September gives us a brief overlap between summer and fall produce, allowing you to cook with the end-of-season blackberries one day, and the first seasonal cranberries the next.
Guide: September seasonal guide for fruits & vegetables
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Berries
Strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry season is ending, so enjoy the last of the bounty (or preserve them for winter)
Stone fruit
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are slowing down this month, with their season only lasting through the end of this month or beginning of October.
Melons
The last of watermelons, cantaloupe, and other melons are around in September. Enjoy them before they are gone until next summer.
Figs
September is in the middle of fig season, which usually lasts into November.
Grapes
Grapes are for more than just snacking. Try roasting them and adding to crostini or salads.
Apples
Peak apple season is here for early and mid-season varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden and Red Delicious. Later season varieties will start showing up at the end of the month, including Braeburn, Granny Smith, and Fuji (any showing up earlier might have been stored from last year, losing quality in texture and flavor).
Guide: best apples for everything from pies to salad
Pears
Peak pear season is here this month as well. Bartlett and Comice pears are great for fresh-eating. Anjou and Bosc hold their shape really well when baked.
Guide: pear & cheese pairing from USA Pears
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries first start to show up in September. Darker red berries are juicier, but not necessarily sweeter. They work out great in stews or when baked.
Pomegranates
Fresh pomegranates show up this month. If you can't find whole pomegranates near you, look for juice that has no added sugar (like POM brand), and seeds in the refrigerated area of the grocer's produce section.
Canning & preserving
This is your last chance to can summer fruit if you want to use it in winter or give it as gifts. Figs and grapes are still around for a while, but berries and stone fruit will be gone after this month.
Guide: How to safely can jams, jellies, and preserves
Fruit produce guides
The produce guides on this site cover selection and storage to get the best fruit at the store or market. Specific topics are covered for each fruit as well, like bitterness in blackberries and how to fix it, or how to substitute nectarines for peaches.
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