A Seasonal Produce Roundup

When pumpkin spice *everything* starts popping up, you know fall has arrived. But there's plenty more to the season than pumpkin-flavored treats. Autumn brings its own colorful lineup of produce, from earthy root vegetables and winter squash to crisp apples and tart cranberries.

Ready to give your fall menu a seasonal refresh? Here are four favorites to put in your cart.

Root Vegetables

Carrots and parsnips are right at home in fall cooking. Although they have a similar shape, parsnips are cream-colored with a distinctive earthy, slightly sweet flavor that becomes especially delicious when roasted.

They're also more nutritionally interesting than they sometimes get credit. One cup of sliced raw parsnips provides about 6.5 grams of fiber, along with vitamin C, folate and potassium. Roast them alongside carrots, add them to soups and stews, or mash them with potatoes for a seasonal side.

Winter Squash

Butternut, acorn, pumpkin and spaghetti squash bring instant fall appeal to the kitchen. Unlike tender-skinned summer squash, winter varieties have firm outer rinds that help them keep longer when stored properly.

They're also incredibly versatile. Roast butternut squash for grain bowls and salads, stuff acorn squash for dinner or turn spaghetti squash into a fun base for your favorite toppings.

Spaghetti squash is an especially easy way to change up pasta night. Toss the cooked strands with tomato sauce, pesto or roasted vegetables, or mix them with traditional pasta instead of thinking of squash as an all-or-nothing swap.

Cranberries

These ruby-red berries bring their signature tart flavor to fall tables, but they're getting attention from researchers, too.

A 2024 review of 16 randomized controlled trials suggests that cranberry consumption may help support heart and metabolic health, with promising findings related to blood lipids and insulin resistance. While more research is needed, it's one more reason to enjoy this seasonal favorite!

Naturally tart and packed with flavor, cranberries are delicious in homemade sauces, baked goods and salads. Pair them with naturally sweeter fruits like apples, oranges or pears to balance their tartness without relying on too much added sugar.

Apples

An apple a day? There’s some good nutrition science behind that familiar saying! One medium apple with the skin provides about 4 grams of fiber, including pectin, which helps support digestive health and nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Apples also contain polyphenols, plant compounds being studied for their potential heart and metabolic benefits. A recent review of 38 studies found promising connections to blood sugar regulation, vascular function and gut health. Enjoy them with the peel on for the biggest fiber boost!

Put Fall on Your Plate

Ready to bring some of the season together in one dish? Try our Sweet Potato, Garden Vegetable and Field Greens Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, with sweet potato, leafy greens, toasted pecans and cranberries tossed in a maple-ginger vinaigrette. It’s fall in a bowl.

Published Oct 1, 2026