It’s almost fall and you know what that means…pumpkin flavored everything! If you’re not a pumpkin fan though, fear not, a plentiful variety of fall produce are also in season.
Based on traditional Michigan crop harvest calendars, here are some of the best fruits and veggies to select in the fall:
- Apples – with varieties like Macintosh and Honeycrisp available as early as September, apples are great to get via picking or a trip to the cider mill!
- Cabbage – an effect called “frost kissing” helps cooler weather give cabbage a sweeter taste. Pick this veggie up from August through October in the mitten.
- Squash – gourds of all varieties are staples throughout the fall! Use them to enhance a salad or decorate your dinner table.
- Sweet potatoes– sweet potatoes, or yams, enhance many casserole dishes or are great baked with healthy toppings. Pick these up September into early November.
- Watermelons– although watermelon is a summer staple, they typically grow in Michigan from August through October. Check out your local farmers market for the most prime melons.
- Plums– another great fall fruit includes plums. About half of Michigan’s plums are harvested in early September so be on the lookout for them soon at farm stands and your local grocery store!
And though there are other options out there, the following produce is more typical to spring seasons. You can still find items at certain markets, but harvesting is rare and pickings tend to be less fresh. Stick to this produce in the spring and summer:
- Asparagus
- Blackberries
- Peas
- Rhubarb
- Cherries
- Strawberries
What are your favorite fall produce items? What kind of dishes do you like to make with them? Let us know in the comments below!
Check out these posts for more fall foods:
- Michigan October Bucket List: 10 Fun Ways to Enjoy Autumn
- Apple Cider Doughnuts Get a Health Makeover
- #WellnessWeds: 7 Fall Super Foods You Should Add to Your Diet
Photo credit: Pexels
Author: A Healthier Michigan
Our mission is to help everyone in Michigan get healthier from the inside out. This means everything from giving you resources to help you make better decisions about diet and exercise, as well as information on creating and sustaining nurturing communities and successful businesses — everything you need to help create a healthier Michigan.
Our mission is to help everyone in Michigan get healthier from the inside out. This means everything from giving you resources to help you make better decisions about diet and exercise, as well as information on creating and sustaining nurturing communities and successful businesses — everything you need to help create a healthier Michigan.