Hermione's Pantry

Here we go, my October seasonal fruit and vegetable guide. October is a wonderful month, large bowls of soup for lunch, squash in everything, frosty mornings, beautiful autumn leaves, hot chocolate and the lead up to Halloween!

The two fruit and vegetables I am going to highlight this month are squashes and pears.

Fruit in Season October

• Apple
• Blackberries
• Cranberry
• Damsons
• Dates
• Elderberries
• Fig
• Medlars
• Pear
• Plum
• Raspberry
• Sloe

Vegetables in Season October

• Artichoke
• Beetroot
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Butternut Squash
• Cabbage
• Cavolo Nero
• Celery
• Celeriac
• Chicory
• Chilli
• Fennel
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Lamb’s Lettuce
• Leek
• Lettuce
• Marrows
• Onion
• Pak Choi
• Parsnip
• Peas
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Quince
• Raddichio
• Radishes
• Rocket
• Runner Bean
• Salsify
• Shallots
• Spring Onion
• Sweet Potato
• Swede
• Swiss Chard
• Tomato
• Truffle
• Turnip
• Watercress
• Wild Mushrooms

Herbs in Season October

• Chives
• Garlic
• Parsley (curly)
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Sorrel
• Thyme

Nuts in Season October

• Chestnuts
• Cobnuts
• Hazelnuts

Squashes

I love all kinds of squashes, pumpkins and gourds. They are a great source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, magnesium, manganese, calcium and potassium. They are incredibly versatile and can be made into amazing risottos, soups, curries, stews, cakes and desserts!

• Butternut Squash, Hazelnut and Goat Cheese Salad
• Flourless Cinnamon, Chocolate and Cherry Cake (yes it is made with butternut squash!)
• Butternut Squash and Wensleydale Pie
• Pumpkin Pie

Pears

Pears are a member of the rose family (who knew?!) and are great sources of vitamins B6 and C, potassium and copper. As it is a slow energy releasing fruit it is brilliant for helping balance blood sugar levels.

• Warm Pear, Blackberry and Ginger Juice
• Pear, Fig and Almond Cake
• Pear, Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate Cake
• Autumn Porridge Bowls

Sources: BBC Food, BBC GoodFood, Eat the Seasons