The fall is breezing in and soon summer will be a distant memory….No need to fret (or freeze)!  There are many exciting fall activities that can be enjoyed outdoors- it will just take one more layer of clothingJ 

Since we have discovered the fun of cooking, what better way to do so than with fresh ingredients that you can find at your local farmer’s market! 

Most farmers’ markets are usually open until the end of October so there is still plenty of time to make a trip and get busy planning a fall feast!  Among the produce you’ll find in season this time of year include: Apples, Squash, Garlic, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Swiss Chard, Pumpkin, Pears, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Ginger, Cauliflower and Figs. 

You can throw together a simple sauté of garlic, squash, swiss chard, and mushrooms tossed with a little olive oil and salt…. serve it with a grilled chicken breast and you’ve got a tasty and healthy fall meal!  For the more experienced- try your hand at a basic apple pie recipe, you’ll be sure to have all the neighbors lining up at your door!  For more ideas check out our FK DVD! 

For all those fearless garlic lovers…It’s garlic season!  Garlic is an extremely healthy food that is found in abundance during the fall months at your local farmer’s markets and grocery stores.  There are many claims for the  fearless garlic bulb-  an anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial agent. It also is believed  to be an immune system booster with many anti-inflammatory properties…but one thing we do know- it can be a tasty addition to many dishes. 

For a great and simple fall treat try my favorite- roasted garlic.  All you need is a head of garlic (the whole thing), olive oil, tin foil, sharp knife and an oven or toaster oven (not a toaster!)

-Preheat oven to 425 degrees

-Peel the excess layers of the garlic bulb but leave the individual skins of the garlic cloves in tact

-With a sharp knife cut the pointed top of the garlic head (about ½ inch) so the individual garlic cloves are revealed

-Enclose the garlic head in a tinfoil and drizzle with a few teaspoons of olive oil and cover completely with the tinfoil

-Stick it in the oven for about 45 minutes or until the top of the garlic is slightly brown and soft throughout

This can be eaten many ways- most simply spread on a piece of French bread…once the cloves have cooled you can simply squeeze out the soft garlic cloves and enjoy!  Roasted garlic is much more mild than raw garlic or even sautéed garlic, so don’t be afraid to try this healthy and tasty food!