October seasonal produce and recipes! A guide to what’s in season in October plus vegetarian October recipes.
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Happy October, Rhubarbarians! It's as fall as fall can be this month. All the changing leaves, the crisp and foggy mornings, Halloween, and of course, the October seasonal produce!
Did you try all of the September recipes? Or are you looking forward to November recipes?
The farmers markets are still stocked with the last of the harvest produce. I hope you are getting out and enjoying them (as safely as possible at least)! It won't be long before this harvest season is over, so let's make the most of it.
We are ready for the coziness of October and all the fun fall activities to begin. Our favorite time of year!
Check out our vegetarian fall recipes guide for recipes to try each week of fall!
Jump to:
- What produce is in season in October?
- Apple
- Apple recipes
- Cauliflower
- Cauliflower recipes
- Cranberry
- Cranberry recipes
- Grape
- Grape recipes
- Kale
- Kale recipes
- Mushroom
- Mushroom recipes
- Pear
- Pear recipes
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin recipes
- Butternut squash
- Butternut squash recipes
- Delicata squash
- Delicata squash recipes
What produce is in season in October?
So many seasonal recipes to make in October! Some of your farmers markets might closing, but there is still so much fresh produce to enjoy this month. For this list we are going to focus on apples, cauliflower, cranberries, grapes, kale, mushrooms, pears, pumpkin, butternut squash, and delicata squash.
Fruits:
- Apple
- Cranberry
- Grape
- Pear
Vegetables:
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Mushroom
Squash:
- Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
- Delicata squash
What to cook in October? Enjoy all the squash your heart desires. Plus apples, pears, and cruciferous veggies.
Apple
Apples are fruits that are in season from August to November. They are fantastic eaten raw, but are the quintessential flavor of fall in the Pacific Northwest when cooked. Apple pie anyone?
Apple recipes
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an edible flower (wow!) that is in season from July to November. Cauliflower is loaded with so many nutrients without a high carbohydrate count, that is has been modernly termed "cauliPower." The mild taste and texture make it incredibly versatile both raw and cooked. Fun fact: Mark Twain once described cauliflower as "cabbage with a college education." ?
Cauliflower recipes
Cranberry
Cranberries are fruits that are in season from September to November. Raw cranberries are very tart and are rarely eaten raw as a snack. But, when cooked they become a bit sweeter and are one of the quintessential fruits of fall here in America. You HAVE to have cranberries on your Thanksgiving table, right?
Cranberry recipes
Grape
Grapes are fruits that are in season from August to October. Fresh grapes are wonderful eaten out of hand, but are used for so many things! Sweet desserts, juices, wines, dried to make raisins, or added to savory dishes for a little sweet crunch.
Grape recipes
Kale
Kale is a leafy vegetable that is in season from October to April. It's a rough and hearty green that is usually eaten by removing the rib or stem and eating the leaves, although the stem is actually edible. Kale is enjoyed raw or cooked and has been modernly labeled a "superfood."
Kale recipes
Mushroom
A mushroom is any edible fungus (whoa!). They are in season here in the Pacific Northwest during the rainy seasons, so spring and then again in the fall. Mushrooms are packed with earthy, umami flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. They're distinct flavor makes them perfect for adding to vegan or vegetarian dishes that may lack that "meaty" flavor, and some mushrooms even resemble the texture of shredded meat. How cool is that?
Mushroom recipes
Pear
Pears are fruits that are in season from August to November. Pears are wonderful eaten raw on their own, but are similar to apples in the sense that they pair well with an endless number of flavors and are fantastic when cooked.
Pear recipes
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are fruits (yep!) that are in season from September to January. You may be imagining a jack-o-lantern or maybe a pumpkin spice latte, but there are many varieties of delicious pumpkins! For most varieties, the inner flesh and the seeds are edible and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.
Pumpkin recipes
Butternut squash
Butternut squash is a fruit (yep!) that is in season from September to December. It's very similar to a pumpkin, but has more of a bell shape and thinner, paler, skin. This winter squash is most commonly eaten when cooked and has a very sweet, squash flavor.
Learn more about butternut squash
Butternut squash recipes
Delicata squash
Delicata squash is a fruit (yep!) that's in season from September to November. Although it's considered a winter squash, it's actually a summer squash that is harvested in early fall. The pin striped skin is pleasantly edible, making delicata a favorite squash to cook with!
Learn more about delicata squash
Delicata squash recipes
More monthly produce guides to check out:
That’s a wrap! Hope you enjoy all that great October seasonal produce.
If you make any of these recipes, please let me know on social media or in the comments below! Leave a star rating in your comment or tag me on Instagram with #Rhubarbarians.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting Rhubarbarians and the brands that I recommend. If you’re looking for a group of people cooking vegetarian recipes through the seasons, join us on Facebook in our vegetarian and vegan recipes group!
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