This time of year is wonderful for coming up with unique fall recipes that are packed with flavor and nutrients. Moreover, the cooling weather aligns very well with the types of veggies typically harvested in the fall. After all, you might not have much of a craving for watermelon on a crisp cool evening. However, the sound of a rich squash dish might make your mouth water.
This time of year produces some fantastic superfoods that can be worked into unique fall recipes you’ll love to prepare and your family will love to eat. Fall makes it easy to buy a selection of highly nutritious foods at a highly affordable price. Roasting them, pan frying them in a touch of healthy oil or tossing them into the slow cooker are easy ways to enjoy antioxidants, other flavonoids, vitamins and minerals in abundance.
The following are some of the top ingredients you can include in unique fall recipes. They’re easy to find, easy to use in the kitchen and delicious to taste.
Apples
They’re filled with antioxidants, they provide 4 grams of fiber per serving, they contain flavonoids (if you eat the skin) and are perfect for sweet and savory dishes or on their own as a healthy snack.
Parsnips
These sweet, nearly nutty root veggies are high in fiber and potassium. Beautiful for adding flavor to potatoes and rice or pureed into sauces and soups. Try them roasted in olive oil on a baking sheet for something everyone will love.
Brussels sprouts
When cooked properly, these are mild and deliciously bitter. They pair very well with balsamic vinegar. Cook them halved in a pan with a splash of orange juice for a veggie even kids will want to eat. They’re very high in vitamin K, iron and folate.
Cauliflower
A surprisingly nutty and sweet veggie that pairs well with winter dishes. Research has shown it contains cancer preventing compounds as well as cholesterol-reducing phytonutrients. Delicious steamed, it can also be pureed to make a dairy-free cream soup.
Squash
Winter squash is different from the summer variety. This type is sweet with a fine texture. It is fantastic for keeping a veggie in the house because it takes a long time to spoil. It pairs perfectly with other fall flavors such as nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. This is a fantastic source of vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.
Take some time to get to know these flavors and experiment with them to come up with some uniquely delicious dishes.