Oh my goodness…I love fall. I am one of the few people that doesn’t go crazy for pumpkin spice lattes as the season changes, but there are plenty of fall flavors that I look forward to and can’t wait to five into each year.
And everything just tastes better when it’s 70 degrees — cool but not cold — and there are scarecrows, pumpkins and bales of hay loaded with fresh fall produce everywhere you look!
If you’re like me, you want to get as much out of fall flavors as possible, but the trick is to find different ways to use each item.
I’ve listed some of my favorites below, and make sure you follow my Healthy Fall Favorites board on Pinterest for many more!
5 Ways to Eat your Favorite Fall Foods
Spaghetti Squash
I really enjoy the basic preparation of spaghetti squash. I cook it whole, which I find easier than trying to cut it in half beforehand and it turns out perfectly every single time. (And I often make my mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce to serve over it and sprinkle fresh basil on top.)
Another way to eat it:
Spaghetti squash works well in casserole form, like this recipe from Skinny Taste for Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese. Looks so comforting. Mmm.
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Potatoes
Try a mexi-stuffed baked potato! Bake it, then cut it open and layer it with black beans, diced avocado, romaine, salsa, sour cream and cilantro. It makes for a hearty vegetarian meal that is quick and easy too.
Another way to eat them:
For cooler days, try this Baked Potato Soup with Bacon, Green Onion and Cheddar from The Kitchn.
Apples
I love to use apples in sandwiches, especially paninis. Ever since I pulled my panini press out, I can’t stop. I layer thin sliced apples on sour dough with sharp cheddar and arugula. Press until melted and devour!
Another way to eat them:
Try applesauce in a crock pot. This recipe for Crockpot Applesauce from Young Wife’s Guide is so simple!
Or forget eating them and DRINK ‘em in homemade hard apple cider form from Midwestern Bite.
Broccoli
Roasting broccoli is so simple, yet so delicious. I cut it into florets, then toss them in olive oil. I spread it out on a tinfoil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Then I roast them in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees. David loves it like this too!
Another way to eat it:
My friend Katie makes a mean broccoli salad. Until I learn what goes in it, I’m bookmarking this Creamy Broccoli Salad from Our Lady of Second Helpings, which looks simple and delicious!
Grapefruit
How dull am I? I love it cut into wedges and served with my bagel and egg. Real fancy, right? (If you’re making homemade guacamole, squeeze a wedge or two of grapefruit into and let your mind be blown for what it does to the flavor!)
Other ways to eat it:
It’s the holiday-ish season right? That’s all the excuse I need to try making this Grapefruit Pound Cake. Yum.
What are some of your favorite fall foods?
Kelli says
I am cooking with spaghetti squash for the first time tonight! I’m glad I came across this post since I always thought you had to slice it in half to bake it, but now I will be leaving it whole. I am also making my own marinara sauce (another first!) to go with it.
I made a crockpot applesauce yesterday that turned out wonderful. I used pears in it as well (since they are also in season). Here is the link if you’d like to take a peak!
http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/09/crockpot-pear-ginger-applesauce-recipe/
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
That grapefruit pound cake looks really good! I have YET to try a spaghetti squash and I am running out of excuses 😉
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I’m not a huge fan of the PSL either. I always go for the Salted Caramel Mocha!
And thanks for all the links – I think that spaghetti squash casserole dish needs to be in my life soon!
Lindsey says
Love apples, and my favorite way to eat them is baked or homemade applesauce.
Sweet potatoes too, I like them mashed but typically end up having them in soups and chili.
And obviously pumpkin which I love to bake with or use in smoothies.
GiselleR says
Pumpkin!! I usually use it in cookies, muffins and oats. But I’ve been thinking of making pumpkin soup soon 😀
Also I’ve been dying to try spaghetti squash so thanks for the recipe 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Crockpot applesauce is the best! And I had no idea that you could bake a spaghetti squash whole. Thanks for sharing…the cutting part is the WORST…not to mention dangerous! 😉
Jen says
Thanks for the reminder. I NEED to make crockpot applesauce asap.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
I love fall foods. I have to pin this for easy reference to so many great fall recipes. And I too am a fan of spaghetti squash in its most basic state – as a pasta sub/mix in.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I’ve never seen someone bake a whole spaghetti squash. Do you poke holes in it or anything? You should do a blog post on that!
Brittany Dixon says
I do poke holes in it! It’s ridiculously easy. I linked to it in the post, but it’s also under my recipes tab under spaghetti squash. Try it next time!
Kelli H says
Thanks! Sorry, I don’t know how I missed that that was a link…
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Great tips! I have never actually cooked a spaghetti squash. At least, I don’t remember cooking one … if I have, it’s been a while! I would have never thought to cook it whole!
Marjorie says
I have grown to like spaghetti squash. I chose to look at it not as a pasta substitute but a pasta alternative. And when I do use it, I feel like I can be a little more “bad” with the topping than with traditional pasta. 🙂
Favorite fall foods: baked cinnamon apples, chili, baked fruit crisps, and pumpkin bread.
Chantal says
I love squash season!! And apple season…. I guess I just love this season. I think roasting broccoli is the best way to make it.
Abigail says
Thanks for putting together such a great list of recipes! That baked spaghetti squash and cheese is definitely making my meal plan next week. Great find 🙂
Karen says
YUM!! This post makes me HUNGRY…ha-ha. I totally repined the broccoli salad and will be making it next week for sure with that yummy looking soup. PERFECT for the fall weather that’s finally hitting us here in Chicago.
Rachel W says
Really, really want to try that Grapefruit Pound Cake!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Honeycrisp apples. Why I live for Fall.
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
I just made crockpot applesauce yesterday! =) It turned out really great (especially since we went apple picking and happened to come home with, oh, 35 pounds of apples). You don’t really need to add the lemon juice because your apples are going to turn brown anyway. I used a couple of tablespoons of apple cider instead of water, and just sprinkled cinnamon around. Be careful not to add too much sugar or you’ll get really, really sweet applesauce (because the apples have plenty of sugar in them already). I wasn’t happy with the texture when it was all finished, so I put it in a food processor until it was really thick and almost creamy. AMAZING!
Lauren B. says
I’ve made the Skinnytaste recipe a couple of times and it’s delicious! Even the hubby gave it couple thumbs up!
Rebecca says
I have Skinnytaste’s spaghetti squash recipe saved too! I’d definitely love to hear what you think about it when you make it!