Hi Friends!

Fall is coming! Are you as excited as me?! With the change of seasons, comes a change to which fruits and vegetables are considered "in season." I thought I'd take a little time to bring you guys up to speed on what's in season right now!

The best time to buy any fruits and vegetables are when they are in season! They are usually at the lowest price and they have the most flavor. A great resource to see what's in season specifically in your state is the Peak-Season map at Epicurious.com. All you need to do is click on your state to see what should be added to your grocery list!

Since we're not all in the same state, I thought I'd just give you a general overview of the fruits and veggies at their peak. This isn't an all-inclusive list by any means, but it should get you started!

September Fruits

Here are qualities to consider when picking out your fruit:

• Apples: Look for apples that are firm, have intact skin and are free of large bruises.
• Blackberries: Choose plump, juicy berries and eat them within a couple days of purchasing.
• Figs: Look for firm, smooth skin and avoid figs that are sticky. Handle with care as they are quite fragile.
• Grapes: Choose firm grapes and check near the stem to make sure they aren't turning brown.
• Pears: Buy firm pears. They will ripen quickly once you bring them home.
• Plums: Buy when firm and store in the refrigerator once ripe. Ripe plums will indent slightly when gently pressed at the end opposite the stem and will have a light, fruity smell.
• Raspberries: Look for raspberries that are bright in color and free of white or green spots, which may indicate they were picked too early.
• Tomatoes: Yes, the are a fruit! They will be plentiful at the farmer's market so enjoy them in your salads or slice and serve them with some fresh mozzarella for an easy appetizer!

September Veggies

Some things to consider:

• Beets: Select beets that are firm and have smooth skin. Look for several of uniform size so that you can roast several together and they'll take roughly the same amount of time.
• Corn: Peel back the husk and look at the kernels at the top of the ear. If they're in good shape, the rest of the ear probably will be as well.
• Cucumbers: Choose cucumbers with a bright, even skin color, free of dull spots. Pick up some extra and turn them into pickles!
• Eggplant: Look for smooth skin and avoid extremely large eggplants since they tend to be bitter.
• Fennel: Look for firm solid bulbs, that are not cracked or bruised.
• Peppers: Choose peppers that are firm, with skin that is unblemished and smooth.
• Potatoes: Look for potatoes with relatively smooth skin, no green patches and few eyes.
• Pumpkin: Choose a heavy pumpkin that is free of soft spots.

Fall is a great time to increase your intake a fruits and vegetables. There are lots of great recipes out there to help you incorporate them into your diet. This fall, challenge yourself to try a fruit or vegetable you've never had before!

Enjoy.

--Lindsay--