What to Eat This Fall

The author did not mention that you can cook squash and pumpkin in the microwave. I used to cook pumpkin and preserve it by drying it. In the oven, this takes forever. Cooking in the microwave gives perfectly acceptable results. Two nights ago, I cooked a half butternut in the microwave, using the potato setting. It came out perfectly. I can go ahead and use it just like canned pumpkin. - 11/9/2012 8:53:30 PM

Giventhanks - I thought the same thing. I enjoy many of my foods plain now. Or if you have to have something - olive oil is great on cauliflower. My apples I now "bake" them in the microwave. I core them, cut in half, sprinkle with just cinnamon - no sugar, in for a few minutes, they are wonderful. You can even put a splash of vanilla or almond soy milk on them!
Also for squash - butternut - use a really good peeler, peel it, chop it into big squares - a splash of olive oil, bit of salt and pepper and roast in the oven. Then mix them with potatoes or risotto or have plain. They are delicious.
I grew up with my mother always making acorn squash, cut in half with butter and brown sugar. I made it recently - plain! It was amazing.
Before adding the added calorie ingredients try the fresh vegetable first - you may like it! - 11/9/2012 6:56:12 AM

Figs and pears are good in in mesclun mix salad with balsamic vinagrette, nd a sprinkle of goat cheese. - 11/2/2012 7:31:51 AM

I was surprised at many of the unhealthy suggestions about using butter, sugar and syrup. Since I have been eating healthier, I have grown to love the natural tastes of fruits and vegetables. I never would have thought of eating a sweet potato without lots of butter or margarine and now I love it all by itself. WOW, have I changed! LOL!

Have a great day everyone!

Pat - 10/10/2012 10:15:56 AM

Thank you, it's good to know it's safe to buy apples again without bringing home a bagful of bruised apples. - 10/18/2011 10:51:44 PM

I agree that I would prefer not to see sugar and butter as suggestions for everything. Sugar on pears, even. That would kill my caloric intake right now.

I do enjoy half a pear chopped and added to my baby green salad these days.

Regarding apples. I also like sauteeing them in just a little coconut oil and water. Add to oatmeal with chopped pecans and cinnamon. Sweeten with agave nectar, if desired, and add a little coconut or almond beverage (unsweetened). YUM!

I have a hard time finding swiss chard, though I like it. I'll have to look harder. - 10/18/2011 10:01:48 PM

You know I take issue with the comment about not knowing how to eat seasonally- it wasn't that long ago that I had difficulty getting decent tasting produce in my supermarket in the winter in Canada. - 10/18/2011 9:07:53 PM

One of my favorite fall and winter breakfasts is apples with oatmeal or any other hot cereal.
I cut up and sautee apples with a little real maple syrup and walnuts, add the liquid (milk or water) and oats and cook til the oats are ready. - 10/18/2011 4:22:49 PM

The very easiest way to cook winter squash is to pierce it with a knive 3 or 4 times and then microwave it for 7 to 12 minutes depending on the size. - 10/18/2011 8:05:44 AM

Thank you so much SP for encouraging us all to eat local and be kinder to the environment! A healthy lifestyle for each of us should include one that's healthy for the world we live in too. :) And can't wait to try Swiss Chard! - 9/23/2011 2:10:53 PM

It was nice to see some good ideas of what to buy, but almost EVERY serving suggestion included butter, cheese, or ice cream. I would have liked to see some healthier preparation methods paired with these healthy foods. Alternatives to butter, salt, and sugar would have been great suggestions. - 9/23/2011 9:26:05 AM

Great article - I especially liked the idea of sauteeing the apple slices! - 9/23/2011 9:24:06 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed this article -- it was not only informative and interesting, it also was so descriptive that I can't wait to head off to my local farmers market and pack my bags with fresh apples and squash.

And the timing of this article was perfect -- after all, it IS the first day of autumn. Happy Autumn everyone!! - 9/23/2011 8:03:51 AM

Our town is just getting it's first farmers' market! I can't wait to check out the local produce. It starts October 3rd and runs through December 1st. - 9/23/2011 7:09:40 AM

Farmers' markets are great and a positive way to support your local economy. Keep in mind, though, that not all food found in these markets is local and some comes from the same channels as supermarket foods. If you`re interested in local foods, be sure to ask the vendor where it came from.

If you are interested in going further but just don't know where to start, the following two links are pretty good resources:
http://www.huff
ingtonpost.co
m/david-becke
r/seven-great
-questions-to_b_350268.html
http://www.sust
ainabletable.
org/shop/questions/

Once you start digging deeper, you will probably be amazed (and shocked) to find out what goes on behind our backs in the food system and until we start asking questions and demanding answers, it will continue to be hidden.
- 9/23/2011 6:15:26 AM