Hello September! I am doing a Happy Hungry Goddess dance here and trying to resist the urge to jump right into pumpkins!
September is a beautiful month; we have the benefits of still-summer weather with cooler nights and an easy transition to true pumpkin season. A key to finding foods that love you back is to take advantage of the Super Foods power that comes with seasonal eating. Seasonal foods have all the vitamins and nutrients to support our bodies and the flavors are swoon-worthy. It’s also my birthday month so I am planning a birthday feast for the end of the month!
Sync into Autumn, celebrate the last days of summer, and incorporate the season into your cooking!
I picked some of my favorite September Seasonal Foods for this month … Happy almost FALL!
Apples (through October) – ’tis the apple picking season! By the end of September, local apple crops are done, so get the best of the apple crisp this month!
Apple Compote Recipe
Fennel and Apple Gratin
Green Apple and Fig Melt Hors d’oeuvres from Sara, the Home Cooking Goddess
Fennel, Celery, and Apple Slaw
Blackberries (ends early September) – the early Fall harvest of blackberries should be happening in your area. Pick-your-own are popular this month and a great way to preserve them for winter.
Grilled Endive Salad with Berries, Blue Cheese, and Bacon (Endive season is also Fall!)
Fennel, Blackberries, and Orange Salad
Broccoli Rabe (through November) – check out this amazing Super Food that is perfect to incorporate into many Italian-influenced recipes and can usually be found in Italian Markets or Whole Foods! My favorite? –> Philly Style Slow-Roasted Pork Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe and Provolone
Brussels Sprouts (through November) – September marks the beginning season of one of my fave veggies: Brussels!
Tips to Dress Up Your Brussels Sprouts
Pork Loin with Naked Brussels Sprouts
Buttery Cod with Roasted Radishes and Brussel Sprouts with Quinoa Recipe
Gnocchi and Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Cantaloupes (ends September) – juice-dripping-down-your-chin-amazing-snack-and-breakfast-food melon! September ends cantaloupe season so pick some melons that have all the summer sun that you can eat! You can swap cantaloupe for honeydew in this delish recipe from Chef Alex!
Celeriac and Celery Root (through November) – I have yet to do a recipe that highlights the interesting flavors of celeriac/celery root, BUT I have been eyeballing this recipe from Rene Redzepi for a bit – Pot Roasted Celery Root with Olives and Buttermilk. Looks like a good way to celebrate the season to me!
Curly Kale (through November) – Kale may have been the new “it” food for a few years, but I really, really love it, especially curly kale. If there is only one seasonal kale recipe that you need to try, then it is my Best Kale Chopped Salad with Pomegranates and Roasted Delicata Squash – the key ingredient is Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acids (Amazon affiliate link) which helps to break down the kale. You will crave this salad! More Kale love …
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Homemade Chicken, Fennel Seed, and Kale Sausage
Organic Parmesan Polenta with Curly Kale and Roasted Tomatoes
White Bean, Sausage, and Kale Soup with Sauteed Leeks from Sara, Home Cooking Goddess
Leeks (through December) – leeks make me ridiculously happy, kind of like their cousin, wild ramps. This time of year brings us leeks that melt into recipes and elevate everything that they touch. I am so ready.
Carrot and Leek Soup with Creme Fraiche (baby carrots are amazing in Spring, but don’t forget the fall harvest of carrots!)
Fennel and Leek Risotto
Four Onion Gratin (one of my fave Thanksgiving side dishes!)
Autumn Mushroom Soup with Cognac
Pears (through December) – after a personally disappointing peach season, I am ready to transition to the autumnal fruits, including pears. In salads, soups, casseroles, and however else you want to imagine them, pears are here!
Fennel and Pear Crostini
Pear Martini (not sure this counts as seasonal food, but fun for your gatherings!)
Pumpkins (through November) – Technically, pumpkin season begins in September but really hits its stride in October. With the summer-like temps here in the mid-Atlantic, I am not quite ready for the pumpkins. I will just gaze at them longingly and wait a few more weeks. Sigh.
Creamy Pumpkin Chanterelle Mushroom Soup
Pumpkin Smoothie with Bee Pollen
Winter Squash (through December) – As summer squash waves good-bye until next year, we get to say HELLO to all the delights coming our way for the Winter Squash season. Make way for … Kabocha Squash, Delicata Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, and more!
Kabocha Squash Pie with Eggnog Whipped Cream by Sous Chef Jaz
How to Prepare Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash with Vegan Hemp Seed Pesto and Roasted Tomatoes
Roasted Acorn Squash with Fennel Sausage, Farro, Goat Cheese, and Spinach