Sample Fall Meal Plan for North Iowans
Fall in Iowa. Is there a more beautiful time? The fresh, crisp air beckons us to nearby apple orchards and pumpkin patches. We bundle a little warmer and our dishes get a bit hardier. It’s time to stock up on those storage veggies – winter squash, potatoes, onions and to source your meats locally.
Monday
Make it Meatless with a Roasted Winter Squash and Quinoa Salad. Have some leftover bread? Try a Fall Panzanella.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Great served as a side dish you can feel good about. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Roasted Butternut Salad
A hearty winter salad with sweet butternut squash and tangy vinaigrette. The lentils make it filling enough to be the main course. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Tuesday
Tacos fit the bill for ANY type of diet. Have you ever made your own tortillas? It’s easier than you might think! Check out our Lard Tortilla Recipe and all of our Fall Taco Ideas Here.
Delicata Squash Tacos
Delicata squash are an unsung fall hero. The skin is so thin that you don’t need to peel it and it’s filled with vitamins – making this a low-prep, easy, healthy taco filling. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Sweet Potato Tacos
Even the carnivores will love this one! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Beef Tacos
Everyone loves taco night! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Wednesday
Rice or pasta night! Enjoy some Jam Glazed Chicken or Chicken, Bacon, and Mushrooms over rice or use up whatever vegetables you’ve got in a stir fry.
Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Butter and garlic - does it get any better? A comfort food featuring fresh egg pasta and local garlic is sure to hit the spot any time of the year. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Duck Egg Pasta
Duck eggs have a larger yolk than chicken eggs and lend a richer flavor to fresh pasta. Use these noodles as you would in any other pasta dish, just cut them to your need! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Thursday
Is it a casserole or a hot dish?
Shepherd's Pie
A hearty winter favorite you can make with lots of ingredient flexibility. Local root vegetables and beef are the star of this dish! It's easy on the wallet and can keep you warm on those cold winter nights. Want to try a new twist- mashed sweet potatoes, turnips, or winter squash can be used in place of potatoes for the topping.Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Friday
Pizza Night! Hit up your favorite pizza shop or roast up some veggies and get creative.
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Pizza
Looking to switch up pizza night? Get the whole family together for a make-your-own pizza night featuring local butternut squash! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Stop by your local farmer's market or contact your local farmer! Winter squash has a very long shelf life so stock up in the fall!
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Saturday
Keep Saturday simple with a sandwich slathered in a homemade hummus.
Roasted Carrot Hummus
A delicious dip for chips or vegetables. Try it on your favorite sandwich as a substitute for mayo or mustard! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Carrot Top Pesto
Don't toss those carrot tops! You may have everything in your pantry already to make a delicious pesto for dipping or as a sauce for pasta or pizza. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Apple Bacon Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Sweet apples and salty, savory bacon come together for a treat for the taste buds! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Sunday
Brinner, Leftovers, Prep/Plan Day. Choose a simple meal to eat on all day (a roasted chicken, pork roast, big batch of soup) or an easy breakfast-for-dinner so that you can reflect on your week, plan for the next, and enjoy your day of rest.
Roasted Chicken
Cook once and have enough meat for a few days worth of meals! For example, use the breasts for tacos, the dark meat for a stir-fry, and the carcass to make a stock for soup! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Avocado Toast with Soft Boiled Eggs
Grab some high quality bread from your farmers market and pile it high with creamy avocado, farm-fresh eggs, microgreens, or whatever suits you! A quick and easy brunch or anytime-snack! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Osso Buco and Polenta from Mossycup Farms
This recipe comes from Laura Tidrick of Mossycup Farms in Clear Lake. She says: Osso buco, made with pork hocks or shanks and served over a creamy polenta is a hearty and delicious meal that can be made for 2 people or a crowd and reheats beautifully to be enjoyed as left overs. Pork hocks & shanks are underappreciated and many are unfamiliar with this cut. The shank is from the front leg of the hog below the shoulder and the hock from the back leg below the ham. This bone in cut is meaty and surrounded by the right amount of fat to prevent drying out when slow roasting or braising. Don’t rush while cooking – low and slow is the secret to tender, flavorful meat.Find more of her recipes here. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Lunches, Snacks, and More
Eat leftovers for lunch the next day (if there are any!) or keep a jar of pesto in your fridge for a quick sandwich or for dipping your vegetables into. Do a large batch of winter squash puree to have on hand for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Muffins, etc. Don’t forget a fall inspired dessert.
Pumpkin Seed Clusters
A delicious way to use the seeds from any winter squash! Pumpkin, kabocha, spaghetti, delicata, or a combination! Throw them on a salad, eat them as a snack or on top of pancakes! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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