We are so lucky in Essex County to be surrounded with locally grown produce. Eating seasonally is wonderful because not only is the produce fresh and full of flavour, it’s also a great way to save money!

Here are a couple of my fall favourite recipes, all made with produce I picked up from Anna‘s this week!

Homemade Tomato Soup 

Ingredients

• 8-10 tomatoes – use ripe, in-season tomatoes (or 8 cups of puréed tomatoes)
• 2 onions finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups of beef broth
• Two shredded carrots
• One shredded stalk of celery
• One shredded zucchini
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup of milk
• salt & pepper to taste
• fresh basil leaves and sour cream to serve

Instructions
In a large pot, sauté the onions in some olive oil until they are translucent. Add the garlic and basil and fry for 30 seconds. Add in the puréed tomatoes, and all the other ingredients.

1. Lower the heat and cover the pot. Allow to simmer for 60 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and blend the soup with an immersion blender.
3. Add the milk and season to taste.
4. Serve the tomato soup with a swirl of sour cream and fresh basil leaves….and grilled cheese.

Acorn Squash

Ingredients

• 1 acorn squash, cut in half and scooped/seeded
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup)
• (optional) 1/4 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped 

Instructions

1. Place the squash halves on a baking sheet with the scooped holes facing up and divide the butter and brown sugar between the holes.
2. Bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven until tender, about 30-45 mins.
3. Let cool for 10 minutesbefore serving.

Note: Baking time may vary depending on the size of the squash.

Baked Apple Crisp

Ingredients

Apple filling

• 8 cups of sliced apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Crumble Topping

• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup butter 

Instructions

1. Pre heat oven to 400F. Lightly butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
2. Combine all ingredients for the apple filling in a large bowl. Evenly spread in the casserole dish.
3. Combine oats, flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Melt butter and add to mixture.
4.  Evenly spread the crumb topping over the apple filling. Bake for around 30 minutes, or until golden. Allow to sit on the counter for 20 minutes before serving. 

I hope you enjoyed my fall favourites!  Leave your delicious fall favourites recipe in the comments!