It’s October! What’s in season this month?

🍂 October is here, and as autumn settles in it comes crunchy leaves underfoot, the scent of cinnamon in the air, and kitchens warming up with roasts, bakes, and cosy slow cooked casseroles and stews.

Make the most of October’s seasonal fruit and vegetables, here I’m highlighting some of the best of easy autumn cooking with ingredients which are perfect for stews, roasts, puddings, soups, and Halloween-inspired bakes.

🍎 Fruits

• Apples (Bramley, Cox, Russet), pears (Conference, Comice)
• Figs, blackberries, plums, quince, grapes, elderberries
• Crabapples, damsons, sloes (great for preserves and infusions)

🥬 Vegetables

• Roots: Beetroot, carrots, parsnips, swedes, turnips, celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes
• Brassicas: Kale, cabbage (red, Savoy), Brussels sprouts, broccoli
• Others: Leeks, fennel, celery, chicory, chard, spinach, lettuce, pak choi
• Squashes: Pumpkin, butternut, acorn, marrow
• Beans & greens: Runner beans, French beans, watercress, rocket

🌿 Herbs & Foraged Finds

• Fresh herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, chives, mint, marjoram
• Wild mushrooms: Chanterelles, ceps, puffballs, black trumpets
• Other wild treats: Elderberries, sloes, crabapples

🍽️ Mains & Savoury Dishes

• Sausage and cider casserole – rich and warming with apples, onions, and mustard
• Venison pie with chestnuts and mushrooms – gamey and indulgent, perfect for chilly evenings
• Pumpkin and sage risotto – creamy, aromatic, and full of autumn colour

🥗 Starters & Lighter Plates

• Salt-baked celeriac wedges with crispy capers – earthy and crisp
• Wild mushroom and taleggio polenta – creamy and comforting with a deep umami hit
• Pear and Roquefort tarte tatin – sweet and savoury starter with a French twist

🍰 Desserts & Bakes

• Apple and blackberry crumble with macadamia topping – classic with a nutty crunch
• Brûléed rice pudding cake with pear compote – nostalgic with a caramelised twist
• Fig chutney with orange and cinnamon – perfect for cheeseboards or toasties

🐟 Seafood Specials

• Steamed mussels with cider, leeks and chorizo – briny and bold
• Steamed cod with curried mussels and carrots – aromatic and elegant
• Squid stew with butter beans – hearty and Mediterranean-inspired

We’ll be back in November with cozy classics and holiday inspiration.