Thursday, March 22, 2012

Fall Harvest - Must Have Foods for Great Autumn Entrees


Around the end of August every year, stores begin to flood with flavors and scents that conjure visions of falling leaves, hay rides, and warm cozy evening spent with family and friends. Fall fruits and veggies are an excellent way to bring both health and great taste to your table. Whether you purchase products that are derived from these fall foods or you cook up a healthy fresh serving of them, they are sure to bring to bring the wealth of the season to your taste buds.



Apples: Apples are a great fruit to enjoy in a variety of ways. A fresh apple can be a great snack as can a slice of apple pie. Apples can even be used to give extra flavor to your favorite pork dish. Not only do they taste, great but they are also extremely beneficial to your health boasting high levels of vitamin C as well as antioxidants. Stay healthy and satisfied this fall by stocking up on a variety of different apples. When you purchase apples for cooking you may want to do a little research to find out which type of apple is best for cooking and which is best for just snacking on. For example, Red delicious apples are great for a snack but not so good for pies or baking. On the other hand the tenderness of a Golden delicious apple is great for baking and pies, but doesn't rank as the absolute best one to snack on.


Cranberry: Cranberries also are a great fruit to add to your table during the cooler months. These tart red berries will add zing to your meals. If your unable to find fresh cranberries or don't want to prepare them yourself, many gourmet food retailers will have an abundance of unique and delicious ways to incorporate cranberries into your meals. Besides the fact that cranberries and cranberry infused products taste great, they also have positive effects on your immune system and urinary tract health.


Mushroom: Many mushroom growing locations become prime during the cooler and often damper fall months; because of this now is a great time to add more fresh fungi to your diet. Start including mushrooms into your meals by topping steak of chicken with mushrooms sautéed in little olive oil and minced garlic. For those of you who are looking for vegetarian meals, a nice think portabella mushroom grilled or sautéed with your favorite seasonings can serve as the perfect substitute for a burger.


Squash: The mere mention of squash often conjures up visions of jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pies. While pumpkins carry their weight in palate pleasing properties, there are several types of squash that can add both color and great taste to your cold weather entrees. Try an acorn squash sliced in half and topped with brown sugar or honey and roasted in the oven for a sweet edition to your meal. The sweet pulp of a pumpkin can also be a great addition to cream soups or flavorful risottos. One of the greatest things about winter squash is their ability to do everything from garnish your table, to make dinners, and deserts. Make sure you take advantage of this multi faceted veggie in any form.




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