Here in South Carolina, fall vegetables are generally found beginning in September and last until Thanksgiving. During this time there is an abundance of tasty root vegetables, hard squashes, lush greens and even some sweet, crisp apples! Fall in the south is truly an experience like no other. From warm days and cool nights to pumpkin patches and pecan pie, it's no wonder that fall is everyones favorite!
Fall is also a great time to join a local CSA (community supported agriculture) where you can get an assorted selection of vegetables at a discounted price. For more information about a CSA or to find one near you, check out the information listed here.
So if you find yourself with an abundance of delicious fall veggies, then try out some of these recipes that are family favorites!
Borscht Stew
The origins of this stew are widely debated, but there is one thing that there is no debate about, this stew is a soul-warming, hearty feast filled with some of the best fall veggies. The sweetness of beets and carrots combined with the rich taste of beef and bone broth combine to create a dish unlike any other. Top with some fresh sour cream and dip with a crusty piece of sourdough and you will be in fall heaven! The best part about this dish, you can adjust it to fit your needs! Don't eat beef? Try a Vegetarian version, or if you are Dairy free, top with Kite Hill sour cream!
Harvest Salad
Looking for fall flavors that are not as hearty as a rich stew? Try a harvest salad, a large bowl filled with chopped greens, pumpkin seeds, crisp apples and a tangy dressing. Throw fresh pomegranate or dried cranberries for an extra pop of flavor. Follow a recipe like this, this or just combine the fall bounty in a bowl to your hearts desire!
Hearty Breakfast
When we think of hearty breakfasts, often vegetables aren't included in that thought. When we did a Whole30 the first time, we were cereal and sweet breakfast people. It challenged our original thoughts about breakfast foods and caused us to get out of our comfort zone! Now, we crave hearty breakfasts that are filled with colorful vegetables! If you are anything like we were, it can be hard to transition at first but this first breakfast casserole will have you changing your mind with the first bite. A butternut squash breakfast bake is equally sweet and savory! The rich sweetness of the butternut squash pairs perfectly with a salty pork sausage to create a warming fall dish.
Pumpkin Everything
Pumpkin lovers rejoice, it is that time of year again! And if you are not a fan of all things pumpkin, I wouldn't roll my eyes just yet. From a hearty pumpkin chili to savory pumpkin risotto there are so many ways to enjoy this versatile vegetable that does not involve lates and sweet treats. These large cucurbits may take a little time to prep ahead of time but the flavor of fresh pumpkin pails in comparison to it's cheaper canned version.
To make your own homemade pumpkin puree to substitute in your favorite recipes, simply wash the pumpkin and split in two. Remove the seeds and bake face down in a baking pan at 375 at 45 min or until tender. Let the pumpkins cool down and scoop out the insides into a food processor or high speed blender. Process until a nice puree forms and store excess in the freezer for later use.
Want to get crazy and use the whole pumpkin for your meal without turning into puree first? Try out the viral recipe from Ballerina Farm for Dinner in a Pumpkin. While they might have gone viral on TikTok, whole pumpkin dinners have been around forever! In fact, there is a famous Brazilian dish that merges the beautiful flavors of Camarao (shrimp) and Moranga (squash) in a stunning dinner experience! Try the Camarao na Moranga with some fresh SC seafood that also happens to be peak season during the fall!
Pumpkin and its other close relatives are such a versatile fall vegetable that they really deserve their own post full of delicious recipes! Be on the lookout for Beyond Pumpkin Spice coming soon to the blog!
Leafy Greens
During the cooler months, greens are in abundance and sometimes it can be easy to let all those farm fresh greens go bad like the placeholder spinach bag in everyone's fridge. There are so many great recipes that will use up your greens before any have the chance to go bad! Gumbo Z' Herbs is one of my absolute favorite hearty meals! Serve it over rice or a rice alternative for a warming meal. Many traditional recipes call for a minimum of 5 different greens, but always an odd number of greens for luck! While the original recipe calls for the greens to slow cook with smoked ham, I have made some delicious vegan versions of this recipe by adding beans and eliminating the ham and sausage. What I love about recipes like this is that you can tailor it to your dietary needs. Don't want the processed meats but still want to enjoy the heartiness of meat? Just use a homemade bone broth for a delicious flavor!
One memorable dish that will be a staple every fall for tailgates and other gatherings is Collard dip. Forget the boring spinach and artichoke and elevate your fall event with a creamy and tangy dish bursting with local flavor! I promise, every event this dish was served people have raved about how good it is and you will too!
Thankfully here in South Carolina we can enjoy fall weather for an extended time before the bitter cold creeps in. What recipes will you try?
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