Fall is a beautiful time of the year with colorful leaves and cooler temperatures. There are many seasonal activities you can do in the fall to embrace the season change and create lasting memories with your family and friends.
Apple Picking
In New York, apples are in season from August to October. Rather than purchasing apples from a grocery store, try picking your own apples at an orchard. Many orchards offer a variety of apples, including some varieties that are rare to find in grocery stores. As a bonus to selecting your own apples, you will also get some physical activity in while picking your own apples. As you are picking your apples, consider how many apples you and your family will eat or prepare in recipes prior to spoilage. Apples can remain fresh 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator. It is easy to go overboard and pick too many apples. Try searching online to discover the closest apple orchard to you.
Leaf Peeping
The most colorful and vibrant time of the year is fall. Try going for a hike at your local park to see the colorful leaves. For a souvenir from your adventure, select a few of your favorite colorful leaves to preserve. Preserving leaves is a simple and fun activity for children and adults. Here are instructions on how to preserve your leaves: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/blog/pressing-autumn-leaves
Experiment with Soup
As temperatures are dropping, think about dishes to warm you up when you return from outside. Soup is a dish that is versatile and can be fun to experiment with. Try experimenting with soup recipes with ingredients that are in-season, such as root vegetables, squashes, or pumpkins. For an example of a healthy and tasty soup recipe, check out this Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup recipe from FoodHero: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/blog/pressing-autumn-leaves
What is your favorite activity or recipe to cook in the fall? Let us know in the comments!
