The month of October is the first full month of autumn in the United States. The weather is beginning to cool down across the country, and the produce section is shifting, too. Use this seasonal produce guide to keep track of what is in season in October when you’re shopping in the grocery store this month!
Fall produce is ready for showtime! Late summer stone fruit like peaches and plums are still hanging around in early October, so make the most of them while they’re here. It’s also a good time to go apple picking or to visit a pumpkin patch, and there are a ton of fall favorite veggies that are ripe and ready to be a part of your dinner table.
Want to explore more months of the year? Check out the other monthly seasonal produce guides here.
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🖼️ seasonal foods infographic for October
Here’s a handy infographic to showcase some of the peak season produce available in October. Save this image for all your trips to the farmers’ markets this month, or pin it for later!
📃 fruits & veggies in season in October
Here’s a full list of all the fresh produce that’s available this time of year. Some of the following fruits and veggies are available year-round, but the cooler weather of October makes this the best time for a lot of other autumn produce, like apples and leafy greens such as kale!
what fruit is in season in October:
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Grapes
- Kiwi
- Passion Fruit
- Peaches
- Pears
- Persimmons
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Raspberries
what vegetables are in season in October:
- Acorn squash
- Beets
- Butternut squash
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Kale
- Leeks
- Onions
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Spaghetti squash
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
✨ October ingredient spotlight & recipe share
Here’s a spotlight list of October fruits and vegetables and some links to recipes for inspiration!
Want more recipe inspo? 👀
Drop me a comment and let me know what you’re looking for! I run this site by myself, and I’m here to help YOU stay inspired! I’d be thrilled to help develop a recipe just for you!
This month is all about all things pumpkin! Whether you want to carve them or bake them, there’s plenty of this seasonal squash to go around!
Most people use canned pumpkin, but now’s the perfect time of year to work with roasting your own fresh pumpkins! Don’t just think of pies when you think of pumpkin– it’s a fun ingredient to incorporate into beverages, too. If you love pumpkin spice lattes check out these pumpkin coffee cubes that will add a dose of fall-flavor to your homemade coffee in a snap. I also have a collection of pumpkin drink recipes to explore!
Greens like kale, chard, and spinach are showing up again in markets as the weather cools off.
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While considered to be bold winter greens, kale, chard, and spinach begin to show up in markets again in early fall. These dark leafy greens work perfectly in salads and side dishes, but you can also turn them into smoothies and sauces, too! Another great way to use up these fall and winter greens is adding them to pesto, spreads, or dips!
Root vegetables like carrots and parsnips are prime produce in October!
These vegetables make the perfect side dish when roasted, but you can also turn them into sauces and dressings, like with this carrot miso salad dressing. They partner beautifully with bright, fruity flavors like apples and pomegranates in salads, too. Another clever way to enjoy these vegetables is puréeing them as an alternative to mashed potatoes!
Sure, you can eat an apple on its own, but they are also perfect for adding to your fall recipes, both sweet and savory!
Sure, there are classic recipes to enjoy the full flavor spectrum of autumn apple varieties, like crisps and apple pie. You can also make your own homemade applesauce to enjoy on its own or in smoothies. A more inventive way to use apples is in homemade liquor infusions. Apple-tinis are usually made with garish green liqueurs, but when you infuse your own green apple vodka, they are immediately elevated!
Kiwi may seem like a summer fruit, but prime kiwi season for US-Based crops is October through May!
And if you’re living in a southern or coastal location in the United States, you might still be craving warm-weather beverages! Kiwi is perfect for incorporating into drinks, which is made easy thanks to this kiwi simple syrup recipe. You can also enjoy kiwi in a fruit salad or fruit tart!
🟠 persimmons – sweet + seasonal!
how to pick persimmons: Fuyu persimmons (squat and tomato-shaped) should be firm and crisp, with deep orange color. Hachiya persimmons (acorn-shaped) must be completely soft and jelly-like to eat. When firm, they’re extremely astringent!
storage tips: Store Fuyu persimmons at room temperature if you’re eating them within a few days, or refrigerate for up to a month. Hachiya persimmons can be ripened at room temperature until completely soft (this can take 1-2 weeks!), then frozen whole for up to 6 months. The flesh scoops out beautifully when they’re partially thawed!
flavor profile: Slightly sweet, mellow, and totally unique! The flavor is sort of a mix between a honey-covered apricot, mango, and melon, and they’re super sweet when fully ripe. It’s one of those ingredients that makes you feel fancy without trying too hard.
preparation: Fuyu persimmons can be eaten like an apple—just wash and slice! Hachiya persimmons should be cut in half and the flesh scooped out with a spoon once they’re fully soft.
recipe ideas for persimmons:
simple syrup
If you’re new to this seasonal fruit, try making a persimmon simple syrup! Once you make the syrup, you’ll have an easy way to enjoy an endless variety of custom persimmon drinks.
quick + easy jam
This easy homemade persimmon jam uses just 3 ingredients and no added pectin, for a quick fruity jam that’s absolutely perfect for persimmon season!
💬 Let me know in the comments what October produce you’re looking forward to!
The seasons are starting to shift across most of the United States in October from summer to fall, but the produce aisles are packed with bountiful options all month long. Are there any other October ingredients you’d like to know more about? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll add on to this post!
