Fall is such a beautiful, bountiful and colorful time of
year and for those of you who love Fall, it has officially arrived. The days are getting shorter, the air a bit
cooler, and the foods heartier. Local fruits
and vegetables are still available in abundance and we’re excited to share some
of our favorites with you.
Squash
Fall & Winter squashes (butternut, acorn, spaghetti,
pumpkin, etc.) are delicious in Fall cooking because their flavors are stronger
and sweeter than summer squashes.
They’re versatile and can be prepared in many different ways- roasted,
steamed, baked, sautéed and pureed.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower, a member of the cabbage family, is available
year round but becomes “in season” in the late Fall through Spring. Cauliflower is very nutritious so don’t let
the bland, white color fool you. It is low in fat and in carbohydrates and high
in dietary fiber, folate, and Vitamin C.
Cauliflower is delicious simply roasted with olive oil, salt, and
pepper, or steamed and mashed as a healthier alternative to potatoes. It’s also
great with Curry powder or, as the French prefer, Au Gratin.
Green Leafy Vegetables
We can’t say enough good things about greens! Green leafy
vegetables are especially nutritious because of their high Vitamin K content
and also their high water content, protein, fiber, calcium, folate, vitamin A,
and more. Kale, swiss chard, mustard
greens, spinach, collards, and turnip greens are some you might recognize. Greens
have been very “trendy” for quite some time now and we predict (and pray!) this
trend will last. It is best to buy your greens
- at least kale, collards and spinach - organic since these are part of
the Dirty Dozen. A tried and true favorite way to enjoy greens is Louise’s
easy, crunchy kale chips. You don’t even need a recipe!
Wash and Cut into
2”-3” pieces, dry, toss lightly with EVOO and salt and bake uncovered in a 325
oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
Apples & Pears
Both members of the “Pomes” family, apples and pears are now
readily available. They are delicious on their own, added to salads, and of
course baked in desserts. Apples and
pears will be available in grocery stores and farmers markets for the next few
months but for the absolute best tasting fruit, we suggest picking your
own. Not only is it fun but it’s also
the best and most affordable way to get the freshest fruit. Lucky for us, there are tons of places in
Connecticut to pick your own fruit. Check out http://www.pickyourown.org/CT.htm to find an
orchard or farm near you!
Just about all of the fall produce we mentioned is available
at the Bishop’s Corner Farmers Market. Many
of our prepared soups, salads, and baked items that we sell will include these
ingredients. Come visit us and the other
vendors every Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon until the end of October. In November
you can plan on Saturday mornings at the “Café Marketplace” at our New Britain
Avenue storefront location. We will continue with retail sales on Saturdays
from 9 a.m. – noon beginning November 1st.
Enjoy and Bon Appétit!
