Try these northeast Florida seasonal fruits to make a delicious fall-inspired fruit salad for an easy addition to your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks.
Apples: Apples are a great source of fiber, with one small apple meeting over 17% of your daily fiber needs. They possess great antioxidant, cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-asthma, and blood sugar-reducing attributes. Slice them up as part of a fruit salad or to add to a green salad, or eat as is for an on-the-go snack.
Cranberries: Cranberries have a variety of nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, manganese, vitamin K, and vitamin E. It is suggested that cranberries offer prevention against urinary tract infections, and anti-inflammatory benefits for the cardiovascular and digestive systems. Be careful if you’re choosing these tiny fruits in their dried form; look for ones with minimal or no sugar added.
Oranges: Oranges are known for being vitamin C powerhouses – in fact, one glass of orange juice is more effective than a vitamin C supplement! Vitamin C is the most prevalent water-soluble antioxidant in the human body, which is why the vitamin C in oranges can help resist cancer, inflammation, and high cholesterol. Additionally, vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron in the body, making orange juice pair perfectly with the spinach in this recipe!
Pears: Pears are great sources of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support. Some studies suggest consuming pears lead to decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Additionally, compared to other fruits, pears can have better digestibility and decreased allergic response in sensitive individuals.
Pomegranates: Known for their antioxidant strength, pomegranates provide a diverse amount of health benefits. These little seeds can fight breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer; work in Alzheimer’s disease prevention; protect the arteries; protect our teeth; and lowers blood pressure and the LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Pumpkin: Pumpkin is low in fat, but high in fiber and vitamin A. These nutrients, along with various phytonutrients, can protect both our eyes and our skin and mucus membranes.
Tangerines: Tangerines are very low in calories but are very high in nutrients like soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and other various phytonutrients. Being a rich source of these antioxidants, tangerines can help with wound healing, anti-cancer activity, and more. Plus, since they have a thinner peel, they’re easier to peel and eat as a quick on-the-go snack.
Ginger: is also seasonal to northeast Florida this time of year, so toss your fresh fruit with some ginger and freshly-squeezed orange juice for zesty treat! Try combining diced apples, pears, and pomegranate arils with the ginger and orange juice combo, and you’ll have a tasty fall fruit salad for any time of day!
Need Help Finding Locally Grown Produce?
Head over to the North Florida Farmers Market page, there you can find a farmers market in your local area. I love our local farmers markets…the produce is so much fresher than at a super market, as it’s been picked at the optimal time and you can really taste the difference.