Goodbye Summer, ‘Hallow’ Autumn

Normally, when we hear the words “Fall” and “Orange,” bats, ghosts and trick-or-treat pumpkins come to mind. But in Australia, our Autumn is a little less spooky and a bit more heartwarming as we move into cooler days and start making warmer dishes.

Plus, with food prices reaching highs almost as bad as paying rent in Mayfair, it’s best to plan ways to pass go and save a few extra dollars when grocery shopping.

As we say goodbye to Summer and our tropical fruits, we should give a warm welcome to our colorful Autumn fruits and veggies:

• Fiery Reds: grapes, strawberries, and rhubarb
• Burnt Oranges: persimmons, carrots, and sweet potatoes
• Sunny Yellows: corn, squash, and potatoes
• Luscious Greens: pears, green beans, and brussel sprouts
• Deep Purples: beetroot, eggplant, and figs
• Earthy Browns and Whites: cabbage, onions, and cauliflower

That being said, if you’re finding it hard to say goodbye to your favorite summer fruits and veggies and want to save money in the long run, consider stockpiling them while they’re still cheap.

Preserving foods through a dehydrator (best for stone fruits) or pickling with salt, vinegar, or oil (best for vegetables) are great options to learn at home. However, these methods are not always the easiest – especially as you need to ensure all water content is removed and limit exposure to air to avoid food poisoning. Freezing your fresh produce when it’s ripe but not soft is probably the easiest way to preserve fruits and veggies without needing to do much before storage. They also retain most of their beneficial nutrients and can help reduce waste during peak season.

To do so, it’s best to put them in small glass airtight containers or small zip-lock bags to make better use of your freezer space. Just be forewarned: they may lose their shape and look a bit scary once defrosted due to the water expanding and breaking their outer skin… so hey, maybe there’s some of that Halloween spirit in Australia after all!

If you’re looking for a more extensive list of all of Autumn’s fruits and veggies, check out these Melbourne, Victoria, seasonal food calendar sites:
Fruits and Vegetables in Season in Melbourne and Victoria – Seasonal Food Guide Australia

Eating Green: Our Guide to Seasonal Food – Environment Victoria