As the leaves turn and the nights draw in, October is a truly rewarding month for fresh produce. Here at Ted’s Veg, we believe autumn is the season to savour — not only for hearty dishes and warming soups, but for the burst of flavour that comes from eating fruit and veg at their seasonal best.
Whether you’re topping up your weekly shop or receiving one of our curated October boxes, you’ll discover just how much tastier, nutritious, and satisfying seasonal eating can be.
Why Choose Seasonal Foods?
There’s something special about biting into an apple picked at the height of autumn or roasting root vegetables freshly dug from UK soil. Seasonal produce is fresher, travels less distance, and is often grown to ripen naturally — meaning it packs superior taste and nutrients.
Plus, it’s a delicious way to support local farmers and reduce your environmental footprint.
October’s Top Picks: Fruits and Vegetables in Season
So, what’s in season in the UK this month? October bursts with variety, making it easy to fill your plate with colours, textures, and new ideas.
You’ll find British apples and pears at their crisp, juicy peak — perfect for snacking or baking with a touch of spice. Plums and late blackberries might linger, but apples are the true star of UK orchards as the nights get colder.
Among vegetables, autumn brings a parade of hearty, warming options. Squash and pumpkins are here to steal the show, whether carved for Halloween or simmered into soups. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beetroot are abundant, along with robust crops like potatoes, red cabbages, and kale. Leafy celery and fennel are at their best, bringing fragrance and crunch to autumn salads.
What’s in Each Season?
It’s easy to feel inspired year-round when you plan around what’s at its best. Here’s a quick guide:
- Spring: Asparagus, spring onions, salad potatoes, rhubarb
- Summer: Courgettes, tomatoes, strawberries, oak leaf lettuce
- Autumn: Pumpkins, squash, sweet potato, apples, pears, red cabbage, beetroot, fennel
- Winter: Brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips, swede, hardy apples and pears
For October, fill your basket with the likes of tenderstem broccoli, leafy celery, sweet potatoes, and especially those apples.
Preparing and Storing Your Harvest
To make the most of your autumn haul, try these practical storage and prep tips:
- Root Vegetables: Store in a cool, dark place away from moisture. Don’t wash until you’re ready to eat, as a little earth helps preserve them.
- Squash & Pumpkins: Keep whole at room temperature, and once cut, wrap tightly and refrigerate.
- Apples & Pears: Preferably store them in the fridge to keep them crisp and fresh.
- Leafies like Kale and Cabbage: Refrigerate and use within a week for the best crunch and nutrition.
Letting vegetables and fruit ripen naturally at home can coax out even more flavour. And don’t forget, items like sweet potato and beetroot sweeten further when roasted slowly.
Autumn Flavours: Recipes to Try
Autumn’s bounty shines in comforting dishes. Our favourite? Roasted root vegetables with apple wedges, a bit of olive oil, and plenty of fresh herbs. Or try a simple Apple and Fennel Salad for a crunchy, aromatic lunch.
Another tip: use surplus apples to make a quick compote for porridge or pancakes, and toss any leftover pumpkins into a warming risotto.
Why Ted’s Veg?
At Ted’s Veg, freshness isn’t just a promise, it’s our family tradition. We handpick what goes into our boxes, so you receive produce that’s crisp, flavourful, and at its peak. By choosing us, you’re joining a community of customers who celebrate each season and trust that their delivery will be full of the best British crops.
“Nothing beats opening my Ted’s Veg box and seeing what’s just come into season. The apples are the best I’ve tasted, and my family devours the root veg in soups and stews every week.”
If you’re searching for a convenient way to eat seasonally, our vegetable boxes bring the best of autumn straight to your door.
Eating Well Through the Colder Months
With October’s chill in the air, now’s the perfect moment to embrace wholesome, comforting dishes made with the UK’s freshest fruit and veg. Whether you’re roasting, baking, or stewing, you’ll taste a difference when your ingredients arrive at peak freshness — grown close to home.
Ready to try the season’s best? Ted’s Veg offers a reliable fresh produce delivery service, so you can enjoy the true flavour of autumn — and eat in tune with nature — all year long.
In Summary
Eating seasonally isn’t just a fad; it’s how our grandparents enjoyed the harvest, and it’s still the best way to get the freshest, most nutritious foods. In October, that means pumpkins, apples, root veg, and crisp brassicas — all selected with care at Ted’s Veg.
Discover what a difference freshness makes and welcome autumn’s best to your table.