Guest Post: Fall in Love with Food

• October 5th, 2010
• Posted in Health, Nutrition, Recipes
• 4 Comments

By Jillian Gile

Fall foods are the ultimate comfort foods. As summer winds to an end and we have to pull out our sweaters and scarves again, warming soups and fresh-baked goodies are just what we need to lift our spirits. So why not incorporate some fresh fall crops into our comfort foods?

My absolute favorite fall food is the pumpkin, and I’m not just talking pumpkin spice lattes. Every fall I make sure to make at least one batch of pumpkin bread. You can use fresh pumpkins that are overflowing out of produce bins this time of year, or if you’re not Susie Homemaker, you can use canned pumpkin. Here’s a great easy recipe. You can even spice things up a bit by adding chocolate chips or serving a slice with some whipped cream.

Another fall veggie is squash. Many different types of squashes are ripening up this time of year, so you can experiment with a variety to find your favorite. One great thing to try with squash is making curry soup. Any squash will do – summer, butternut, even pumpkin. The curry adds just the right amount of spice and brings a little depth to an often overlooked veggie – try the recipe here.

Fall is also a good time to try new fruit recipes. Grapes, pears, and the exotic quince are ripe this time of year, but it you’re not feeling adventurous you can experiment with apples, too. If you’re feeling extra crafty, try making your own cider – you can buy a cider press here, or make your own. Nothing beats the taste of fresh-pressed cider, and kids will love to see how their favorite juice is made.

You can also use fall foods for a new take on an old favorite. Sweet potatoes are a fall crop, and you can use them to make sweet potato fries, a snack that’s both sweet and savory; and by using sweet potatoes, you’re treating yourself to a healthier version of the classic French fry.

Jillian Gile is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer specializing in ultrasound tech careers for Guide to Healthcare Schools. She is also a budding foodie and lives in Washington State with a husband and dog, who are both willing to eat her cooking.

P.S. The winner of the Goji Giveaway is Kara! Congrats lady!!!