Autumn is a great season. Okay, we may have lost the summer sun but there’s something magical about the leaves changing color on the trees, and the cozy feeling you get returning home after a long walk. Along with the colorful display that nature provides, there are the culinary delights that come hand in hand with the comfort foods of the colder seasons.

November

The start of November can see pumpkins being sold off in abundance as the supermarkets fail to sell all the stock before Halloween. Pumpkins aren’t just good for carving wonderful designs into, they’re also a great ingredient for cooking. According to a recent poll by food charity Hubbub, out of the 24 million pumpkins bought this year in the UK, 12.76 million will be carved but not eaten, and furthermore, 42% of people asked didn’t realise the pumpkin flesh was edible.

Avoid food waste this year and utilize the pumpkin to its full potential! Try collecting the seeds, washing, and drying them, adding seasoning of your choice, and then roasting them on a tray in the oven; they make for a healthy and tasty snack. The pumpkin flesh can be used in a variety of dishes too, why not try, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie or even adding pumpkin to a risotto for something a little different? November also lends itself to the UK tradition of bonfire night, where toffee apples, chilli con carne and parkin are enjoyed whist watching fireworks light up the night sky.

December

It goes without saying that December is the month of food. Christmas brings with it a whole host of culinary delights that can be enjoyed throughout the month. Why not try cooking up a storm in the kitchen this year, from the full works on Christmas day to mince pies or sausage rolls in the run up to the 25^th? December is the month for visiting friends and family too, so be sure to make plenty of food to share and avoid disappointed faces.

Storing food is as important as making enough and according to a recent survey by the fitted furniture company, Hammonds, 70% of the UK public are unsure on how to correctly store food items. Six in ten people are storing their eggs on the counter when they will keep longer if stored in the fridge and over half of the UK public admit to storing tomato ketchup in the cupboard, when it’s recommended it should be kept in the fridge to increase longevity. How to store eggs and ketchup may be an ongoing debate, but worryingly 2 in 10 people admitted to storing meat and dairy incorrectly. If you are unsure on how to store food this season, ask an expert to prevent illness.

Avoiding unnecessary food waste, storing your food correctly and making enough are all important factors to look out for this winter but it’s also important to enjoy the food and the season.

What are your favorite fall and winter foods?

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