ItÕs no question that the cooler months of the holiday season offer up some of the best cuisine of the year. Fall is a wonderful a time of harvesting whatÕs been growing and eating foods that are designed to give you warm feelings inside. Do we really need to wait for sweaters and boots to start enjoying the cinnamon warmth and nutmeg goodness of our favorite fall foods? May it never be! The cold weather may not arrive in Wilmington for another few weeks, but that won’t stop us from partaking in these favorite fall foods!
1. Pumpkin Everything
We couldnÕt leave pumpkin off the list. This flavorful vegetable has been recognized as much more than a porch decoration over the years. Pumpkin recipes have ranged from pies and desserts to smoothies, soups, casseroles and everything in between. And donÕt forget about the pumpkin spices lattes! It almost wouldnÕt be fall without the staple coffee drink, now affectionately referred to as Òthe PSL.Ó At the Tidal Creek Co-op Caf, you can order the Real Pumpkin Spice Latte, with a mix specially crafted by our in-house chefs, and avoid all the unhealthy preservatives and additives of a typical coffee house PSL. You can get it made dairy and soy-free, too!
Pro Tip: Try using organic canned pumpkin in your recipes this year instead of the conventional canned stuff. The consistency is much smoother, more flavorful, and closer to what you would get if you harvested and canned it yourself!
2. Hot Chocolate
Take a break from the coffees and teas for a much sweeter treat. Hot chocolate is one of those wonderfully versatile drinks that can be customized to satisfy almost any taste. For a flavorful twist, try a few sips of dark hot chocolate with a sprinkle of cayenne, or add a drizzle of caramel and a sprinkling of peppermint. The baristas at the Tidal Creek Co-op Caf are especially creative when it comes to Hot Chocolates and can custom make yourÕs using local pastured cowÕs milk, soy milk, almond milk, or whatever milk you like!
3. Chili
Whether you prefer your chili vegetarian-style or take a more carnivorous approach, this hearty dish is more than enough to make you forget the possibility of oncoming wintery weather. ThereÕs no end to the ways to create your own signature chili. To get the most out of the amazing fall local produce in Wilmington, try adding some pumpkin chili or other squash-based chili recipe to your dinner rotation.
4. Apples & Pears
Cake, pie, cider, stuffed, baked, or even fresh off the treeÉ foods created with fresh apples and pears have the same crisp ending that the autumn air brings. Apples also come in lots of varieties and last for months when picked fresh, making them a prefect and practical fall staple food to keep stocked in the kitchen over the holidays. No time to visit the apple orchard? We’ve got you covered. Pick up of some of the freshest local produce in Wilmington at Tidal Creek for some amazing tasting fall confections!
5. Squash
This list would be a lot longer if we tried to highlight all the different types of squash, but the takeaway here is that they are amazing and varied. Spaghetti squash makes a perfect gluten-free alternative to regular pasta and can be a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. Yellow, butternut, zucchini, the possibilities are endless!
What fall foods are you loving this year? Share your recipes in the comments below! If there are any local or organic ingredients you can’t find at the regular grocery store, feel free to stop by Tidal Creek and let us help you find it. Tidal Creek Co-op is a health food store in Wilmington provides a large selection of health and specialty foods, along with local produce and products from farmers in the Wilmington community. To find out more about shopping at Tidal Creek, check out our Owner benefits page to read about the special discounts and rewards that help you save money on staying healthy.
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