The shift in seasons brings an opportunity for hearty, comforting meals and harvest-ready vegetables.

With September in full swing, we see a shift in what pops up on the dinner table. Gone are the days of lighter fare—rather, the coming of windier days and lower temperatures allow for heartier meals and the use of robust, seasonal produce. Watermelons and blueberries are quickly replaced by bright apples and pears; vegetables like squash, beets, and Brussels sprouts are at their peak; cheeses are heartier, creamier and indulgently rich. To help you make the most of the autumn season, we scoured the WL Recipe Finder for eight seasonal recipes—check out our faves below!

1. Warm Beet Salad with Charred Mushroom

Although beets are enjoyed year-round, they’re most in season during late summer and early fall. Their naturally sweet flavour pairs well with mushroom and rosemary to create a rustic starter. (Tip: Not all beets are red in colour—they can be found golden, white, as well as multicoloured. When grocery shopping look for firm, smooth bulbs and bright, crisp greens, if still attached).Image Author: Evaan Kheraj

2. Roasted Squash and Kale Caesar Salad

A creative take on a classic—and wildly popular—salad, Chef Campbell Kearns’ Caesar salad recipe calls  for a number of seasonal ingredients: butternut squash, cabbage and pumpkin seeds.

3. Cardamom and Clove Curry with Chickpea-Kale-Onion Pickle

Excerpted from Vij’s Indian: Our Stories, Spices and Cherished Recipes, this cardamom and clove curry features a generous mix of spices to warm up on a cold fall night. Because Kale is such a robust, thick leaf, it ties in perfectly with the dense texture of curry.

4. Creamed Corn with Bacon and Kale 

Comfort food at its finest, this recipe is a heartier way to take advantage of fresh corn before it falls out of season (although canned corn will do in a pinch). Try it paired with homemade fried chicken, cream biscuits and mustardy radish slaw.

5. Roasted Potato and Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon and Boursin

You may think potato salad is best served with summer meals, but the addition of bacon and Boursin adds another dimension to this recipe—while taking advantage of seasonal Brussels sprouts.

6. Roasted Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Tarts

Just like vegetables, cheeses rotate have their seasons. Fresh goat and sheep cheeses are an optimal pick before the end of October. The mixture of squash and goat cheese creates a creamy, surprisingly deep texture in this bite-size tart.

7. Turkey Breakfast Hash

Fall is only beginning, but we’re already dreaming of Thanksgiving dinner. This hearty breakfast pick is a fully-loaded mix of sweet and savoury—without having to skip out on your bacon and eggs.

8. Fisherman’s Pie

An ocean-friendly take of shepherd’s pie by Chef Lucas Harrison, Fisherman’s Pie is a variation of a classic comfort dish that still manages to include a bountiful amount of vegetables and a delicious cream sauce.

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Vincent Plana

Vincent Plana