With that declaration comes an onslaught of food specials. The most ubiquitous is the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it’s not just coffee shops that participate in this fall flavor trend; everything from granola to gelato will have a pumpkin variation. I enjoy pumpkin as much as the next fall lover, but sometimes it becomes a little too much. If you’re also experiencing pumpkin fatigue but still want to taste the flavors of fall, try these foods instead!
- Cranberry
-
Cranberry is a really versatile flavor, great in both savory and sweet dishes. Its claim to fame is obviously cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, but it can be much more than that. Stores sell cranberries whole, dried, or canned, meaning you can play around with different textures and flavors ranging from bitter to sweet. I recently saw a recipe for cranberry jalapeño sourdough on TikTok, which would be great to try if you have a starter!
- Brown Butter
-
Brown butter is quick and easy to make, using only one ingredient: butter! Browning butter gives it a warm, nutty flavor, making any dessert immediately feel more like fall. It also goes well with cinnamon and maple—like in this at-home coffee syrup!
- Corn
-
Yes, yes, I know corn on the cob is a summer barbeque staple, but this vegetable is actually in season until mid-October, so don’t discredit corn’s role in fall meals (cornbread with chili, anyone?). The key to transitioning this flavor into fall is roasting it and eating it hot to bring out some smokiness. Add warmth with cumin, chili, or even maple syrup as a glaze.
- Pear
-
Pears don’t have the strongest flavor on their own, but when incorporated into other foods, they add a beautiful sweetness. Some varieties of pears have a slightly warm, spicy flavor, so they’re the best if you’re trying to replace pumpkin. Pears go really well with vanilla, so try grilled pears over vanilla ice cream for a nice evening treat as you transition out of summer.
- Caramelized Onions
-
One of the most versatile savory fall flavors, caramelized onions make every dish better. All it takes is one onion (and lots of patience) before you have a caramelized treat to add to soups, baked potatoes, pastries—really, anything. I made these caramelized onion Gruyère biscuits for a Friendsgiving potluck, and they were such a hit that I made another batch two days later!
While pumpkin usually steals the show this time of year, there are plenty of alternative flavors you can add to your plate. Fall is characterized by warm, roasted, spicy, and nutty flavors, so as long as you emphasize those qualities in your food, you’re golden. Happy fall eating!