Late Produce Guide: What's Still in Season (and Why It's Worth Grabbing)

Late fall has so much to offer, and it's always best to grab and enjoy local offerings of produce while they are fresh, or to preserve so you can still enjoy their delicious flavours throughout the winter months. October and November offer a wide variety of delicious produce, even with the cooler weather. Root veggies like carrots, parsnips, and beets, and cruciferous veggies like brussels sprouts and cabbage fill our farmers’ tables. Apples, pears, and greens like kale and spinach are plentiful, along with late-season storage crops like onions and garlic. 

The late fall season is a peak time for delicious and hearty root vegetables. Grown underground, these veggies are naturally suited for cooler temperatures and become better and slightly sweeter as the weather cools. Buying them now means their flavours have likely deepened with a couple frosts, making them perfect for roasting, mashing, and transforming into flavourful sides, soups, and stews. 

Preservation is easy with root veggies - store them in a cool, dark place for a few weeks or take the blanche and freeze route. There is always the option of pickling as well for a more tangy and bright flavour to hold you over throughout the winter season. 

Apple varieties change throughout the seasons, but the late fall is when some varieties are at their best. From Red and Golden Delicious, to Ida Red and Spies, many varieties are still sweet and crunchy, and of course full of fresh flavour. Apples are so versatile, and can be stored in many different ways. Whether you like to slice and dehydrate them for shelf stable snacks or slice and freeze for later baking, their flavours can be preserved for baked goods and snacks throughout the winter. Homemade apple cider and apple butter is another fantastic option for apples who may have a few soft spots and won't be picked first for snacking. 

Late fall is also when garlic, onion, winter squashes, and potatoes shine. These staples are all perfect for cozy seasonal cooking, and locally grown produce has a deeper depth of flavour that makes each dish extra memorable. Keep these gems dry and well ventilated! Garlic and onions can stay out of the fridge, while squash and potatoes like cool, dark conditions. Buying local produce doesn't just mean better quality - it also keeps your dollars local and supports farmers before their winter shutdown! 

At this time of year you can still find kale, spinach, and other cold winter greens that withstand frost and often get a little sweeter after a cold snap (including fresh lettuce, which benefits from their natural sugars which act like an anti-freeze, protecting the plant cells from bursting). Wash, chop, and freeze them in bags or in ice cube moulds for easy use in dishes and sauces throughout the winter, or enjoy them fresh by including them in soups and sautés. 

Shopping local at this time of year is extremely important, and has a massive impact on local farmers and growers. Not only are you supporting small scale farmers as they wrap up their season, you are connecting yourself to food that's fresher, more sustainable, and rooted in the rhythms of your local lands - while keeping your spending dollars in your local community and economy. 

Whether you're cooking seasonal comforts or preserving for the months ahead, there's so much to love as the produce season continues into late fall.