With the days and nights getting colder, it's time to cosy up with some comforting, hearty meals like soups, stews and casseroles. Here, we take a look at what produce is at its best this month, and pick our favourite recipes to make.
Vegetables
Halloween is almost here, so it's the perfect time of yearto eat (and carve)pumpkins. Awide variety ofsquashes, including butternut squash, areavailable too.
When it comes to greens, look out for broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks and sprouts, as well as root vegetables likeswedes, parsnips, celeriac, carrots, potatoes and turnips, which are slowly starting to come into their own. It's also a good time to buy and cook with aubergines, celery and beetroot.A lot of hardy herbs like thyme, rosemary and sage are at their best in autumn, as well aschestnuts and hazelnuts.
Wild mushrooms andtrufflesare arguably at their peak at this time of yearbut, as ever, make sure you know what you're looking for if you're foraging.
Butternut squash, sage and Comté risotto
Air fryer aubergine parmigiana
Pumpkin gnocchi with almond pesto
Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD
Meat
Game season continues into October–sogrouse, guinea fowl, pheasant and wood pigeon are all in plentiful supply, whilevenison is also starting to make an appearance. It's time forautumn lamb too, whichhas a beautiful depth of flavour, perfect for Sunday roasts. October's chillier days are extremely well-suited forcooking hearty meals withduck and goose.
Braised lamb with sweet potato
Pot-roasted guinea fowl with wild mushrooms, prunes andthyme
Venison sausage and wild mushroom traybake
The Dorset Meat Company/loveFOOD
Seafood
October seesthe end of mackerel season. Catches of the month include cod, lemon sole, monkfish, plaice and red mullet. Shellfish-wise, go for crab and oysters. This monthalso marks the return of mussels, which are now in season until late spring.
Mussels in beer with chilli jam
Roasted cod with a coriander crust
Asma's Indian Kitchen/Pavilion Foods
Fruit
Apples, pears and quinces are at their best in October, andit's your last chance to use upthe last of the blackberries,figs and plums. Cranberries start to appear on shelves towards the end of the month.
If you're out and about in the countryside, look for sloes in the hedgerows to use for sloe gin, jelly or syrup.
Spiced pumpkin, olive oil and orange cake
Brioche frangipane apple pudding
Simple Comforts/BBC Books
