Fall Recipes I'm Digging

Fall is here and the markets are lousy with apples, pears, dark greens and leftover summer staples (root vegetables, aging tomatoes). Meanwhile, the first chilly days have flipped my annual Hearty Foods switch -- it's the time of year when it's hard not to snuggle with someone over rich, salty takeout.

I don't belong to a winter CSA, but I'm determined to keep eating fresh through the winter and still, you know, not starve.

Here are a few fall recipes I've been playing with. They're on the heartier side of average and still feature seasonal ingredients.

Sriracha Mint Brussels Sprouts

Cut plump sprouts in half lengthwise and roast with olive oil and salt until slightly browned. Then toss with a combination of sriracha, rice vinegar, brown sugar, fish sauce and chopped mint.

Blueberry Spinach Breakfast Smoothie

In a blender, combine one banana, two cups baby spinach, 1/2 chopped apple or pear, and a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries, top with just enough orange juice or water to blend safely. (Optional: ice cubes or oats for texture.) Grate/chop/liquify away.

Indian Spiced Beets with Lime Yogurt

Adapted from a recent New York Times recipe. Roast cubed, scrubbed beets for 30 minutes or until tender. Toss with a spice mixture including cumin and coriander (I like a masala blend, which adds sweeter flavors like nutmeg, cinnamon and clove). Roast another 10 minutes to toast the spices. Meanwhile, blend yogurt, crushed garlic, salt, lime juice and lime zest. Toss with warm beets or serve liberally on the side.

Mac and Cheese con Leche

OK, so this isn't technically local or even vegetable. But it's a lovely alternative to a fatty casserole dish full of cheese, and it's just as warm and rich. Combine two cups raw pasta with two cups of lowfat milk, cook in a saucepan over medium heat, simmering and stirring, until fully absorbed. Add a pinch of mustard powder (or a tablespoon of mustard) and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir in one cup of your favorite grated cheese combination (I used romano with a soft raw cow for balance), serve as soon as it's melted.