What’s in season at your grocery store?

Local farmers have spent all year working in their fields, preparing the very best fruits and vegetables for you to enjoy during the autumn harvest. In the peak of this colourful, hearty season, their hard work is starting to surface, and it’s the perfect time to take advantage of everything nature has to offer. With so many options available in the produce section, it can be difficult to know what is ripe for the picking.

Whether you’re looking to spice up your cooking or just looking to take advantage of what the season has to offer - know your options and pick the freshest, best tasting ingredients for your kitchen. Foodnetwork.com has listed all the best fruits and vegetables for the fall season, and has included details on how to pick your produce - so you never get a bad apple (or any other bad fruit for that matter)! Here are the best in season fruits and vegetables for autumn: 

Acorn Squash
Look for a squash with a dull, dark green rind that's free of blemishes. It should feel heavy for its size. Keep acorn squash out of the refrigerator. Instead, store it in a cool, dry place. Acorn squash will last at least two months in the right conditions.

Apples
Apples vary from tart to sweet and dense to watery. With over 2,000 varieties to choose from, it can be hard to choose.  Why not try a couple of fall favorites like Macintosh or Honey Crisp? When shopping, choose fresh apples that are firm and unblemished.

Cauliflower
Cauliflower keeps for up to five days in the refrigerator crisper. Look for heads with tightly-packed florets that are free of yellow spots.

Garlic
Truly fresh garlic is a very different thing than the dried out bulbs you sometimes find at the grocery store. The freshest bulbs should feel tight and full and should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Grapes
Fresh grapes are a great for snacking. Check for grapes that look plump and have a "bloom" similar to what you'd find on blueberries.

Mushrooms
Ask your local grocer which mushrooms are particularly good at the moment and avoid the ones that are blemished or look dried out. Store them in a brown paper bag to maintain just the right level of humidity.

Pears
Select pears that are free of blemishes and mushy spots. They will ripen at room temperature and should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Sweet Potatoes
Avoid sweet potatoes which look shriveled or have black spots. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Looking for even more exciting fall fruits and vegetables? Try adding some of these to your shopping cart:
-Belgian endive
-Butternut Squash
-Celeriac
-Figs
-Ginger
-Parsnips
-Pomegranate
-Pumpkin
-Quince
-Swiss chard

Whatever your meal plan is for the fall, make sure to include some of Autumn’s best. Not only are these fruits and vegetables a healthy part of any meal, but they will help unlock flavors your family will definitely enjoy! To read more about the best fruits and vegetables in all of the seasons, visit foodnetwork.com.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_cg_produce_guide

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