October's foods in season and what to cook with them
Here are the foods that are at their best in October.
The days are getting shorter and the nights longer, and our food is changing accordingly. Here are our picks of October's seasonal goodies.
Vegetables
Autumn and winter vegetables are definitely the order of the day. Halloween means it's time to eat (and carve) some pumpkins, while a wide variety of squashes are widely available.
When it comes to greens, look out for broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks and sprouts, while root vegetables such as swedes, parsnips, celeriac, carrots, potatoes and turnips are starting to appear on the shelves. It's also a good time to buy aubergine, celery and beetroot.
Wild mushrooms are arguably at their peak but, as ever, make sure you know what you're looking for if you're foraging.
Try...
Rustic pumpkin, ricotta and caramelised onion tart
Garlic, mushroom and thyme focaccia
Sprout, leek and hazelnut gratin
Lee Westcott/Davidstow
Meat
The game season continues with grouse, guinea fowl, pheasant, venison and wood pigeon all in plentiful supply. It's also now autumn lamb time, and a good time to look for duck and goose.
Try...
Spiced duck skewers with kale stir fry
Rick Stein's lamb-stuffed aubergines
Gordon Ramsay's Thai red curry
Gordon’s Great Escape South East Asia/HarperCollins
Seafood
Catches of the month include brill, coley, grey mullet, mackerel, turbot, sole and sea bass. Shellfish-wise, go for mussels, oysters and scallops.
Try...
Scallops with chorizo and lemon butter
Hayne's BBQ Manual/www.fishisthedish.co.uk
Fruit
Apples and pears are still around, as are the last of the blackberries and figs. Cranberries start to appear on shelves towards the end of the month, and it's a great time to try cooking with quince.
If you're out and about in the countryside, look for sloes in the hedgerows to use for sloe gin, jelly or syrup.
Try...
Quince and pomegranate glazed pork
Fig and date tart with cumin-chocolate syrup
Apple butter and cinnamon custard toasts
Cranberry and Grand Marnier fridge cake
The Pie Book/Caroline Bretherton/DK
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