Posted on October 28, 2024 by Van Becelaere Greenhouse

As fall leaves turn vibrant shades of orange, gold, and crimson, autumn invites you to pause and reflect on the fruits of your fall labor. After a season of nurturing your garden, it’s time to celebrate with the bountiful harvest of apples and pumpkins. This fall, let’s explore how you can embrace the season’s offerings and create delicious treats that honor your hard work.

The Joys of Harvesting Apples

Whether you’ve grown a single apple tree or a small orchard, the sight of ripe apples hanging from branches is a reward. Apples are versatile fruit used in many recipes: Savory and sweet, sparking your creativity in the kitchen. Here are some delightful ways to enjoy the fruits of your fall labor harvest:

• Homemade Applesauce
• Classic Apple Pie
• Apple Cider

Homemade Applesauce

Making applesauce is simple and satisfying. Peel, core, and chop your apples, then simmer them in a one-to-one ratio of water and sugar, adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or mace. Transfer the cooked apples into a blender to puree until smooth for a delicious treat you can enjoy warm or cold.

Classic Apple Pie

Nothing says fall quite like a homemade apple pie. Combine sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice. Fill a pie crust with this mixture and bake until golden brown. Serve with vanilla bean ice cream for an irresistible dessert pairing.

Apple Cider

Transform your apples into refreshing apple cider! Press the apples to extract their juice, then simmer with spices like cloves and allspice for a warm drink that fills your home with autumn aromas.

Pumpkin Harvest: More Than Just Decor

While pumpkins are often associated with Halloween decorations, they’re also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Here are some ways to make the most out of your pumpkin harvest:

• Pumpkin Puree
• Pumpkin Soup
• Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Puree

Roast your pumpkins to create homemade pumpkin puree. Begin by cutting the pumpkin in half and removing the seeds and pulp. Then, place the cut side face-down on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, lightly rub the pumpkin rind with extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil and salt, roast it until tender (about 45 minutes to start), and let cool for 45 minutes and peel the outer flesh from the pumpkin, and blend in a food processor until smooth.

Pumpkin Soup

Warm up on chilly evenings with creamy pumpkin soup. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, add your pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, and spices like ginger and nutmeg. Blend until smooth for a comforting dish that embodies fall.

Pumpkin Bread

Bake delicious pumpkin bread by mixing pumpkin puree with flour, sugar, eggs, and spices like cinnamon and cloves. It makes for a moist bread snack for friends or a perfect breakfast treat for the whole family.

Embrace the Fall Season

As you celebrate the fruits of your labor this fall, take time to enjoy the simple pleasures that come from your garden. Host a gathering with friends or family where everyone brings their favorite apple or pumpkin dish to share—showcasing your hard work while fostering a sense of community and togetherness.

The fall season is a time of gratitude and reflection—to appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into gardening throughout the year. By celebrating your apple and pumpkin harvests through cooking and sharing delicious recipes, you’ll create lasting memories while savoring the flavors of autumn.

So grab those apples and pumpkins from your yard, roll up your sleeves, and cook with this year’s apple and pumpkin harvest! The joy of cooking with fresh, homegrown produce is unmatched, and these recipes will surely excite your taste buds.

For all your seasonal garden starters, seeds, perennials, bulbs, mulches, trees, and equipment stop in at Van Becelaere Greenhouse in Pittsburg, Kansas. They also have an onsite feed store.