Do you remember September?
Wait, it’s only early September…still PLENTY of veggies pouring into the market every week. (By the way, this song plays in my head every year, basically all September long. Now it’s your ear-worm. I am sorry. It’s groovy, though! Dance with your veggies…) Look, it’s been a long week (you, too?) and I offered to help Steph with the Market Menu this week and I might be a little goofy-punchy today.
But that’s because the confluence of school getting into full swing, days getting shorter, and the air getting cooler means I’m totally energized by the beautiful veggies that are available this time of year. It’s pretty amazing, because you have the tail-end of (still truly fresh and delicious) summer veggies like peppers and tomatoes, the return of more delicate greens and lettuces, and NEW potatoes, squashes, and various root vegetables. To me, that spells menu inspiration.
Steph and I were chatting about what we love to make and eat this time of year – and we both landed on soups and salads. It’s really a perfect match for that summer-into-fall mood. Maybe we’re not ready to let go of summer’s bounty, but (admit it) we’re kind of excited to see fall colors and maybe even shift our energy level to a different space. The recipes below play off the idea of combining those seasonal vegetables in straightforward, fresh ways. Serve with bread and you’ve got a great lunch or light dinner.
Summer-into-fall minestrone and roasted beet salad with goat cheese
Yukon potato soup (optional add-in: bacon) and vegetarian Italian chopped salad (any sturdy lettuce will work here; salami or other cured meat optional)
Moroccan red lentil harira soup and cucumber pepper salad
Tortilla soup and Mexican cabbage salad
Roasted Thai-inspired carrot soup and cucumber melon salad with mint
What’s that, you say? Pressed for time? Right there with you. How about some hands-off, slow-cooker recipes for weeknights?
Red and Green Chili (great for those market sweet and spicy peppers) and roasted carrot salad
Sweet Potato Soup and arugula and watermelon salad
Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos with Fresh Cabbage Slaw
Got just a bit more time on your hands? Here are some things I love to make when the temperatures start to dip just a bit:
Sauteed Delicata Squash with Parmesean
Roasted vegetable lasagna (you can do it without noodles too)
Spicy green bean stir fry (you could use any protein here)
We hope your fall is getting underway beautifully – and see you at the market!