What’s in season in October?

October in season; a time for celebrating with food

I love how food is so interwoven into our culture, that just by looking at what is coming into season, we can immediately get a sense of what cultural occasions and feasts are approaching.  This month, pumpkins will be carved, the first cranberries will be purchased by organised Christmas cake makers and I for one, will be getting hold of some chestnuts to roast (although sadly, not over an open fire)…

Fruit

Clementines

Cranberries

Quince

Clementines and cranberries – could Christmas be coming? 🙂

Veg & Herbs

Kale 

Pumpkin

Sweet Potato

Sprouts

Did you know that 1st October was National Kale Day?  It’s not a vegetable that’s overly common – if you haven’t used it before why not give it a try this month?

Meat & Fish

Mussels

Duck

It’s quite tricky to get hold of fresh mussels unless you’re lucky enough to live near the sea, or a fishmonger.  If you can though, then do!  They taste of fresh, salty sea air and despite being a bit intimidating, are actually oh so simple to prepare and cook.  Just the addition of some simple ingredients – perhaps some white wine, garlic, parsley and cream, and you’ve got yourself a pretty heavenly dish.  Oh – and don’t forget crusty bread for dipping!

Foraging

Chestnuts!

Once chestnuts are in season, you know that Christmas is just around the corner 🙂  When I was little, we lived in a house with a gorgeous open fire (well, I thought it was gorgeous because I was nine and didn’t have to clean and re-make it everyday…) and one of my most cherished memories of Christmas time was roasting chestnuts on great skewers and cracking through their tough shells till our fingers hurt, but it didn’t matter because the soft, sweet nut inside was worth it.  Even now, anything with chestnuts in, makes me happy.

What do you think?

What foods do you love that are in season in October?  Let me know in the comments!