Yahoo Lifestyle 15 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for That Middle Ground Between Summer and Fall
These recipes make excellent use of the bounty available during this peak transitional time between seasons.
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Once Labor Day comes and goes, it's easy to feel like we're officially in the autumn season. But, in truth, we still have a few more weeks of summer to go! The summer-to-fall middle ground can feel challenging for home cooks who aren't yet ready to bust out their slow cookers and casserole dishes but who are also eager to enjoy some seasonal flavor shifts. These recipes all feature produce that's in season in early September, along with cooking techniques and flavor profiles that pay homage to both summer and autumn.
Grandma's Iron Skillet Apple Pie
Apple pie's close association with fall can't be understated, and in many parts of the United States, early September heralds the start of apple season. This particular recipe, however, calls for an apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet, which gives the dessert a campfire vibe with distinct echoes of summer.
Cranberry Bean Salad
Cranberry beans, also known as Roman beans, are a seasonal September favorite. This recipe combines these substantive legumes with late-summer treats like cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, resulting in a bright and refreshing side dish that expertly straddles the summer-fall line.
Easy Indian-Style Okra
Okra, a vegetable closely associated with Southern cuisine, proves far more versatile than many diners assume. By seasoning fresh sliced okra with cumin, coriander, and ginger, recipe creator CALIGAL76 gives this sautéed side dish a deeply spiced flair that makes it a punchy companion for grilled or roasted meats.
Baked Stuffed Peppers
"Learn how long to cook stuffed peppers in the oven using a shortcut for easy, delicious baked stuffed peppers." —ptownruth
Blackberry Clafoutis
Thanks to its light, custard-like texture, the French dessert known as clafoutis has an undeniably summery feel. The version in this recipe uses blackberries, which are at their peak in September, making this treat a perfect "bridge" pastry for Labor Day weekend and beyond.
Cajun Style Baked Sweet Potato
When baked, sweet potatoes truly live up to their name, developing a caramelized hue and a hint of burnt-sugar flavor. Cajun spices give them a dash of Louisiana flair.
Butternut Squash Tacos
According to recipe writer Heather, "Butternut squash makes for a great taco filling, whether you're eating clean or meat-free. A little garlic and some red pepper flakes make the flavors pop." Keep an eye out for butternut squash at your local farmer's market in the early fall.
Disney's Ratatouille
The French vegetable casserole known as ratatouille is a hearty baked dish, but its starring ingredients include produce that's at its ripest in the late summer and early autumn. Serve with rice, couscous, or your grain of choice for a satisfying, garden-fresh entrée bursting with herbs and aromatics.
Greek Green Bean Salad with Feta and Tomatoes
This crisp and vibrant salad expertly blends the sweetness of tomatoes, the saltiness of feta cheese, and the verdant crunch of seasonal green beans. "This cold green bean salad is one of my favorite salads for a picnic or a barbeque," says recipe writer Gundi.
Tomatillo Soup
In warmer areas of the United States, the tomatillo reaches seasonality in late summer and early autumn. This tart, more vegetal variation of the tomato can stand up to serious spices and seasonings. This recipe for tomatillo soup uses hot peppers, cilantro, and cayenne to highlight the natural flavors of the tomatillo.
Chef John's Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is always a party classic, but by making it with fresh, in-season artichokes, you can take this festive snack to the next level. Replace the suggested canned artichoke hearts with fresh artichoke hearts and enjoy this cheesy, gooey, slightly spicy treat with some crusty bread or tortilla chips.
Fresh Figs and Chicken Thighs in Shallot-Balsamic Reduction
Fresh figs are an elusive ingredient (due to their short harvest season), but early fall proves a prime time to scoop these fruits up. This recipe calls for delicate, floral fresh figs to be simmered with chicken thighs, shallots, and balsamic vinegar, resulting in a dish with sweetness, tartness, and herbaceousness (thanks to the inclusion of rosemary).
Honey Dijon Brussels Sprouts
Traditional roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic, onion, and bacon make an appropriate side dish for the holidays, but this recipe instead uses honey and Dijon mustard as seasonings for Brussels sprouts, which start to show up in seasonal markets in early fall. The result? A side dish that perfectly matches any meats or vegetables that you choose to throw on the grill.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Plum Sauce
In September, balmy weather can sometimes give way to cooler days and nights. In those circumstances, a roasted pork tenderloin can provide a hearty and comforting repast, especially when partnered with a sweet fruit sauce made from seasonal plums.
Grilled Cauliflower
Cauliflower's seasonality spans many months of the year, and this very on-trend vegetable really shines when it's coated in brown sugar and grill seasoning and cooked over an open flame, picking up plenty of char and smokiness.
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