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If you’re wondering what’s in season in October, this October Seasonal Produce Guide has a complete list of seasonal fruits and vegetables that are readily available this month. You’ll also find plenty of recipes to utilize this vibrant collection of early fall produce!
Fall is in full swing, and October brings a colorful bounty to the market. Think crisp apples, jewel-toned pomegranates, hearty Brussels sprouts, and sweet, nutty winter squash.
This October Seasonal Produce Guide will provide you with a list of fruits and vegetables that are at their peak this month. You’ll also find a wide variety of recipes below to provide you with the inspiration you need to use all the delicious summer vegetables and fruits.
Eating seasonally means enjoying produce at its peak of flavor and nutrition, and this October produce guide highlights what to look for so you can cook and eat with the best of the season.
Below is a list of the fruits and vegetables that are in season during the month of October. This list may vary depending on where you are located.
October seasonal fruits and vegetables
Root vegetables
Beets. Known for their deep, vibrant colors such as red and purple to gold and even striped. They have an earthy, sweet flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Don’t toss those beet greens as they are edible and packed with nutrition.
Carrots. Sweet and crisp, great for dipping, eaten raw in salads, an fabulous in soups and stews. They can also be grated and added to cakes and muffins for moisture and flavor.
Parsnips. Sweet and earthy with a nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked. They’re wonderful roasted, mashed, or added to soups and stews for extra depth. See my collection of parsnip recipes for more information.
Sweet potatoes. These are nutrient-dense and are naturally sweet with an earthy flavor and smooth, starchy flesh. They come in a variety of colors—including orange, white, and purple—and are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be roasted, mashed, baked, or added to soups, salads, and casseroles.
Turnips and rutabagas. Earthy, peppery roots that are wonderful roasted, stewed, or mashed. Use them in place of potatoes in stew for a lower carb alternative.
Brussels sprouts. Nutty and earthy, with mild cabbage flavor. They are great fried, roasted until caramelized or shaved raw in salads.
Cabbage – Crisp, crunchy texture and slightly bitter flavor when raw, and works great in slaws and salads. Once cooked, cabbage has a sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture. See my produce guide and collection of cabbage recipes for more information on varieties and ways to use it.
Celery. Crisp and aromatic, adding flavor to soups, stews, and crunchy salads.
Fennel. Subtly sweet with a light anise flavor, pairing beautifully with citrus and greens. See my collection of fennel recipes for more information.
Mushrooms. Meaty and earthy, especially wild varieties in the fall.
Winter Squash
Butternut squash. This is a sweet, nutty winter squash with smooth, orange flesh and a creamy texture when cooked. Its natural sweetness and rich flavor make it incredibly versatile— it’s perfect for roasting, mashing, blending into soups, or adding to salads, pastas, and grain bowls. It’s also a great source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. See my post on butternut squash recipes to find out more.
Delicata squash. A small, cream-colored winter squash with green stripes and thin, edible skin. Its sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture make it perfect for roasting, stuffing, or adding to salads — no peeling required! See my produce guide and collection of delicata squash recipes for more information.
Pumpkin. This winter squash needs no introduction! It’s mild and slightly sweet with dense orange flesh that’s perfect for both savory and sweet dishes. It’s ideal for roasting, pureeing, or baking, and is packed with fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Use fresh pumpkin in soups, curries, baked goods, or seasonal favorites like pies and muffins. See my complete list of pumpkin recipes for inspiration.
Spaghetti squash. This is a fun and flavorful winter squash with a mild, slightly sweet taste and a unique stringy texture that turns into pasta-like strands when cooked. It’s a wholesome, low-carb alternative to traditional noodles and pairs perfectly with your favorite sauces, roasted veggies, or a simple drizzle of olive oil and parmesan.
Fall Fruits
Apples. These crisp and juicy fall fruits are bursting with sweet-tart flavor, making them one of the most versatile fruits of the season. Whether you’re snacking, baking, or tossing them into salads, apples add freshness and crunch to any dish. They’re also a great source of fiber and vitamin C, making them as nourishing as they are delicious. See my collection of apple recipes to find out more.
Figs. Soft and sweet with a tender skin and seedy, jammy interior. They’re amazing eaten as-is, added to salads, cooked into jam, or baked, grilled or roasted. See my collection of fresh fig recipes to find out more about this luxurious fruit.
Grapes. Crisp, juicy and bite-sized, grapes are the perfect fruit. They’re available in red, green, black and even gold colors, and each one has their own special flavor. They’re perfect for snacking, they make a great addition to cheese boards, and are a great way to jazz up salads.
Pears. These fruits are sweet, juicy, and perfectly crisp or tender depending on the variety. Varieties include Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Seckel and more. They’re a fall favorite for snacking, baking, or adding to salads and cheese boards.
Persimmons. Sweet and honey-like, delicious eaten fresh, added to salads, or baked. See my produce guide and collection of persimmon recipes for more information.
Pomegranate. Vibrant ruby-red fruits filled with jewel-like arils that burst with a sweet-tart flavor. They add a refreshing crunch and pop of color to salads, yogurt bowls, and festive drinks. See my produce guide and collection of pomegranate recipes for more information.
Quince. Fragrant and firm, best when poached or cooked into jams and preserves.
Root vegetable recipes
Oven Roasted Beets Recipe
Oven Roasted Beets are tender, delicious and can be customized so many ways! They're perfect as a side dish, they make a great addition to salads, and they're so easy to make!
Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe is an easy gluten free, vegan side dish. It's colorful, delicious and highly customizable with your favorite root veggies!
Maple Thyme Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, and Parsnips
Maple Thyme Roasted Brussels Sprouts Carrots and Parsnips are a delicious, healthy roasted vegetable recipe. These tender, caramelized vegetables are the perfect side dish for anything you may be serving!
Parsnip Puree recipe is creamy, flavorful and will become your new favorite side dish! It's lower carb than mashed potatoes, naturally gluten-free and is great with anything you're serving!
Parsnip Soup is smooth and creamy with the flavors of sweet, woody parsnips, leeks, garlic and fresh thyme. It's so easy to make and it can be made vegan with one simple swap!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping is ultra fluffy with the flavors of maple, orange and vanilla. It can be prepped and assembled entirely in advance!
This Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers and Sweet Potatoes recipe is just what you need for busy weeknights! It takes just 10 minutes of hands on prep time and it's ready in about 30 minutes!
These Mashed Sweet Potatoes are creamy and delicious with the flavors of orange and rosemary. They're an easy side dish that's perfect for any occasion! Recipe includes both Instant Pot and stove top instructions.
Italian Sausage Kale Soup is high in protein, brimming with flavor and loaded with veggies, white beans and kale. Top with parmesan cheese for an easy, family friendly dinner!
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad is a delicious winter salad packed with texture and fresh flavors. It's tossed in a bright, zesty lemon dressing and it's great for meal prep!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are golden brown and addictively crispy with the flavors of lemon and parmesan. They're a healthy side dish or appetizer that's ready in about 20 minutes!
Brussels Sprouts and Bacon are a classic combination for a reason! Crispy bacon and caramelized brussels sprouts are combined with the brightness of lemon for an easy side dish that everyone will love!
Mini Crustless Broccoli Quiche is a healthier spin on quiche with plenty of broccoli, cheddar cheese and no pie crust! This is the perfect meal prep breakfast or brunch and they come together in minutes!
This One Pan ChickpeaBroccoli Rice Casserole is vegetarian comfort food! It's hearty, cheesy and comes together in just one pan so it's perfect for busy weeknights or holidays!
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Shallots and Parmesan
Roasted Cauliflower is tossed with garlic and shallots and roasted until tender and caramelized. It's finished with freshly grated parmesan for a healthy side dish that the family will love!
This Garlic Mashed Cauliflower recipe is a delicious low carb side dish! It's smooth and creamy with the flavors of garlic and fresh chives, and it's so easy to make!
Homemade Vegetable Stock is so fresh tasting and easy to make that you'll never buy it again! It's a great way to utilize those veggie scraps, it's freezer friendly, and recipe includes cooking methods for the stove top, slow cooker and Instant Pot!
Crock Pot Stuffing is golden brown, full of flavor, and frees up precious oven space! It's a delicious Thanksgiving side dish that's made completely from scratch and it can be prepped entirely in advance!
This roast spatchcock chicken is everything you love about juicy, roast chicken without the effort! It's an easy one pot dinner that the entire family will love, and it cooks up in about an hour!
Mushroom Barley Soup is a rustic, comforting vegetarian soup packed with mushrooms, veggies and hearty pearl barley. It's easy to make and it's perfect for meal prep!
Pork Chops with Creamy Mushroom Sauce are juicy pan seared pork chops smothered in a luscious mushroom cream sauce! It's easy to make and it comes together in about 30 minutes!
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are a crowd pleasing appetizer that's as elegant as it is delicious! They can be assembled entirely in advance making them perfect for entertaining!
Instant Pot Risotto is creamy and delicious with mushrooms, fresh lemon and plenty of parmesan! It's perfect every time with no stirring involved and it's on the table in 30 minutes!
Mashed Butternut Squash is savory, velvety in texture, and makes a wonderful side dish for anything you're serving! It's gluten-free, completely customizable and so easy to make!
Learn How to Peel and Cut Butternut Squash quickly and easily with this simple tutorial! From there, use cubed butternut squash in a multitude of recipes or freeze for a later date!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and baked until golden brown and crispy! The squash adds a sweet, nutty flavor that makes this the perfect fall comfort food!
Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad is packed with hearty quinoa, roasted butternut squash, crisp apple and tossed in a tangy sweet apple cider vinegar dressing! It's vegan, gluten-free and great for meal prep!
Butternut Squash Soup is velvety smooth, creamy, and one of the most comforting soups you'll ever eat. It's naturally gluten free, vegetarian and great for meal prep!
Roasted Pumpkin is tender, velvety and with a fresh flavor that will elevate any dish from soups, risotto and desserts! This easy tutorial covers how to roast pumpkin halves and cubes!
Learn How to Cut a Pumpkin quickly and easily with this step by step instructions! Includes how to cut a pumpkin in half, remove the seeds, peel it and cut into wedges or cubes to use in your recipes!
Thai Pumpkin Curry is packed with tender chunks of chicken, pumpkin and veggies in a creamy flavorful coconut red curry sauce! It's an easy weeknight dinner that's great for meal prep and it's freezer friendly!
Pumpkin Risotto is creamy and comforting with sweet roasted pumpkin, fresh thyme and smoky bacon. Use canned pumpkin puree as a timesaver and make it vegetarian with one simple swap!
Learn how to make pumpkin pie from scratch with only a few simple ingredients!. This homemade pumpkin pie has a flaky pie crust, luscious pumpkin filling and plenty of pumpkin pie spice for the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie includes a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy, decadent pumpkin cheesecake filling and warm pumpkin spice flavor. It's so much easier than classic cheesecake because there's no water bath necessary and it bakes up in a fraction of the time!
This Spiced Chai Pumpkin Pie is a delicious twist on the classic! It's complete with a flaky pie crust and a creamy pumpkin filling packed with the flavors of maple and warm chai spices. It's the perfect Thanksgiving dessert and it can be made entirely in advance!
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot, Oven & Microwave)
Learn how to Cook Spaghetti Squash easily in the Instant Pot, microwave, or bake it in the oven! It's a cost effective gluten-free, lower carb alternative to pasta and it's great for meal prep!
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna is everything you want in lasagna without all the carbs! Tender roasted spaghetti squash is tossed with a creamy ricotta filling, then topped with a rich, flavorful Italian sausage marinara and mozzarella cheese. It's cheesy, satisfying and can be assembled completely in advance!
This Delicata Squash Salad is complete with caramelized roasted delicata, hardy kale, pomegranate and feta cheese. It's tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing for a festive fall salad that's great for any occasion!
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash is a sweet and savory side dish with the mild, nutty flavor of delicata squash, maple syrup and fresh thyme. Serve with cranberries and pecans for a festive fall side dish!
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is tender chunks of apples with brown sugar, warm cinnamon and a hearty oatmeal crumble! It's full of fall flavor and includes gluten-free and vegan options!
This easy Homemade Applesauce Recipe is one of the best ways to celebrate apple season! It's packed with warm cinnamon and a fresh flavor that only homemade has, plus it's ready in about 30 minutes!
These Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon apples, and irresistible crumb topping. They’re an easy make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for fall gatherings and holiday parties!
Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats are the easiest meal prep breakfast! They're wholesome and hearty with apples and cinnamon, and they're dairy and gluten-free!
This Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe is complete with a buttery, flaky lattice pie crust and tart sweet apple cranberry filling. It's a festive holiday dessert that can be made entirely in advance!
Port cranberry sauce is an elegant twist on the classic side dish! Fresh cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon and port wine are combined to create a sweet and tangy sauce that pairs well with your favorite holiday dishes.
This Baked Cranberry Oatmeal is bursting with fresh cranberries, warm cinnamon, and is topped with a luscious orange glaze! It's an easy holiday breakfast!
Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins are light, fluffy and bursting with orange flavor and fresh cranberries. These gluten-free muffins are made with almond flour, contain no refined sugar and come together in just one bowl!
Arugula Pear Salad is a delicious blend of peppery arugula, juicy pears, creamy blue cheese and toasted pecans. Toss in champagne vinaigrette for a salad that's guaranteed to impress!
Pear Crumble is packed with sweet, juicy pears, warm cinnamon and a golden brown oat crumble! It's an easy fall dessert that includes gluten-free and vegan options!
Pear Ginger Smoothie is a creamy, high protein pear smoothie recipe with juicy Bosc pear, Greek yogurt and kick from fresh ginger. There's no added sugar making it a healthy smoothie alternative.
Persimmon Cake with Brown Butter Orange Frosting is dense, moist and full of flavor! It's a delicious, versatile cake that's perfect for dessert, holidays and even breakfast and brunch!
Persimmon Cookies are packed with the sweet flavor of persimmon, wholesome rolled oats, chewy dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. They're soft, chewy and completely addictive!
Learn how to cut a pomegranate open and remove the pomegranate seeds quickly and easily with my easy instructions! This handy DIY will save you money as you'll never need to purchase ready to eat pomegranate arils again!
Arugula Orange Pomegranate Salad is vibrant, refreshing and packed with sweet and savory flavor! It's tossed in a tangy pomegranate dressing for the ultimate fall and winter salad!