Ahhh the Fall season…cozy sweaters, pumpkin everything, and an excuse to make hot cocoa and soups without fear of being judged. Can you tell it’s my favorite season?
For me, fall time is a cozy and quaint experience that I look forward to every year. Living in Oregon, fall is characterized by trees that dazzle with tints of orange and red, the rain tippity tapping on the roof, and the weather turning from below freezing to hot AF at a moment’s notice (good luck dressing for that sh**). The often stormy weather is a great excuse to stay in, turn on my gas fireplace, and sit by the window with a good book and fuzzy socks.
Fall time during a pandemic has been a little different than past fall seasons, especially for those in the United States. With much of the United States (still) being recommended to isolate as much as possible, traditional US fall activities like going to the pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, and staying cozy with family and friends has turned into a big angsty question mark. With no end in sight, fall for many Americans feels like a day from the Truman Show.
Ok, that was a little dramatic.
Let’s look on the bright side, shall we? Despite everything that’s going on, at least we can cook! We can cook cozy, warm, pumpkin-themed treats, that both fill our stomachs and benefit our mental health. It gives us a chance to use our hands for something more than scrolling on a phone screen and allows us to connect with the food that nourishes us.
Let’s look at a few recipes from the archives that embody fall. These recipes represent comfort and warmth, and they embrace earthy tones, rich flavors, and maybe a little bit of pumpkin spice.
Spiced Pumpkin Coconut Soup
This super simple, autumn-worthy Spiced Pumpkin Coconut Soup is the perfect way to warm up. Jewish inspired, this tangy and slightly spicy soup is the twist you didn’t know you needed on traditional tomato soup. It’s also vegan and dairy-free!
Low-Sugar Oat and Pumpkin Spice Loaf
Pumpkin and autumn go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it’s no surprise that I’ve added the best pumpkin bread to the list. Unlike most pumpkin bread, this one is less sweet and is full of whole grains and nuts, which means it’s full of vitamins and healthy fats.
Peach & Pecan Crisp
I think you can probably guess why this recipe is on the list. Peaches and spices in a skillet with pecans and oats…uhhh brb drooling. I cannot picture a more fall-themed comfort recipe. Don’t have peaches? Try it with apples.
Chickpea Kale Soup
Soups are the key to my heart. Literally the perfect comfort dish on a cold and stormy day. This one happens to be full of veggies too, so it’s really a win-win.
Curry Pumpkin Shakshuka
If you haven’t had Shakshuka before, it’s a need-to-know recipe, especially if you love breakfast or brunch. Spicy, pumpkin-y, and with eggy goodness worthy of #yolkporn, it’s a recipe with everything except a mimosa (so BYOB).
Sage and Pumpkin Hummus
Can you tell I love pumpkin? This unique hummus is the perfect fall-themed dip for any socially distant gatherings you may be hosting this fall. Perfect for that extra 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree that always seems to be leftover after making a pumpkin-themed baked good.
Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is my go-to breakfast because unlike most breakfast recipes, it doesn’t require the use of brain cells before 8 am. This one incorporates, yep you guessed it, PUMPKIN SPICE, because why not?
Turmeric Ginger Lentil Soup
There’s really nothing quite like a bowl of hot soup on a cold and blustery day. And if you live in California…well…crank on that AC baby because we’re still having soup for dinner! This one is hearty too, with lentils and veggies, it’s soup for the belly and the soul.