
We have now passed the Autumn equinox and the days are noticeably shorter, that Autumn ‘nip’ is in the air and the leaves have begun to turn brown. Sunbathing in the garden, paddling pools and BBQs may all be just good memories now but there is a lot to enjoy in the Autumn garden and the variety the change in seasons brings.
Many of us still have a corner of the garden turned over to fruit or vegetables, some of the keener veg gardeners may be lucky enough to have a larger growing plot or an allotment but organic, ethically produced food has become important to many of us. Not only do fresh fruit and veggies play a vital role in following a healthy lifestyle, but many of us also try to eat more seasonal produce to support local growers and minimise the miles our food travels and that ever-important carbon footprint.
Some of the benefits are more well-known than others but by choosing seasonal produce you can give yourself a pat on the back for lots of reasons – here are our top 5!
From hearty roasts, stews and soups through to lighter salads and stir-fries through to delicious desserts, there is something on the list for every recipe, from old favourites to a few you may not have tried, you are bound to find a few you love in this list. Some of our Autumn favourites are:
Apple, Blackberries – perfect in a pie or crumble, or the old grow your own favourite Rhubarb
Apple, pear and plum – the fruit bowl favourites, why not try figs, damsons or elderberries?
Potato, Parsnip and Butternut – delicious and ready to roast, add some pumpkin or Jerusalem artichokes if you are feeling adventurous!
Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Swede – love them or hate them the brassicas are all about Autumn, mix it up with Turnip, Kohlrabi or Purple sprouting broccoli.
Yearning after the fresh taste of summer salads? Watercress, rocket, spinach leaves, beetroot, celery, radishes, and tomatoes are all still on the Autumn menu. Add a salute to summer BBQs with some griddled aubergine, fennel and courgettes.
Or, (dare we use the ‘C’ word this early?) if you are feeling prematurely Christmassy, pair those brussels with leeks, Chestnut stuffing, Cranberry sauce and break out the Figgy pudding!
This is just a sample of our favourites but we love GoodtoKnow’s seasonal food calendar here for recipes and other tips.
If the above has inspired you to try your hand at growing your own, now it the perfect time to plant pot-grown fruit, spring cabbages, onions and garlic. Worried when you will find time to tend to your crop? Why not ditch the fence painting and maintenance and get ready for a bumper harvest!
ColourFence is manufactured in the UK and guaranteed maintenance free for 25 years, book a free quote and site survey for your garden today.
Writing this blog made us so hungry, we are off to make our favourite Autumn soup from the British Nutrition Foundation website – it’s so simple even we have never messed it up and it’s healthy and yummy too!
Hearty Autumnal Soup (4-6 portions)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 finely chopped onions
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tsp ground cumin (or try a bay leaf for less spice or nutmeg if you prefer)
1 sliced stick of celery
1 chopped carrot
1kg peeled, chopped pumpkin or butternut squash
700ml vegetable stock
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