Here Are 7 Affordable Fruits And Vegetables To Add To Your Fall Shopping List

Fall’s Bounty: Seven Delicious and Budget-Friendly Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Fall is a picturesque season, especially in regions where the leaves undergo their colorful transformation, such as Vermont. It’s also an ideal time for culinary endeavors, thanks to the cooler weather that makes the kitchen a more inviting place.

With the arrival of autumn comes a wealth of delectable seasonal produce, perfect for adding warm and comforting flavors to your meals. Prioritizing seasonal fruits and vegetables ensures you get the freshest and most flavorful ingredients while staying budget-conscious. Here are seven delightful options to savor the essence of the season while keeping your budget in check:

1. Apples Apples, well-known for their health benefits, are rich in fiber, promoting satiety and aiding digestion. They also contain antioxidants that contribute to overall health and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. Cost-effective and versatile, apples are readily available at most grocery stores, and when stored correctly, they can last up to six weeks. Enjoy them as snacks or incorporate them into delectable recipes like Apple Pie-Inspired Overnight Oats and The Easiest Apple Tarts. You can even pick your own apples at a local orchard for a fun family outing.
2. Winter Squash Winter squash, encompassing a variety of shapes and flavors, including butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha, can serve as both a flavorful ingredient and a decorative centerpiece. These hearty vegetables have a long shelf life and are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Prepare them by slicing, seasoning, and roasting for a simple and delightful side dish, or explore creative recipes like Butternut Soup with Coconut Milk and Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
3. Dark Leafy Greens Dark leafy greens come in an array of sizes, textures, and flavors, making them a versatile and nutrient-rich choice. Varieties like kale, collards, bok choy, chard, and spinach offer an abundance of health benefits, from supporting brain health to strengthening bones. Incorporate dark leafy greens into various dishes, from soups and stews to smoothies and scrambled eggs, for an instant boost of nutrition and flavor. Many of these greens thrive in cooler temperatures, making them suitable for autumn gardening or sourcing from local farms.
4. Pears Pears, often overlooked as budget-friendly options, provide great value at approximately $1.50 per pound. High in fiber, with around 6 grams per medium fruit, pears support heart health, aid digestion, and combat cell-damaging free radicals. To preserve pears, allow them to ripen on the counter before transferring them to the fridge. Enjoy them in classic desserts like Rustic Pear Tart or incorporate them into savory dishes such as Arugula Salad with Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pears & Blue Cheese.
5. Cauliflower Cauliflower’s versatility has made it a kitchen favorite, whether as a rice alternative or a pizza crust. Roasting cauliflower with warm spices like paprika, cumin, and cayenne enhances its nutty and sweet flavor profile. This budget-friendly vegetable can be stored for about a week in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer and is a good source of folate and potassium.
6. Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts have experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to roasting methods that transform them into delightful, earthy, and crunchy morsels. Packed with nutrients, Brussels sprouts help reduce inflammation, improve bone health, and combat liver disease. They are known for their longevity in storage, lasting approximately a week in the fridge and several months in the freezer.

These seasonal fruits and vegetables offer a delectable and budget-conscious way to embrace the flavors of fall while enjoying the health benefits and culinary versatility they bring to your kitchen.