What fruits and vegetables are in season in autumn

The autumn months bring an abundance of produce that has ripened over summer and are at their best for us to enjoy.  Pears are at the peak, apples are crunchy and delicious and figs are fantastic.  As the months creep into winter, cooler climate loving vegetables such as beetroot, kale and broccoli are at their best. 

Top 5 fruits to try 

1. Apple: full of fibre and Vitamin C and so easy to pack as a snack. Delicious in this Waldorf salad or in a healthy apple crumble. 
2. Avocado: dates back to 7000BC but now a delicious source of healthy fats – perfect for salads, sandwiches and in a dip.
3. Banana: the perfect fruit to eat on its own, sliced on toast or smashed in a yummy banana pikelet – it even comes in its own packaging. 
4. Kiwifruit: natures laxative! Great in a smoothie or sliced on your morning cereal. 
5. Pear: full of fibre and folate. Eat on their own, sliced on crackers and cheese with a spot of chutney or in a salad with some grated parmesan. 

Top 5 vegetables to add to your day 

1. Beetroot: easy to roast, steam or microwave in its skin. Use it in a roasted vegetable salad or in this delicious roast beetroot hummus. You can even eat it raw in these healthy beetroot and spinach bliss balls.  
2. Broccoli: delicious in a stir fry or make this veg packed cauliflower and broccoli mac n’ cheese. Don’t waste the stalks – slice thinly and use with the florets. Chinese broccoli is a great source of iron and calcium. 
3. Mushroom: eat raw or cooked. Use to replace some of the meat in your recipes like in this chicken and vegetable lasagne 
4. Tomato: everything tastes better with a tomato – in salads, on sandwiches, sliced on toast with a grind of black pepper and in these fresh and cooked pasta sauces. 
5. Snow peas: also known as ‘mangetout’ which means eat everything in French. Eat on it’s own as a healthy snack or add to your favourite stir fry. 

Why eat seasonally? 

• It’s good for the environment. 
• Your food is fresher and more nutritious. 
• It tastes better.
• Supports local farmers and our economy.
• It’s less expensive than imported fruit and vegetables.

Here’s your simple guide to what’s in season for autumn (March, April and May)

For more recipes, visit healthylunchbox.com