What's in Season in October? UK Produce

With October comes some of the most celebrated flavours and scents of autumn – squash, cinnamon, apples and log fires. It’s an atmospheric month with crisp, misty mornings, fiery colours and crunchy fallen leaves. October sees us digging out the layers we packed away during summer and making the most of the days as the evenings begin to draw in.

We recently asked our community what their favourite thing about autumn was. Cosy nights in topped the list with people looking forward to curling up indoors, lighting a few candles and slowing down.

Here’s an ode to October and everything to look forward to this month.

What produce is in season in October?

While fruit is less abundant in October, aside from apples, pears, quince and the last of the blackberries, there are heaps of hearty vegetables to enjoy. Squash and pumpkins immediately spring to mind for some of the best seasonal vegetables in October, but don’t miss carrots, parsnips, marrows and wild mushrooms. Sloes are also in season, depending on the weather. Sloes are traditionally picked after the first frost if you’re making sloe gin. You can also forage and roast chestnuts in October.

Fruit in season in October:

Apples
Pears
Quince
Blackberries
Sloes (depending on the weather)

Vegetables in season in October:

Leeks
Kale
Chard
Chilli
Pumpkin
Squash
Wild mushrooms
Marrow
Broccoli
Carrot
Celery
Beetroot
Cauliflower
Parsnip
Swede
Shallots
Horseradish

Seasonal spotlight: butternut squash

Sweet, tender butternut squash offers endless options for the seasonal cook. Stuffed, baked, blitzed or roasted, it’s a seasonal star and there are countless recipes worth trying. Butternut squash pairs perfectly with sage and cheeses such as feta and gruyere, but also carries spices like cumin and chilli well. It’s also high in fibre, but low in calories.

The versatility of butternut squash means it works just as well in soups as it does starring in gratin, pasta dishes, galettes, risotto, warm salads and curries.

Recipe inspiration for October:

Butternut squash and caramelised onion galette (substitute fontina for gruyere cheese if needed)
Butternut squash gratin
Butternut squash macaroni cheese
Roasted squash and cous cous salad
Pain au chocolat pudding with pears and peanut butter
Rosé poached pears
Black butter frangipane and apple tart
Roasted chestnut and mushroom risotto recipe

You may also like our list of the best seasonal recipe books.

How to celebrate October

There are so many ways to celebrate the season with our slow living ideas for autumn. A highlight for many is enjoying the often fleeting changing colours. Here are some of the places regarded as the best to visit for autumn colours in the UK: