Home Seasons Fall
Christine RukavenaUpdated: Nov. 02, 2023
Nutritious, healthy, heartwarming, cozy...there are a million reasons to love the fresh fall vegetable harvest.
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For special meals, here’s a fantastic side dish that even children will love. The sweet maple syrup and smoky bacon complement the Brussels sprouts perfectly. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Leeks in Mustard Sauce
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Leeks have a delicious oniony flavor and they are wonderful in this side dish. The mustard sauce compliments the leeks flavor well and it goes well with many main dishes.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Pecan Sweet Potato Bake
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The luscious sweet potato pecan recipe was handed down through my husband’s family, and it’s become a tradition for me to serve it during the holidays. Everyone loves it! —Nanci Keatley, Salem, Oregon
Butternut Squash Custard
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My husband first tasted this comforting casserole more than 10 years ago when he was still my fiance. Having enjoyed it so much, he said I needed to offer it at every Thanksgiving dinner. I was happy to oblige!—Maura Calusdian, Londonderry, New Hampshire
Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
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A spicy homemade seasoning blend shakes up everyone’s favorite finger food in this rendition of sweet potato fries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chard with Bacon-Citrus Sauce
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Chard is a leafy veggie often used in Mediterranean cooking. I dress it with orange juice and bacon, and the family gobbles it up. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
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In an effort to add more greens to our meals, I created this dish—and my kids eat it up. The crispy salami is the "hook." —Jennifer Mcnabb, Brentwood, Tennessee
Cashew Cauliflower and Leek Gratin
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My family loves this cauliflower gratin. It's different than scalloped potatoes and healthier with the added vegetables, and the cashew milk and cashew nuts add richness. Eliminate the white wine, if desired. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Learn how to store cauliflower the right way.
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My grandkids were never huge fans of cauliflower, but the bacon makes a big difference in this dish. They like it even more with golden cauliflower instead of white. — Patricia Hudson, Riverview, Florida
Carrot and Kale Vegetable Saute
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Thanks to fresh veggie dishes like this one, I almost forget I'm wheat- and gluten-free. Bacon adds another layer of flavor and depth to this gorgeous side dish. —Darla Andrews, Schertz, Texas
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
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The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Slow-Cooker Garlic-Rosemary Cauliflower Puree
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I love this delicious fake take on mashed potatoes, and it doesn't heat up my kitchen! Treat leftovers as you would leftover mashed potatoes and make mock potato pancakes. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Baked Acorn Squash with Blueberry-Walnut Filling
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I absolutely love squash—and I've filled it with so many variations of savory stuffing over the years. But my favorite way to stuff it is with an unexpected fruit filling, like this sweet apple-blueberry one. —Bruce Newcomer, Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Totally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Crunchy Honey-Glazed Butternut Squash
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I'm now required to bring this to every family gathering during the holidays because it's so awesome! Why not start a new tradition for your family? —Sarah Farmer, Culinary Director, Taste of Home
Waffle-Iron Acorn Squash
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I love to get the kids involved in cooking, and this squash is so simple even a small child can cook it with minimal adult supervision. The recipe is fun, fast and no-fuss, and doesn't use valuable oven space before big family meals. —Donna Kelly, Orem, Utah
Apple, Butternut and Sausage Dressing
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I'd heard about using squash in dressing, so I combined four things I love into one dish: apples, butternut squash, bacon and maple sausage! Now, it's one of the most requested dishes during the holidays. —Brenda Crouch, Ansley, Nebraska
Sausage, Kale and Squash Bread Pudding
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Who said bread pudding has to be for dessert? I love to serve this for brunch or dinner when I want something hearty and a little unusual. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Roasted Parmesan Carrots
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Mom always said that eating carrots helps your eyes. Rich in beta carotene, carrots not only support health but also taste amazing when roasted and tossed with Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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I wanted healthy alternatives to my family's favorite recipes. Pumpkin, cauliflower and thyme make an amazing dish. You'll never miss those plain old mashed potatoes. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois
Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
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Sure, it’s simple and healthy but, oh, this roasted broccoli is also delicious. Cutting the stalks into tall trees turns the ordinary veggie into a standout side dish. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida
Thyme-Roasted Vegetables
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The smell of our house as this is baking calls everyone to dinner. Normally, it serves eight, but my husband's been known to have more than just one serving at a time. It's that good..—Jasmine Rose, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels Sprouts
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While traveling to Taiwan, I had the pleasure of trying a unique vegetable dish that included fresh pumpkin. It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania
Maple-Glazed Parsnips on Kale
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This recipe is special to me because it allows me to use delicious farm-fresh produce in a way my family loves. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Favorite Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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My family begs me to make mashed sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love this recipe because it can be made a day ahead and warmed up before the big meal. —Senja Merrill, Sandy, Utah
Parmesan Kale Casserole
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I tried coming up with a creative way to use kale, and the result was a cheesy casserole. When my husband sampled it, he absolutely loved it. Bits of summer sausage add heartiness. —Diana Johnson, Auburn, Washington
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Whenever we make a time-consuming entree, we also prepare this quick broccoli and cauliflower side. The veggies are a good fit when you’re watching calories. —Debra Tolbert, Deville, Louisiana
Herbed Butternut Squash
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This is just one of many ways I prepare butternut squash for my two girls. It’s a winter staple in our house. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Parsnip Potato Gratin
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Parsnips don't get much space in the produce section. But their subtle sweetness makes them worth the hunt.—Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash
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This golden, honey-sweetened squash is just as hearty and comforting as your favorite potato dish. With its bright color, it makes an attractive side for special autumn meals. —Bianca Noiseux, Bristol, Connecticut
Originally Published: September 06, 2019
Christine Rukavena
Christine loves to read, curate, sample and develop new recipes as a senior book editor at Taste of Home. A CIA alumna with honors, she creates cookbooks and food-related content. A favorite part of the job is taste-testing dishes. Previous positions include pastry chef at a AAA Five Diamond property. Christine moonlights at a boutique wine shop, where she edits marketing pieces and samples wine far higher than her pay grade.