According to Britannica, fall usually begins on September 22 or 23. Enjoying fall in the United States can be one of the most beautiful experiences. During this season, there are quite a few major celebrations held, such as Thanksgiving and Halloween.
Besides the many celebrations held in fall, there are certainly distinctive foods that complement them. Now, we want to take you exploring American foods that are always present during fall, especially those that often appear at Halloween parties.
American Fall Foods
Here is a list of traditional fall foods in America:
1. Pumpkin Pie
A classic dessert consisting of pumpkin pudding made from mashed pumpkin and seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, then baked together with pastry crust.
2. Apple Cider
Apple cider is one of the popular fall beverages that can be served either cold or hot. This cider is made by crushing and pressing fresh apples to produce a drink rich in pure fruit essence. When served warm, apple cider is usually mixed with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, or orange slices. Warm apple cider is perfect for cold fall nights.
3. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is made from butternut squash that’s roasted until tender, then mixed with ingredients like onions, garlic, cream, and spices. In this soup, the natural sweetness of the squash blends with the savory flavors of the seasonings.
4. Pot Roast
Pot roast is a popular dish served as a main course during fall dinners. This dish consists of large cuts of beef cooked together with various root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions. In this dish, the meat cooking process takes quite a long time, resulting in meat that’s more tender and delicious when eaten.
5. Pecan Pie
Back to desserts, this time there’s pecan pie. This traditional Southern dish is made from pecans, eggs, butter, and corn syrup or maple syrup, baked in a pastry crust. Making this pie requires patience. When made correctly, the pie filling will be like caramel studded with roasted pecans. This pie is perfect served with vanilla ice cream.
6. Apple Cider Donut
This dish might become your guests’ favorite. In America, apple cider donuts are one of the favorite treats at fall events. These donuts are made with a bit of apple cider mixed into the batter, giving them a subtle apple flavor. They’re usually served coated in cinnamon sugar.
7. Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese might be a classic dish. However, when fall arrives, mac and cheese takes on a different character when prepared with seasonal ingredients like roasted butternut squash, crispy sage, or caramelized onions. The base of this dish is pasta cooked with various cheese blends, including cheddar, gruyere, and fontina.
8. Cinnamon Roll
Cinnamon rolls served in fall are often combined with seasonal ingredients like pumpkin or apple as fillings. Made from soft and fluffy dough rolled with a mixture of cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar, then baked until golden. Some fall versions add chopped pecans or caramel drizzle.
9. Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic American fall food. This delicious dish combines ground meat (usually beef, or a mixture of beef and pork) with sautéed onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and eggs, seasoned with spices. Usually, this dish is topped with a tomato glaze and baked until perfectly done. When sliced, the meat is tender but maintains its shape, making it perfect for dinner and next-day sandwiches.
10. Cranberry Sauce
While Cranberry Sauce is often associated with Thanksgiving, its presence is constant throughout fall. This sauce is made by cooking fresh cranberries with sugar and orange juice until the berries burst and the mixture naturally thickens from the fruit’s pectin. Some recipes include additions like orange zest, cinnamon, or port wine. The result is a perfect balance of sweet and tart that complements many fall dishes.
Those are the ten traditional fall foods commonly served in America. If you’re planning to vacation in America during fall, you might want to try these popular dishes mentioned above.
You can also serve these dishes at your Halloween party. Invite your family and closest friends to taste these seasonal American dishes.
