5 Cozy Fall Side Dishes

By the time summer has wound down many of us have had our fill of corn, tomatoes, and zucchini. The autumn harvest brings a whole new variety of fresh produce ready to change up your fall side dishes and rejuvenate your view on veggies.

Here are 5 favourite fall side dishes for you to add to your meals this season:

1. Squash: Squash comes in many different varieties each with similar flavours, but slightly different textures. There are myriad dishes you can create using squash and you can get as intricate or simple as you like. For example, squash can be sliced (skin and all), drizzled with olive oil and roasted until golden brown and tender. It can be halved and filled with butter and brown sugar or maple syrup, roasted and then coarsely mashed right inside the skin and served with an additional dollop of butter. It can be sliced into fries, deep fried, and tossed with coarse sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. You can create delicious glazes such as pomegranate molasses with a hint of cinnamon or honey and fresh ginger. Squash can also be boiled until tender and mashed with butter and a touch of cream and rum. The possibilities are endless with each one more delicious than the next.
2. Yams/Sweet Potato: The bright orange flesh of yams and sweet potatoes brighten up any fall meal. Sweet potatoes are pure joy simply baked and served with butter. They can be boiled and whipped with coconut milk, butter and a pinch of allspice. They can be roasted with a mix of gold, white and purple potatoes tossed with fresh rosemary, sea salt and olive oil. They are wonderful candied with brown sugar and butter or thinly sliced into chips. Sweet potatoes lend themselves well to aromatic Indian influenced spices such as ginger, cardamom and cinnamon.  They can be sliced into thicker chunks as fries and served with a mayo and chipotle dip. They are also lovely roasted with pineapple and onion or apples and cinnamon. The cheerful orange of a sweet potato is sure to tempt the eyes and please the tummy.
3. Beets: Beets are another one of nature’s best splashes of colour. Beets are often overlooked as an excellent side dish served warm as they are so marvellous in salads and when pickled. However beets can be roasted as part of a root vegetable medley or can stand alone with a touch of olive oil and chives. Beets are also a well kept secret veggie perfect for frying into pretty chips. They can be sliced and braised with a touch of broth and hint of vinegar, onions and garlic or simmered with cabbage and a touch of sweet and sour adding brown sugar, red wine vinegar and broth.
4. Gratin: Gratin is a French side dish that combines small chunks or thin slices of vegetables, cheese and bread crumbs. It is a lovely side dish that is easy to make and even easier to eat. Gratins in the fall are ideal with squash, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and anything you set your mind on using.
5. Cabbage: Cabbage is a very versatile vegetable and you can choose between the lovely red cabbage, head cabbage, Napa cabbage, or the deeper green Savoy cabbage. Cabbage is easy to braise and can be done with apples and onion, bacon and onion, beets, or just in wedges on its own. It also absorbs flavours quite well and is a tangy delight when cooked with red wine vinegar and brown sugar. An old British favourite, Bubble and Squeak is a hearty side dish cooked in a pan and combines cabbage, mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. It is fried in a heavy cast iron pan until deep and golden brown and is ultimate comfort food served in thick wedges beside perfectly roasted meats.

Fall brings new produce to your table with versatile veggies and standby recipes that are sure to please. What fall side dishes are you going to try?