Autumn, that cosy time of year when the leaves change colours and the air turns crisp, also brings a delightful array of tasty ingredients to our tables. It's a season of warm soups, hearty stews, and comforting dishes that make us feel snug and satisfied. During these months, nature provides us with an abundance of flavourful mushrooms, colourful squashes, and sweet carrots. Pumpkins take the spotlight, and even Brussels sprouts get their moment to shine. In this article, we'll explore these autumn ingredients, why they're good for you, and a few tips on how to keep them fresh.
While mushrooms grace our tables year-round, Autumn showers us with a delightful variety of these umami-rich gems. Unlike other vegetables, mushrooms don't rely on sunlight, allowing them to flourish in darker, colder environments. This season introduces us to a medley of flavours, from earthy porcini to delicate chanterelles. Nutrient-wise, mushrooms are full of essential minerals like selenium, which supports a healthy immune system. Try our delicious Creamy Mushroom & Herb Pasta for a perfect warming dinner. The mushrooms, onions, and garlic team up wonderfully with the creamy yoghurt and zingy lemon sauce.
Tip: To keep them fresh, store mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator, allowing them to breathe.
This pasta is a perfect warming dinner. The mushrooms, onions and garlic go so well with the creamy yoghurt and lemon sauce, and the spinach, basil and sage add a real freshness to the whole dish. You can add more garlic if you like it super garlicky, and throw in any extra veg, such as peas or spinach, for extra greens.
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This rustic vegetable tart, with a layer of rich, indulgent ‘cheesy’ béchamel sauce, makes for a wonderful lunch or dinner if you’re entertaining friends.
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This upgraded beans on toast makes a delicious and satisfying breakfast. The smooth and creamy butterbeans are perfectly complemented by the punchy umami mushrooms.
View RecipeAcorn, Winter, Carnival, and Butternut squashes take centre stage during Autumn, showcasing their vibrant colours and robust flavours. Roast them for hearty curries and stews, or boil them to make a velvety, creamy mash. These squashes are nutritional powerhouses, rich in vitamins A and C, as well as fibre. Our Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto is a firm favourite and such a comforting dish. It has the perfect balance of creamy, roasted squash with delicious nutty brown rice.
Tip: Store squash in a cool, dark place to extend their shelf life.
Risotto is such a comforting dish, especially when paired with creamy, roasted butternut squash. We use brown rice here as it maintains some bite, and has a delicious nutty taste, but other types would work well too.
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This is a brilliant recipe for batch cooking. Red lentils are simmered with sautéed red onion, lots of spices, fresh ginger, garlic and coconut milk. Add to that cinnamon and cumin-roasted butternut squash, finish with a sprinkling of roasted almonds, coconut chips, fresh herbs, chilli and yoghurt — and you have the ultimate winter warmer.
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Butternut squash is such a great vegetable to include in soups. It has such a rich, autumnal taste and is perfect for making the texture really smooth and creamy. We love to serve ours sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and a pinch of dried chilli.
View RecipePumpkins truly shine in Autumn, and their versatility knows no bounds. Hollow out these vibrant orbs and bake them whole, filling them with rice salads, nourishing stews, or even a creamy pumpkin soup. Nutritionally, pumpkins are a superb source of beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that supports eye health and immune function. Our Stuffed Autumn Pumpkin looks just as good as it tastes. The roasted pumpkin is soft and full of flavour, topped with toasted almonds for a delicious added crunch.
Tip: Keep your pumpkins in a cool, dry spot to ensure they last throughout the season.
This is the perfect autumnal dish, and one that tastes just as good as it looks. The roasted pumpkin is so soft and flavoursome, while the toasted almonds provide the perfect amount of crunch. This looks incredible served in the centre of the table at a supper party.
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Halloween is a popular time to get creative with pumpkins, which also means there can be a lot of leftovers. This soup is a great way to make a delicious, quick dinner out of any extra pumpkins.
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Gather friends for a get-together or enjoy on a quiet night in — whatever the occasion, make the most of pumpkin season and serve up this simple yet delicious hummus as your new favourite autumn dip.
View RecipePerfect for the winter months ahead, Brussels sprouts may not be everyone's first choice, but we believe you should give them a chance. Roast them until they're crispy and charred, then toss them through pasta or yummy pesto. These small green wonders are rich in vitamins K and C, promoting healthy bones and immune systems. Make sure you give our Almond Pesto Sprouts a try! In just 30 minutes, you can serve up a delightful dish that might just change your perspective on Brussels sprouts. I'll admit, these little green gems have had a bad rep, but when prepared the right way, they are simply irresistible. Roasting them is the secret; it turns the outer leaves into a perfect golden crisp. Then mix through some pesto for a dreamy combination!
Tip: Keep Brussels sprouts in the fridge's vegetable drawer for optimal freshness and wash them just before cooking to prevent spoilage.
I’m a huge fan of Brussel sprouts, I know they have a bad reputation, but when cooked right they’re absolutely delicious! Roasting them turns the outer leaves perfectly golden and crispy, so that’s where I always start, but the other night I tossed them in some leftover pesto and it was so delicious. Since then I’ve become obsessed with sprouts and pesto, it’s a dreamy combination. They’re roasted and then tossed with a basil and almond pesto, which we added a splash of maple to so that the tartness of the sprouts evened out. This is a great side dish and the sides make the perfect addition to a work lunch.
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This pasta is perfect for any leftover vegetables you have after Christmas. The creamy sauce is so simple to make and goes great with pretty much anything.
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This salad is delicious and looks lovely too. The black rice is hearty and filling, while the roasted sprouts and parsnip create a wintery goodness that is perfect for any mid-week dinner. We love it served with some hummus and roast veg for a simple supper.
View RecipeWhile carrots are available year-round, many varieties are at their peak during Autumn. These vibrant root vegetables are delicious in cakes, grated into salads, or enjoyed raw with a side of hummus. They're a great source of beta-carotene, supporting skin health and vision. We’ve recently given a revamp to our Carrot, Lentil & Raisin Salad for you to try. While it may not be the most beautiful salad around it’s incredibly delicious and simple to make.
Tip: To preserve their crispness, store carrots in the refrigerator, ideally in a damp towel to prevent drying.
This is an old favourite recipe, which we’ve recently given a revamp to make it even better for you. It’s not the most beautiful salad around but it’s incredibly delicious and simple to make. The squash is roasted until tender with cumin and cinnamon, before being tossed with lentils, quinoa, raisins and toasted pine nuts and then drizzled with a tahini, lime and maple dressing. I like to make big batches of this and eat the leftovers for desk lunches across the week, adding a handful of rocket and some avocado when I serve it.
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Who can resist a slice of classic carrot cake for an afternoon treat or to celebrate a special occasion? This crowd-pleasing recipe uses coconut yoghurt for a naturally sweet topping — the higher the fat content, the thicker and more suited to frosting it will be.
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Try this savoury tart tatin-style dish for a show-stopping centrepiece. The carrots are cooked on the hob until tender, then mixed with spicy harissa and sweet maple syrup to make a luscious topping. Perfect for entertaining — simply serve with an array of salads and hummus for a sensational plant-based celebration.
View RecipeAs we savour the flavours of Autumn, we're reminded of the beauty of embracing seasonal ingredients. Nature's cycle offers us a diverse array of produce throughout the year, each season with its unique charms and healthful benefits. Autumn, in particular, invites us to indulge in the earthy, comforting foods that warm our souls as the days grow shorter. So, make the most of these seasonal treasures this Autumn. Whether you're roasting mushrooms, savouring the sweetness of carrots, or crafting pumpkin-inspired dishes, you're not only nourishing your body but also connecting with the rhythms of nature. Let's celebrate this season and all the delicious, wholesome things it brings to our tables.
