Walnut Community

Summer heat is giving way to light breezes, and lush greens are fading to golds and reds. Fall has arrived, and with it, harvest! Harvesting crops in autumn has been an annual necessity – and tradition – for thousands of years. To celebrate, we’re exploring all of the wholesome foods being harvested this season, and how to enjoy them with California walnuts.

The California Walnut Harvest

Each year, California walnuts undergo a long journey from the trees in the orchard to your kitchen table.
Did you know more than 99% of the walnuts in the United States come straight from California orchards, grown by the many dedicated and hardworking farmers who produce high-quality walnuts every harvest season?
We love harvest season for its resurgence of fresh produce and all the possibilities that it means for our kitchens, but walnuts aren’t the only delicacy being harvested in the fall. From spices to herbs to produce, there’s a world of bounty at your fingertips. Just remember, once you purchase your fresh bag of California walnuts, store them in your freezer to enjoy all year long.

The Fall Kitchen

When it comes to the foods that are harvested this season, one word comes to mind: earthy. Rich with flavor, color, variety and depth of nutrients as well as belly-filling goodness, there is so much to love about the bountiful spices, herbs and produce of fall.

Spices and Herbs

How can you experiment with the spices, herbs and produce that evoke the aromas of fall? Think cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice, cardamom, turmeric, ginger and star anise. Of course, you can’t forget a pumpkin spice blend! In your herb garden, rosemary, parsley, sage, thyme and chives flourish this season. Pick up some fresh blends of these spices and seasonings for the fall, and try a few new delicious dishes with wholesome California walnuts. Sage and nutmeg come together to create these decadent Pumpkin Gnocchi with California Walnut Brown Butter Sauce. For something a little more savory, turmeric and cumin bring the bold fall hue to this Turkey Curry over Cranberry-Walnut Rice Pilaf. For dessert, whip up a Walnut Cardamom Cake that will wow your taste buds.

Fall Produce

Walnuts aren’t the only produce being harvested this fall in California! From Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, to pomegranates and peppers, there’s a whole array of fruits and vegetables growing right here in our region. Of course, when you think of fall, one of the first things that comes to mind is pumpkins! These gourds are fun to decorate for Halloween, of course, but they are also great to cook with. Whether you’re interested in desserts like breads and pies, or main courses like risotto and soup, make sure to pick up some fresh pumpkin to work with in the kitchen on your next trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market. While fruit feels like a summer treat, there are plenty that are freshly picked for the fall. Some of our favorites from California include apples, figs, pears and pomegranates. Whether you’re making Caramel Apple Pie Bars, a Walnut, Fig & Date Milkshake or Pomegranate Glazed Carrots, there are endless ways to get creative with these flavors and walnuts this season. Further up the West Coast and throughout the rest of the country, some of our favorite fall veggies are grown and harvested this time of year, as well. The Pacific Northwest region is ideal for root veggies like potatoes and onions, while mushrooms often make their way to us from the East Coast! There’s so much fun to be had in the kitchen when you reap the benefits of a bountiful fall harvest. California walnuts pair wonderfully with any of these spice, herb and produce options to create remarkable dishes. Now celebrate harvest in your own kitchen today!
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