Seasonal Eating Means Better Taste, Better Health, Better Value For Families

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for fresh produce. Walk into just about any farm stand around here right now and you can tell fall has arrived. Apples, squash, pumpkins and plenty of colorful seasonal vegetables are making their debut.

Eating with the seasons is not only a great way to enjoy fresher, more flavorful food, it can also add plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to our meals. And when we buy locally grown produce, it often has less distance to travel before reaching our table.

Here are five of my favorite fall picks and some easy ways to enjoy them.

1. Apples
Apples bring natural sweetness along with fiber, especially when you eat the skin. Slice them into oatmeal or yogurt, toss them into a salad with walnuts, or bake them with cinnamon for an easy dessert. For something savory, sauté sliced apples and serve them alongside chicken or pork.

2. Butternut Squash
That beautiful orange color is a clue that butternut squash is rich in beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to vitamin A. Cube it, toss it with a little olive oil and roast until browned and tender. It is also delicious blended into soup, added to a grain bowl or mixed into pasta.

3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is not just for pie. It is another great source of beta-carotene and can work in both sweet and savory dishes. Add pumpkin puree to oatmeal, smoothies, pancakes or muffins, or use it to make a creamy pumpkin soup. Just be sure you are using plain pumpkin puree rather than sweetened pumpkin pie filling.

4. Brussels Sprouts
If Brussels sprouts have never been your favorite, roasting can completely change them. Cut them in half, toss with olive oil and roast until the edges get crispy. Add garlic, a sprinkle of Parmesan or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for extra flavor.

5. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes provide fiber, potassium and beta-carotene. Roast them in wedges, mash them with a little cinnamon, or cube them and add them to soups, chili or salads. A baked sweet potato can even become a meal topped with black beans, avocado or leftover chicken.

One of the easiest ways to make our meals healthier is simply to start with more whole foods, and fall gives us plenty of delicious choices. Stop by a local farm stand or check out the seasonal section at the grocery store and try something you have not cooked in a while.

Sometimes healthy eating really can be as simple as enjoying what is fresh, flavorful and in season.