Long summer evenings, days spent basking in the sun, and tasty BBQ food is not going to be with us for much longer. As September approaches rapidly, we need to get ready for a drop in temperature, dark evenings, and grey skies. However, it’s not all bad – use the following foods when cooking, to get the mood boosting, health promoting, energy creating goodness that you need to make it through the Fall.

You have your classics, the sweet potato and the parsnip. Interestingly, the sweet potato is not in fact a potato and the parsnip is not some sort of carrot in disguise. However, both vegetables go exquisitely with a roast meal and fried parsnip makes an excellent crispy snack. Both high in fibre and vitamin C, these foods will keep you healthy. We’re big fans!

In the same way that ‘a dog is not just for Christmas’, a pumpkin is not just for Halloween. Roast the seeds in a 200 °C oven for 45 minutes for a tasty protein rich snack, second only to peanuts. The actual ‘flesh’ of the pumpkin can also be used in pies, soups, and pumpkin bread. The veg’s orange colour is a blatant giveaway of its powerful healthy properties (check out one of our favourite recipes for pumpkin soup here)

Add a bit of zing to your fall with a good dosage of cranberries. Great in deserts, compotes, and chutneys, the distinct flavour of the fruit makes it a fresh addition to traditionally bland autumn cooking. The super food is known for its energy boosting content amongst other benefits!

Stay healthy this fall using these fantastic fruit and veg in the cooking you do. For more inspiration check out our dedicated 'fall food' gallery here.

Written by Sam Bradpiece