Fall favorite activity of ours: Heading to the local farmer’s market, stocking up on tons of in-season produce, and creating some yummy and healthy fall-inspired recipes to enjoy at home!
If you need a little inspiration in your kitchen this autumn, check out a few tasty desserts and snacks that use delicious and local fruit prime for the harvest.
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Easy & Healthy Fall-Inspired Recipes Using In-Season Fall Fruits
Fruit and Cheese Plate
Low carb, high fat, and elegantly simple? Yes, please! A fruit and cheese plate is a classic appetizer to put out for your guests. It’s also great to enjoy on your own as you curl up on the couch with a book and a glass of water or wine (warm snuggly socks optional—but a great idea, to be honest).
To truly honor the autumn season, consider finding some local cheeses (the folks over at the Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival can offer some guidance) and pairing them with grapes and cantaloupe. Add a few handfuls of nuts and a few slices of prosciutto, hard salami, or pancetta, and you’ve got yourself a dish for the ages—or at least for a quiet evening in.
Pear and Endive Salad
This pear and endive recipe from the Barefoot Contessa is light and flavorful. With only a few fresh ingredients, it’s also super easy to make and rich in nutrients and vitamins. Don’t love blue cheese? Sub in with goat cheese, mozzarella, feta, something else, or nothing else if you’re going dairy-free.
Caramel Apple Pie Cookie Bars
These apple pie bars from PaleOMG turn the classic Thanksgiving dessert into a portable and delectable treat. One recipe yields about 10 bars, and it’s easy to double if you’re headed to an autumn get-together with lots of hungry people.
Apple Cider Donuts From Civilized Caveman
Okay, okay. We know there isn’t actually any fruit in this one. But we wanted to include at least one delicious treat that’s super traditional for the fall season!
This apple cider donut recipe is Paleo-friendly and a healthier version than what your local grocery store has to offer. They’re the perfect decadence to snack on after a long day of apple picking or wandering around the pumpkin patch. Enjoy with a glass of warm apple cider or coffee!
Pears, grapes, apples, cantaloupe, and many other veggies and fruits are in-season September-November. Check out this list for a handy reference, and find your local farmer’s market for some tasty fun!
