With such a great variety of fruits and vegetables available to us year-round, it can be easy to forget when our favorite fruits and veggies are actually in season. Why should we care about a food’s seasonality? Two reasons: taste and price. When produce is harvested in its optimal season, its flavor and quality is much better. In addition, when fruits or vegetables are in peak supply, their price will be much lower — which means more savings!
If you want to shave some dollars off your grocery bill without sacrificing quality and flavor, here are the fruits and vegetables to keep your eye on this fall.
Winter Squash
All varieties of winter squash, which includes butternut squash and the infamous pumpkin, are in season starting in September through the winter months. It’s no mystery why squash is the center of attention in so many fall recipes, like in these pumpkin spice latte mini cheesecakes.
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Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
This versatile vegetable is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. Unlike most vegetables, potatoes can be stored for up to 11 months in temperature-controlled environments, which is how we’re able to enjoy them year-round. Check out these tips on how to keep your produce fresher for longer to reduce food waste.
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Apples
Although certain supermarket apple varieties are available year-round, apple season is between August and early November. This is when you’ll see seasonal apples like the Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and more popping up at your local grocery store or farmer’s market for a limited time. To make the most out of apples this season, check out this easy apple pie recipe.
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Pears
Bartlett pears are the most common pear variety in North America and are available from August to December. Other pear varieties hit the market in September, making this an essential autumn fruit to add to your grocery list.
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Cranberries
Cranberries are in season and available from October to December, making them an essential ingredient in our favorite holiday dishes. Who can resist fresh, homemade cranberry sauce?
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Cabbage
Cabbage is harvested from fall to winter. The cooler the weather, the sweeter the cabbage will be, which makes it an excellent ingredient to include in your favorite soups and rolls to keep you warm.
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Broccoli and Cauliflower
Yes, these cruciferous vegetables have a season, and it’s between fall and spring. Not only will you see a price decrease on broccoli and cauliflower, but you’ll notice that they’ll taste sweeter as a result of being harvested in cooler months.
Find deals on broccoli and cauliflower.
Eggplant
Eggplant season starts in the late summer and continues through October, so get ready to make eggplant parmesan, Baba Ganoush, and more. Did you know that eggplants are actually berries, which makes them fruit?
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Greens
Unlike delicate summer lettuce, greens such as kale, collard greens, and chard will thrive in cooler months and are ideal for cooking. Although they’re available year-round, they’re sweeter when harvested in cooler weather, so stock up on these delicious veggies.
Find deals on kale and other greens.
Garlic
From Italian cuisine to Korean dishes, garlic is an essential seasoning that we just can’t live without! Garlic is freshest at the end of the summer through fall.
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Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are in season from September through November. During this time, you’ll likely start seeing fresh brussels sprouts on the stalk at your local grocery stores — they’re a sight to be had!
Find deals on brussels sprouts.
Ready to add these seasonal favorites to your fall dishes? Go to the Flipp app to find these and more ingredients on sale.
