Fall is that wonderful time of year when the leaves change to beautiful colors, we take the kids out to the pumpkin patch to choose pumpkins for carving, and head out to the orchard to fill buckets with apples. But, what do we do with all of the delicious fall produce we come home with so it doesn’t go to waste?
Here are five delicious fall foods and five ways you can incorporate them into your meal plan, because let’s face it, there are a lot of apples in those buckets and we can only eat so many fresh ones before the rest will begin to go bad.
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Apples:
Place a few in a lovely basket and put them on display in your kitchen or on your dining room table. These are the ones that the kids can take whenever they are looking for a healthy snack. How about a fun game of bobbing for apples to keep the kids entertained too. For the rest of them, take a look at these great ideas:
- Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids – add this to your Halloween meal plan.
- Apple Butter – you can stockpile this for yourself or give it to your family, friends, and neighbors as gifts.
- Sour Cream Apple Pie – it’s not fall without apple pie.
- Apple Peach Oatmeal Crunch – what a great way to start the day.
- Applesauce – applesauce is one of those truly versatile foods. You can use it as a substitute of oil when baking cakes, as a side for pork dishes, and just give it to the kids plain. It’s simple to make: You simply core and slice the apples (leaving the skin on). Add a little water to a pan and cook the apples on medium heat until they are going mushy – you will need to keep an eye on them and add more water if needed. Leaving the skin on red apples gives the apple sauce a pink tinge. While the apples are still simmering gently remove the skin and then use your potato masher to mash the apples. I add a little honey too before refrigerating it.
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Pumpkin:
You’ve carved a few pumpkins, you’ve put a few small ones on the table to decorate and more by the door. You may have even lined your stairwell with them. Here are a few fabulous ideas on how to incorporate them into your meal plan as well.
- Roast Pumpkin Seeds and Pumpkin Puree – why use the canned pumpkin puree when you can make your own. While you are making it, take a look at these 5 uses for pumpkin puree.
- Pumpkin Cupcakes – the perfect fall party treat.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake – perfect alternative for those who don’t like pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin Pie Latte – this is a recipe I will be using to make my favorite fall coffee
- Pumpkin Bread in a Can – whether you make this for your family or give it to loved ones, this is sure to be a hit.
Image Courtesy John P.
Sweet Potatoes:
Oh how I love sweet potatoes. My family though, not so much. I love sweet potato fries with my grilled vegetable paninis, I love slices of sweet potatoes on my pizza, and I love mashed sweet potatoes. Here are 5 other ways you can enjoy them:
- Candied Sweet Potatoes – anything candied is bound to be delicious
- Roasted Sweet Potato Salad – I never had thought to include sweet potato in salad, but I will be sure to now.
- Mini BBQ Beef Pies – These sound perfect for lunch with a salad, or as an appetizer when entertaining.
- Braised Pork Chops – add some sweet potatoes on the side and you have a delicious dinner to add to your meal plan
- Sweet Potato Cookies – I am imagining them served warm with a little ball of icecream perched on top for dessert.
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Cranberries:
Not only are cranberries delicious to eat, but they look beautiful displayed around the home too. Take a look at these fabulous cranberry decorating tips and then add some of these recipes to your meal plan too.
- Cranberry Caramelized Onion & Blue Cheese Dip – this sounds and looks delicious and perfect for entertaining.
- Cranberry Water – Fill jugs or beverage dispensers with water and pop some fresh cranberries inside. They’ll float on top and add some lovely color to your dining table.
- Overnight Oatmeal – add some cranberries and you have the perfect fall breakfast.
- Autumn Almond Bark – add dried cranberries to this fall treat. Bundle some up and give it to your neighbors.
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Figs:
- Cheese Platters – Figs are a delightful accompaniment to cheese platters.
- Figs, in many ways – They can be dried, canned, candied, frozen, eaten fresh, roasted, and turned into jam
- Fig Appetizer – Wrap figs in bacon or prosciutto and broil until crispy. Serve warm.
- Figs in lunches – add figs to salads or in sandwiches.
- Figs for dessert – layer figs over plain cheesecake or dip them in chocolate
So whether you are entertaining guests, or meal planning for your family, let’s enjoy that wonderful fall produce and not let any of it go to waste.
About Tonya Staab
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