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Home » Eat what's in season » The practical produce guide: October 2024

The practical produce guide: October 2024

March 12, 2025
October produce in season:Fruits include apples, pears, cranberries, figs, kiwi, grapes, and pomegranates. Vegetables include artichokes, brussels sprouts, celery root, parsnips, hot peppers, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.

October fruits that are in season this month include classics like apples, pears, and cranberries. But keep an eye out for last chance fruits that are almost out of season, like blackberries and some stone fruits.

Other seasonal produce for October includes vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, brussels sprouts, and winter squash. Just like the available fruit, this is your last chance for in-season warm weather vegetables like tomatoes, corn, and summer squash.

Jump to:
  • October fruit
  • October vegetables
  • Recipes for October
  • More seasonal produce guides
October fruit in season: Blackberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, plums, figs, grapes, apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranate, and kiwi.
October fruit seasonal chart

October fruit

As we are enjoying the cooler October season, apples are the perfect autumn fruit. There are early, mid, and late season varieties, and the mid-season apples are what to look for this month.

Other fruits in peak season for October include pears, grapes, cranberries, and pomegranates. Some of the summer fruits are usually still available, depending on the weather and where you live.

Apples in season, how to choose and store
Apples
Blackberries in season from late spring through mid fall
Blackberries
Cranberries in season
Cranberries
Ripe figs in season
Figs
Red and green grapes in season
Grapes
Kiwi in season cut in half to show green flesh
Kiwi
Nectarines are in season from late spring into early fall
Nectarines
Ripe pawpaws in season
Pawpaws
Peaches are in season from late spring through mid fall
Peaches
Pears in season, whole and cut in half
Pears
Plums are in season from late spring into mid-fall
Plums
Fresh pomegranates in season
Pomegranates
Raspberries are in season from late spring into fall
Raspberries

Let's take a look at some of the best fruits in season this month.

Apples

October is the perfect time for apple baking. Mid-season apples are at their peak this month.

Golden Delicious apples are my favorite for pies, which often show up at grocery stores now. Jonathan are smaller, red apples with a tart-sweet flavor and perfect for caramel apples.

McIntosh apples probably started showing up last month but are still at peak flavor in October. They have a natural apple-cider flavor and the flesh easily breaks down when cooked. This makes them less than ideal for baking, but the best option for apple butter and apple sauce.

Before you jump into apple baking season, know that not all apples are created equally for each recipe. I wrote a guide to help you decide which apples to buy based on what you're cooking.

Every apple recipe on my site also includes notes on the best varieties to use.

Apple recipes & the vest varieties to use
Find out the best apples for baking, salads, apple sauce, caramel apples, chips, and more.
Apple recipes & the best varieties
A basket of apples
  • 3 homemade caramel apples with different toppings: nuts, peanuts & chocolate, and chopped chocolate.
    Easy homemade caramel apples
  • how to make apple butter
    How to make apple butter & recipe for canning
  • Cinnamon & brown sugar applesauce
    Cinnamon & brown sugar applesauce
  • apple pie on a pile of red and green apples
    The best (and worst) apples for pie

Pears

Pears are at their peak season in October and November. There are several different varieties to choose from at farmers markets and grocery stores.

Bartlett pears are probably the most popular. They are very soft, sweet, and juicy when ripe.

Comice pears are also very soft and juice, but even sweeter than Bartlett pears. They taste great with cheese, but are also on the more expensive side.

Anjou pears have a medium softness and juiciness to them. They hold up really well to cooking and baking, making them a go-to choice for pies and grilling.

Bosc pears are more crisp, like an apple, and less sweet than other pears. They also hold up well to heat, making them another great option for pies, grilling, or pan frying with some pork.

Figs

While figs are first available in summer, they are still in season through November. I personally think they are best suited for October recipes since they pair perfectly with fall baking spices.

If you can't find them at the farmers market or your regular grocery store, look at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Really ripe figs are syrupy and delicious, but only last a couple of days in the fridge. Be ready to eat them!

Homemade oatmeal fig bars with fresh figs
Most fig bar recipes use dried figs or jam, but I wanted a way to use the fruit while it was fresh and in-season. I also made the filling layer as thick as possible (with tests and photos in the article).
Make some oatmeal fig bars with fresh figs
Homemade oatmeal fig bars with fresh figs

Grapes

Grocery stores are well-stocked with grapes year-round, but they are actually a fall-seasoned fruit. New and interesting varieties seem to show up in grocery stores each year with fun flavors like cotton candy.

But it's hard to beat the flavor of the classic Concord grape - which tastes just like grape juice. It has seeds, but you might be able to find a seedless variety at a farmers market or specialty store.

My other favorite grape variety is muscat grapes. They have a floral, white dessert wine flavor that's worth seeking out. If you're lucky, you can find them at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods this month. However, sometimes I don't find them until March or April, when they are imported from Chile.

Grape recipes to make this month
From fresh grapes in salads to roasted grapes paired with sweet potatoes or chicken, this collection has the best recipes to make in fall.
Grape recipes
Chicken with roasted grapes and pecan gravy in a cast iron skillet

Pomegranates

Most stores are well-stocked with seasonal pomegranates in October. They are a bit of work to de-seed, but cost less than half the price as buying the little containers of seeds.

Store-bought seeds are usually sold in 4-ounce containers and cost about $5. Whole pomegranates usually cost $2-$3 and contain about 6-8 ounces of seeds.

Pomegranate recipes for fall
Make a pomegranate sauce for potstickers, add them to baked brie, or use them in braised short ribs.
Get 30+ pomegranate recipes
Fresh pomegranates in season
October vegetables in season: cucumbers, summer squash, corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, artichokes, peas, sweet potatoes, parsnips, winter squash, brussels sprouts, celery, and celery root.
October vegetable seasonal chart

October vegetables

The most iconic vegetables in season in October are pumpkins and other winter squash like butternut and acorn varieties. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a seasonal favorite, but you can also roast seeds from any winter squash.

Brussels sprouts are readily available this month and taste less bitter when they are in season, as storage time increases bitterness.

Celery root is showing back up this month. And celery, while available all year at decent quality, is in season starting this month. If you get it from a farmers market, you might notice the fresh flavor and better texture.

Artichokes are in season
Artichokes
Brussels Sprouts in Season
Brussels sprouts
Celery in season
Celery
When is celery root in season? How to pick the best ones and store them.
Celery root (celeriac)
When is corn in season
Corn
Cucumbers are in season in summer. Learn how to pick cucumbers and store them, along with seasonal recipes
Cucumbers
Eggplants are in season during summer and into fall.
Eggplant
Spicy peppers are in season in late summer
Hot peppers
Types of wild mushrooms, maitake, shiitake, portobello, oyster
Mushrooms
When are parsnips in season? Pick the best ones and store them right to last even longer.
Parsnips
Sugar snap and shelling peas are in season in spring, summer and fall. Get more info on picking the best ones, storing them and of course, recipes.
Peas
Winter squash in season
Pumpkins, butternut & other winter squash
Bell peppers are in season in summer and last through fall
Sweet & bell peppers
Sweet potatoes in season
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Eat in season - summer squash and zucchini are in season starting around June.
Zucchini & other summer squash
Comparing honeynut to butternut squash (which is twice the size and has paler skin)

Winter squash

Throughout October, I love browsing through the different winter squash varieties that take over farmers markets and produce bins. It's fun to try them all! Here's a few common options that you should be able to find near you.

Acorn squash have a milder flavor than other winter squashes, but they are still sweet and nutty. Once cooked, the flesh turns tender and dries out a bit. Because they are on the dryer side, they work well in stews where they soak up sauce.

Butternut squash are also mild and sweet. They puree smoothly into soups - which you can use to add creaminess without adding dairy.

Honeynut squash (pictured on the left above) look like a mini butternut squash. They are a cross between butternut and buttercup squash and have a similar, but sweeter and more intense flavor.

Delicata squash are prized for their scalloped edges with thin, edible skin. If you've tried other squash with the skins and thought they were too chewy, give delicata a try. Roast them in butter - it absorbs perfectly into the flesh for a melting texture.

Spaghetti squash are well known for the stringy flesh. To get the longest strands, cut the squash around the 'waist' and scoop them out. The strands wrap around the center, rather than running from top to bottom.

Sugar pumpkins are small enough to be stuffed and roasted. These are also commonly used to make pumpkin pies too. However, it will taste slightly different than the canned version which actually uses a different type of winter squash.

Kabocha squash are nutty with a slightly sweet flavor. They are popular for just about any use, from soups and stews to roasting.

The seeds from all winter squash are edible. I roast seeds almost every time I cook with winter squash. Even if I just have a quarter-cup, there's a quick cooking method that takes almost no effort.

Simply scoop the seeds out, removing as much flesh as possible, toss with oil & spices, then roast for 5-15 minutes at a higher heat. Or roast them low & slow for extra crispiness.

  • Roasted butternut squash soup with bacon & Cajun spices
    Roasted butternut squash soup with Cajun spices & bacon
  • A bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
    Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
  • Roasted delicata squash
    Roasted delicata squash with butter
  • Roasted squash seeds on an oven tray, including pumpkin seeds, butternut seeds, buttercup seeds, and acorn squash seeds
    Roasted squash seeds (extra crispy!)

Brussels sprouts

People seem to love or hate brussels sprouts - I'm in the camp that loves them. If you're cooking for people who might not be the biggest fans, its possible they don't like the bitterness.

The bitter flavor can be caused by weather and other growing conditions, as well as length of storage and cooking methods. During storage, brussels sprouts lose sugar, causing them to taste more bitter.

Any high-heat cooking method also brings out the sweeter, nuttier flavors. This is why recipes that roast or pan-fry brussels sprouts are so popular. The one cooking method that tends to make them taste more bitter is boiling.

Why brussels sprouts are bitter & easy ways to make them taste better
Salt, sugar, acid, and fat can all be used specifically to make brussels sprouts taste less bitter. Each of these basic tastes works a bit differently to suppress bitter flavors, as we'll get into in this article.
Check it out
Whole and cut bitter brussels sprouts on cutting board
Brussels sprouts recipes with bacon, maple syrup, parmesan (and more)
Brussels sprouts are having a moment, thanks to several chefs and famous restaurants enticing customers to give the vegetable a second chance (as opposed to the bitter, mushy sprouts of their past).
50 Brussels sprouts recipes
Brussels sprouts with bacon strips, parmesan, and lemons on an olive wood board
Recipes for fruits in season in October

Recipes for October

Get seasonal fruit recipes for October, like grilling with blackberries, baking with apples, and roasting grapes, just to name a few.

Or make some classic German recipes for Oktoberfest, like this jägerschnitzel recipe with breaded pork chops smothered in a mushroom gravy.

More seasonal produce guides

November's cool weather makes me want to cozy up with comforting soups, stews, spice cakes and mulled ciders. The month ends with a giant Thanksgiving feast before winter holidays take root. Make the most of rest of the year with other seasonal produce guides.

  • Fruits and vegetables in season for November
    The practical produce guide: November 2024
  • December produce guide: fruits & vegetables in season
    The practical produce guide: December 2024
  • January image with citrus fruits
    Practical produce guide: January 2025
  • Apples in season, on a wood table
    Eat what's in season
Eat what's in season
Check out my seasonal calendar to see what fruits and vegetables are in season each month.
Check it out
Apples in season, on a wood table

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About the Food Geek

Welcome, I'm Veronica, your resident food geek - experienced recipe developer and gardener. My goal is to help you enjoy eating at home by knowing what fruits & vegetables are currently in season and the best ways to use them. To do that, I've put together seasonal produce guides and recipes with practical advice.

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