Exploring the World of Fall Fruits in Your Diet
As the fall and winter months approach, it can be a challenge to integrate fruits into your diet, especially when the farmers’ markets start to disappear. However, there are many hearty fall fruits like apples, pears, and grapes that can serve as staples for your meals. In this article, we will explore the benefits of incorporating fruits into your diet and provide you with some delicious and low-waste salad recipes to try this season.
Why Eat Waste-Free?
While we all know the importance of eating fruits and vegetables for our health, it is also essential to consider the impact of food waste on the environment. In the United States, households discard about 150 tons of food daily, with fruits and vegetables being the most common items to be thrown away. Food waste has increased by 300% since the 1970s, highlighting the urgent need to reduce our waste and make more sustainable choices.
By practicing low-waste cooking and composting food scraps, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet. Even if you don’t have a compost pile, there are still ways to compost your food scraps and prevent them from ending up in a landfill.
Recipe: Multi-Functional Autumn Salad
This versatile autumn salad is easy to make and can be enjoyed throughout the day in various ways. By using apples, pears, grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries, you can create a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for any meal.
Your Shopping List
- 2 apples
- 1 pear
- 1/2 cup grapes
- 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 lemon
Remember to compost the scraps, peels, and seeds from the apples, grapes, pear, and lemon to minimize waste and support sustainability.
How To Make It
- Cut the apples and pear into bite-sized pieces and squeeze lemon juice over them to prevent browning.
- Slice the grapes in half.
- Mix all the ingredients in a large, resealable container.
Ways To Eat It
- Breakfast: Add the salad to granola or oatmeal for a nutritious start to your day.
- Snack: Mix the salad with yogurt for a quick and healthy snack.
- Dinner: Use the salad to create a Waldorf salad by adding it to lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Sweet treat: Enjoy the salad with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar for a guilt-free dessert.
Recipe: Roasted Pear and Arugula Salad
This recipe combines the sweetness of pears with the peppery arugula, creating a flavorful and refreshing salad that is perfect for fall. Topped with pecans and blue cheese, this salad is a true delight for your taste buds.
Your Shopping List
- 5 ounces of organic baby arugula salad
- 2 soft pears (Bartlett or Bosc pears)
- 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup blue cheese (optional)
How To Make It
- Slice the pears and sauté them in butter until they are golden brown.
- Toss the arugula, pecans, and dressing together in a bowl.
- Add the warm pears to the salad and top with blue cheese.
For the dressing, you can use a raspberry vinaigrette to enhance the flavors of the salad. Homemade dressings are always a great option, and you can find a classic Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing recipe online.
More Fun Autumn Salads
- Spicy Squash Salad With Lentils and Goat Cheese: A unique salad that combines sweet and spicy flavors with a kick of grains for a satisfying meal.
- Sautéed Pear Salad: A delicious recipe that can be made with pears or apples for a refreshing and light dish.
- Heirloom Pumpkin with Blue Cheese Crostata: A savory and flavorful dish that features heirloom vegetables for a special autumn treat.
With these delicious and low-waste salad recipes, you can enjoy the flavors of fall while reducing your environmental impact. Experiment with different fruits and ingredients to create your own unique salads and make the most of the autumn harvest.
With fall in full swing, it’s the perfect time to indulge in comforting and hearty dishes that showcase the flavors of the season. One classic combination that never fails to impress is the pairing of blue cheese and pumpkin. Chef John Sundstrom of Lark Restaurant in Seattle has perfected a recipe that highlights this delicious duo, creating a dish that is both elegant and satisfying.
To start, gather your ingredients: pumpkin, blue cheese, butter, cream, salt, pepper, and a few simple spices. Chef Sundstrom recommends using a flavorful blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola, to complement the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Begin by roasting the pumpkin until it is tender and caramelized, bringing out its natural sweetness. While the pumpkin is roasting, prepare the blue cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan and adding cream, blue cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir the mixture until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Once the pumpkin is ready, remove it from the oven and carefully scoop out the flesh, discarding the skin. Place the pumpkin flesh in a bowl and mash it with a fork until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg or cinnamon for a warm and aromatic flavor.
To serve, spoon the creamy blue cheese sauce over the mashed pumpkin, creating a beautiful contrast of flavors and textures. Garnish with a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for a finishing touch.
This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or a special fall gathering with friends and family. The rich and creamy blue cheese sauce pairs perfectly with the sweet and earthy pumpkin, creating a dish that is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
Chef John Sundstrom’s recipe for blue cheese and pumpkin showcases the best of fall flavors in a simple yet elegant dish that will leave you craving more. Try it out for yourself and experience the magic of this classic combination!
