September is the start of the harvest season. Some wonderful fruit and vegetables are at their peak this month.
As summer ends and fall begins there's a great overlap of summer produce like late-season tomatoes and zucchini with early fall produce like pumpkins and radishes.
Whether you are holding on to the last fleeting moments of summer or excited for fall to begin, there is a plethora of choices of produce for you this month!
Here's what's in season in the month of September.
September Seasonal Produce
Apples - the most popular fruit of the season! Apples come in a wonderful variety of flavors from sweet to crisp. Some apples are better for baking and some for use in salads. Try our Baked Apples with Oatmeal.
Blackberries - a bramble berry that's usually dark purple or black. They're a juicy little berry that tastes great in sweets, jams, sauces, and savory dishes. Try our Honeydew Melon & Blackberry Salad.
Bok Choy - a type of Chinese cabbage, also called pak choi, with a lighter green bulb and dark green leaves. Try this Grilled Baby Bok Choy Recipe.
Broccoli - in season year-round, this cruciferous veggie is actually best in autumn. The dark green stems and florets are easy to cook and can be eaten raw. Make some Broccoli Pasta for an easy dinner.
Brussels Sprouts - these mini-cabbage-shaped vegetables are fantastic when roasted and can be shredded and eaten raw in salads. Try our Smashed Brussels Sprouts.
Cabbage - a type of brassica that is leafy and may be green, red, or white. Cabbage is endlessly versatile and its mild flavor allows it to be used in many types of dishes. Try our Green Goddess Cabbage Salad.
Cantaloupe - a large juicy melon with a light exterior and an orange interior. These melons are often added to fruit salad or served with prosciutto. Try this unusual recipe - cantaloupe bread.
Carrots - long, thin root vegetables with a sweet flavor. Typically orange in color, but also available in purple, white, and red. Try our Rainbow Carrot Salad with Quinoa.
Cauliflower - this cruciferous veggie has been having a real moment - cauliflower has been a stand-in for rice, pizza crusts, and more. It's great on a vegetable tray or roasted and served as a side. Try this Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Chimichurri Sauce.
Corn - A cylindrical vegetable with yellow kernels. Summer sweet corn is often grilled and served as a side, but it's great in salads, casseroles, and pasta. Try this Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad.
Eggplant - A large purple vegetable with an oblong shape and tough, shiny skin. Best when roasted till they are creamy! Enjoy these grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks.
Garlic - a bulb-shaped allium that's similar to onions and chives. This incredibly useful food can be used in so many dishes! Try one of our favorite recipes - this Garlic Confit.
Grapes - A small fruit that grows on a vine - common colors include green and red/purple. Most grapes are grown for wine, but they're also a fantastic snack, added to a fruit salad, and are great when roasted. Try our Roasted Grape Crostinis.
Green Beans - a thin, long green pod that can be eaten whole. Often served as a side dish or used in casseroles. Make our favorite Roasted Parmesan Green Beans.
Kale - a dark leafy green that's earthy and slightly bitter. This powerhouse veggie is excellent in soups, salads, casseroles, and more. Make some delicious Brussels Sprouts Kale Salad.
Leeks - a large edible allium that tastes similar to scallions and chives. Make this Leek & Pea Fried Rice.
Melons - a large group of fruits with a fleshy interior and a hard rind on the exterior. Includes watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, and more. Enjoy this Melon Prosciutto Salad.
Parsnips - a root vegetable that looks like a cream-colored carrot and can be used in a very similar way. You can roast parsnips for a delicious side dish or use it in a mash.
Peaches - a delicious, juicy stone fruit that is usually orange or white. Great in a salad, dessert, baked goods, or smoothie. Try our Peach Smoothie Recipe for breakfast.
Peas - a small spherical green seed that is shelled from a pod. Commonly served as a side dish. Make this Leek & Pea Fried Rice.
Pears - a soft, mild-flavored fruit that comes in green, red, yellow, and brown. They're wonderful when poached, sliced in a salad, or baked in a crumble. Make this Asian Pear Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese.
Peppers - peppers are actually a fruit and include bell peppers, jalapenos, serranos, poblanos, and more. Use them in salsas and sauces, chili, soup, and meat dishes. Try this Roasted Red Pepper Pasta.
Plums - a juicy stone fruit that is often dried into prunes. Used in salads, baked goods, and eaten as a snack.
Potatoes - a starchy root vegetable with a thin skin. Best when boiled or roasted and can be used in a mash, soups, salads, and more! Make these Roasted Purple Potatoes.
Pumpkins - a type of winter squash with a thick rind and orange flesh and seeds in the interior. Great for roasting or used in soups, casseroles, pasta, and more! Try our Pumpkin Minestrone Soup Recipe.
Radishes - edible root vegetables with a peppery bit that come in a variety of colors and sizes. Enjoy these Watermelon Radish Appetizer Bites.
Raspberries - a bright red berry with a sweet, juicy taste. Great in baked goods, jam, salad, and smoothies. Make our Healthy Raspberry Cake.
Sweet Potatoes - orange potatoes, with an earthy and sweet flavor, that can be used just like regular white potatoes. Use them in this Sweet Potato Green Curry Bowl.
Tomatoes - technically a fruit, we usually use tomatoes like they are a vegetable - in salads, sauces, sandwiches, and more. Here's How to Make Pasta Sauce from Fresh Tomatoes.
Zucchini - a type of summer squash, also called courgette, that's usually dark green. Fantastic when roasted, grilled, or sauteed (they can also be eaten raw). Try our popular Zucchini Spaghetti.