Seasonal Foods – Autumn

Seasonal Foods – Autumn

As we come into the beautiful season of Autumn here in the UK and Ireland, not only do the colours of the leaves change and the air becomes cooler, but an array of new fruits and vegetables start to grow. This gives us the opportunity to eat seasonal foods.

In recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on trying to eat sustainably in order to ease the pressure that the food system can place on the environment. Two ways to do so are to  include more fruits and vegetables in your diet, and to ensure that they are in season. Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of our diet because they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. They also tend to have a lower environmental impact than animal-based foods.

Eating seasonal produce, that has been grown locally, can reduce the number of air miles, packaging, the use of pesticides, and help support the local economy.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables differ from country to country, so it is important to become familiar with what’s in season where you live. While availability of seasonal foods can vary annually depending on weather conditions. Some of the common fruits and vegetables found in the UK and Ireland during Autumn are:

• Root vegetables such as: carrots, beetroots, parsnips, swede and potato
• Pumpkins and squashes such as: butternut squash, courgette and several varieties of pumpkin
• Greens such as: cabbage, kale, watercress, celery and leeks
• Fruits such as: apples, plums and blackberries

Recipes

The majority of these fruits and vegetables can be used to create some classic heart-warming recipes such as soups, stews or pies that are perfect during the cooler autumnal months. Here are some of our favourite recipes that showcase some delicious autumnal vegetables and fruits.

• Rice salad with roasted courgette, pine nuts and mint
• Butternut squash, ginger and coconut laksa with prawn, chicken or tofu
• Trifle with blackberries

How to eat seasonally

Farmers markets are both a fun family day out and a great way to find and buy locally grown seasonal produce. Seeing such a vast array of foods on offer can also encourage you and your family to eat a wider variety of fruits and vegetables.

Another great tip is to look out for falling produce prices in the supermarket, this could be an indication that it is coming into season.

Next time you go food shopping try to look out for these fruits and vegetables and give seasonal eating a go. Not only is it better for the environment and local economy but it could also help you increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables – and who doesn’t want that?

See more of our delicious recipes here

The post Seasonal Foods – Autumn appeared first on Love Your Gut.

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By: Catherine Hogan
Title: Seasonal Foods – Autumn
Sourced From: loveyourgut.com/all-entries/eat-seasonal-foods/
Published Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2021 12:50:58 +0000