What foods are you Falling for this Autumn?

Knowing what's in season in your area is a great way to learn more about food, know what might be on sale and get the freshest ingredients on your table. It is also a wonderful way to get new ideas for trying new foods. 

Try out this fall themed BINGO board to try new recipes this season. Print this board and as you complete a challenge mark off that BINGO square. See if you can get a BINGO by completing 5 in a row or fill the board this fall (Sept 1-Nov 30). 

Fun Facts to go with your BINGO!

As you decide what challenges you want to try out this season, check out the fun facts or tips to go with each one. The fall harvest plays a big role in many cultures as we get ready for winter and the end of the growing season. It is also a great time to connect with family, friends and your community; what better way to do that than over a delicious meal!

Fall Food Spotlight: 

1. Eat some dark leafy greens! Greens like kale, swiss chard and spinach are in season, add vibrant color to your food and have a ton of nutrients like vitamin A, B6, C and K.
2. Add cranberries to a dish. Cranberries can be added to a huge variety of both sweet and savory dishes. Some traditional pairings are with turkey, nuts or apple. 
3. Find a recipe that uses okra. Okra is one of the more unique vegetables you might see in the grocery store. It is a fiber filled treat and a fun addition to dishes like soups and stews. 
4. Add sweet potato to a salad. Roasted sweet potato salad with a maple glaze anyone? Sweet potato works great with both sweet and savory dishes and gets its beautiful color from beta-carotene (vitamin A). 
5. Try zesting an orange or lemon: You can get a lot of flavor from the citrus zest. Have you ever tried this cooking technique before? Just use a small grater or you can carefully cut off the zest with a sharp knife.
6. Bake some root vegetables. There are so many types of root veggies: potatoes, onion, garlic, beets and yuca are just a few. Toss some in the oven with your favorite oil and seasoning for a hearty side to enjoy throughout the week. 
7. Make a lentil dish. Lentils are great since they take much less time to cook from dry than other beans. Red and yellow lentils are soft and can be used to thicken dishes like stews. 
8. Put some maple syrup in/on something. Maple sugar producers collect sap when the days are warm and the nights are cold. Clear sweet sap drips out of the tap like a leaky faucet. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make just 1 gallon of maple syrup? 
9. Have a dish with Eggplant. Like the pumpkin, eggplants are a botanical berry with a lot of culinary potential. The outside has a beautiful purple color, while the inside is soft and great at absorbing flavors.
10. Look up ways to cook brussel sprouts. Some people get a negative view of brussel sprouts if they have only tried them one way. Roasting brussel sprouts is a great way to get a crispy outer layer. You can even use shredded brussel sprouts and add them to a salad mix!

Recipe: 

1. Use apple in something savory: Using fruits as veggies or veggies as fruit is a fun way to explore new flavors and cooking styles. Apples can make a fun crisp addition to grilled cheese, salads and pork dishes. The variety of apple you want depends on how you are using it so check the recipe before shopping. 
2. Make muffins or bread with a seasonal fruit or veggie: Pumpkin, butternut squash, potato, cranberries, sweet potato are all fun additions to breads and muffins. Which ones have you tried before?   
3. Put some seasonal fruit in your drink. Even as it starts to cool down outside, staying hydrated is important. Add some fruit to your water or tea to shake things up, Apple cinnamon tea is amazing! Or, for those of us with a sweet tooth, adding orange and spices to warm apple cider might be just the thing for a cozy night. 
4. Use nuts or seeds in a recipe. Nuts and seeds are great sources of healthy fats. Many also contain minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. 
5. Try a new potato recipe- or try a new variety of potato. While you may only be able to name a few types of potatoes, there are actually thousands of varieties. Look through your local produce section to see if they carry a variety that you haven’t tried yet. 
6. Find a traditional recipe from part of your heritage. Do you know where any of your ancestors came from? For me some highlights are Poland and Scotland. Make a recipe that has been passed down through your family or try a recipe traditional to that part of the world. 
7. Try a savory Pumpkin recipe. Many think of pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie when thinking about pumpkin recipes; they work great in savory dishes too. A few examples are pumpkin chili, ravioli and curry. 
8. Make your own spice blend. Creating your own spice blend is a fun activity that can feel like a craft (great for involving kids in the kitchen). Creating a custom spice blend can also make a great gift for any foodies on your list!
9. Eat a soup with seasonal veggies. Soup is a great way to get a wide variety of veggies in and can add some extra hydration and fiber to your day. Many water soluble vitamins leak out of the veggies into the broth during cooking so make sure to drink the broth too!
10. Make a hearty stew. Stew, like soups, are great for fiber and adding in some fun veggies. Potatoes and lentils can be a great addition to act as a thickener. 

Seasonal Experiences:

1. Go to a pumpkin patch or farmer’s market: Pumpkin patches and farm markets are a great way to get out and explore more parts of your area! Have you ever been to the Circleville Pumpkin Festival? The festival highlights all things pumpkin and showcases giant pumpkins that can weigh over 1000lbs!
2. Use edibles as decor. Many of us have tried making a Jack-Lantern! Gords, cinnamon and even colorful items like brussel sprouts and red onion can add a lot to your fall decor. Some farms will even take leftover produce used as decor after the season to feed animals. Check your area for how to dispose of your pumpkins after Halloween in a creative and eco-friendly way. 
3. Share a meal with friends or family. Fall is the start to the holiday season. Take some time to pause and share a meal with family or friends you don’t see often. You can even make the meal together for bonus points. 
4. Visit an apple orchard or farmer’s market. Apple orchards are a popular fall time activity for a reason. Check what apple varieties are in season. Typically different weekends are for different varieties, so plan ahead based on your preference.