Cheaper

Seasonal produce means greater yields, which means the cost of production goes down. More work goes into producing fruits and vegetables in their "off season," which increases costs of production. This is the reason why a grapefruit in July is MUCH pricier than in winter during it's prime season. Put simply, shopping for seasonal produce will save you money. Who doesn't like that?!

Seasonal Produce Is Environmentally Friendly

An easy way to know what's in season is to shop locally! This is a win-win for local farmers and the environment. Think about it. Did that artichoke come from a local farm, another state, or even another country? Produce that comes from an airplane that traveled half the globe, is incredibly unsustainable for the well-being of the planet, not to mention it's expensive and nutrient depleted.

We all need to lower our carbon footprint and an easy to way to do so is to be conscious of the food we buy! So, support local farmers, eat seasonally, and do the planet some good.

Now You Know Before You Go

Now that you have been briefed about the importance of eating with the seasons, it' time to shop for some yummy seasonal produce! Below are just some of the many wonderful seasonal vegetables we hope you indulge in this Fall. Keep in mind that some of the items on this list may not be seasonal in the region you live.

Our Favorite Fall Vegetables A-Z:

Artichokes
Arugula
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Eggplant
Fennel
Green onions/scallions
Kale
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radicchio
Radishes
Rutabagas
Shallots
Sweet potatoes
Tomatillos
Turnips
Winter squash
Zucchini

Fall- In Love With Seasonal Produce

We hope that this blog is helpful for you as a consumer and a cook! Seasonal produce gets us excited here at Colorado Spice, as it means new opportunities to create delicious and nutritious recipes using our Seasoning Blends. Make your own recipe with your favorite seasonal Fall veggies and any Colorado Spice Seasoning Blend to enter our recipe contest! More information here.