Seasonal fruit and veg are those that are ripe and ready to harvest at a particular time of year. Foods can be defined as either globally seasonal (produced in season before being transported and eaten by people across the world) or locally seasonal (produced in season and transported to other areas in the same climate zone and eaten).

For example, in Scotland, strawberries are in season over the summer, this is when we typically buy and eat them. Over winter they are not in season so you may not find Scottish strawberries in the supermarket. There are other parts of the world that may be able to grow strawberries at this time which could be imported, meaning you might still find fresh strawberries all year round. Strawberries can also be grown in greenhouses that are able to control the light, temperature and water conditions the plants are exposed to. This could be done in the UK all year round but may use more energy and resources than growing them “naturally”.

What is in season in Autumn?

During the autumn months (September, October and November) the fruits and vegetables that are in season include:

Fruit

• Apples
• Pears
• Raspberries

Vegetables

• Beetroot
• Broad Beans
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Celeriac
• Celery
• Chilies
• Courgette
• Cucumber
• Horseradish
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Pak Choi
• Parsnips
• Pumpkin
• Radish
• Runner Beans
• Shallots
• Swede
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips
• Winter Squash

How do you store seasonal food?

Storing your food correctly can help to ensure that it stays fresh for as long as possible. Most of the seasonal fruits and vegetables listed will do best when stored in the fridge in their original packaging, however onions, squash, pumpkin, turnips and suede will do better in a cool, dark place. You may want to try preparing your vegetables and freezing them so they last longer and can be added to a meal quickly when required.

To limit your food waste even further, save the peels and off cuts of vegetables to make vegetable stock or have a go at regrowing a carrot top by placing it in water near a window. You can try the green shoots in salads or add them into pasta sauces.

What are some recipes using seasonal food for autumn?

St Paul’s Youth Forum (Instagram: @stpaulsyouthforum or Twitter: @StPaulsYF) kindly shared their recipes for making lentil soup and apple crumble pie, both using seasonal fruit and veg.

Lentil Soup

Make a delicious lentil soup using this recipe from St Paul's Youth Forum. Download the PDF below for the full list of ingredients and method.

Lentil soup recipe

Apple Crumble Pie

Make a mouth-watering apple crumble pie using this recipe from St Paul's Youth Forum. Download the PDF below for the full list of ingredients and method.

Apple crumble pie recipe

Share your seasonal food recipes

What are your favourite ways to use seasonal fruits and vegetables?

Share your recipes with us via Instagram (@glasgowsciencecentre) or on Twitter (@gsc1).