Warm Up to These 3 Vegetables this Fall

The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of fall is pumpkin spice lattes, crisp leaves, and turkey dinners. However, there are so many more things to love about this season.

Fall is the perfect time for cozy sweaters, hearty soups, and savory stews! So what better way to enjoy the changing colors than by cooking up some healthy veggies?

It is time to start enjoying more vegetables. It is getting colder. You would want your meals to heartier and more filling to warm you straight up.

Soups, casseroles, and stews laced with fall-time vegetables are perfect for the cold weather. It doesn’t hurt that you make these already filling dishes even healthier.

Below are three of the best three fall vegetables that you should include in this year’s grocery list and menu:

• Butternut Squash
• Sweet Potatoes
• Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash

Forget carrots, pumpkin-spiced everything. Butternut squash is the top fall vegetable. It is low in fat and calories, has many nutrients, and its creamy texture makes it perfect for soups.

It’s easy to turn this recipe into a tasty soup that you and your family can enjoy anytime. Butternut Squash is a versatile squash that can be enjoyed in many different ways.

Want to harvest your own butter squash by fall? Then follow these tips:

1. Plant butternut squash seeds in the spring or 12 weeks before the fall frost.
2. Harvest when the fruit is about 8 inches long and 4-6 pounds.
3. Cut off the stem and place it in a cool, dry area to store for later use.

Also, butternut squash can be planted no sooner than two weeks after the last expected frost in your area. You can plant squash 12 weeks before the first fall frost.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a staple of almost every meal, and they’re inexpensive, packed with nutrients, and surprisingly filling. Sweet potato is lower in carbohydrate content than a white potato.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to discover the deliciousness of sweet potatoes. They’re not just for holidays anymore! Sweet potatoes are delicious in many ways, from French fries to mashes or frying.

Want to plant sweet potatoes for the fall? Check out these planting tips:

1. Plant your sweet potato in a container with drainage holes.
2. Fill the pot with soil and water it well.
3. Place the sweet potato on top of the soil, leaving at least 1 inch between each one.
4. Cover the roots of your sweet potatoes with more soil to prevent them from drying out, and cover them up with mulch or straw for protection.

To harvest sweet potatoes:

1. Dig up your sweet potatoes
2. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the potatoes
3. Place them in a dark, dry place for two weeks to cure
4. Store them in a cool, dry place

Brussels Sprouts

People either absolutely love or hate Brussels sprouts. I personally love them and think they’re delicious!

Brussels sprouts are a type of cabbage that is long-season and hardy. They have a sweet, nutty, smoky flavor that’s hard to resist.

It tastes somewhat like cabbage, just a bit milder. Brussels sprouts have a crisp, crunchy exterior and soft and tender interior.

Want to grow Brussels sprouts? Here are some quick tips below:

1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden.
2. Prepare the soil by adding compost or manure to it and then digging it up with a shovel.
3. Put down some straw or hay around the Brussels Sprouts plants to help keep them warm during winter.
4. Plant the Brussels Sprouts seedlings about eight inches apart from each other in rows that are about two feet apart from each other
5. Water them well after planting and then every day for at least five days afterward.

Time of year is a key factor. These three fall vegetables are most accessible this time of year. Butternut squash, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts can be made in several different ways, and what is even better, they would fit your budget.

Nevertheless, they are by no means all the ones you should consider. Some other excellent fall vegetables to enjoy include yams, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and pumpkin.

In fact, pumpkin can also replace certain ingredients in your baked dishes to make them lower fat, including cakes and cupcakes – once again, vegetables save the day!