The telltale signs of autumn in South Africa are upon us; the mornings are becoming slightly darker and colder and sunsets, shorter. Even though we’re saying goodbye to summer, there’s plenty to look forward to in the kitchen with the bountiful seasonal fruit and vegetables of autumn. We’ve rounded up our favourite autumn recipes that make the most of seasonal produce. We’ve got everything, from hearty breakfasts to delicious dinners and a few beautiful bakes too.

Aubergine

Brinjal, aubergine, eggplant – whatever you call it, we love it. So versatile and yummy!

MISO-GLAZED AUBERGINES WITH VEGAN MISO MAYO

Miso is a cook’s best friend; it’s packed with flavour and tastes good with just about anything! These miso-glazed aubergines with guacamole are a game-changer.

Recipe for Miso-glazed Aubergines with Miso Mayo

GRILLED AUBERGINE WITH TOMATO, ROCKET & GOAT’S CHEESE

Individual servings of charry aubergine and fragrant, earthy salad. An easy and unique way to serve a tasty salad.

Recipe for Grilled Aubergine with Tomato, Rocket & Goat’s Cheese

PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE

An Italian classic with a legume twist. This Melanzane is perfect for family feasting. It’s filling and delicious, thanks to the melt-in-mouth aubergine, crunchy chickpea topping and dollops of basil pesto.

Recipe for Parmigiana di Melanzane

LOW-CARB CRISPY AUBERGINE BREAKFAST STACK

A low-carb brekkie that’s stacked with flavour, texture and healthy ingredients. One of our favourite autumn recipes.

Recipe for Low-carb Crispy Aubergine Breakfast Stack with Smashed Avo & Poached Egg

Baby Aubergine with Lentils Pomegranate & Chevin Dressing

Aubergines are so versatile, we really love them! Roast, grill or fry – they are a great meaty alternative if you are looking for a veg with some oomph.

Recipe for Baby Aubergine with Lentils Pomegranate & Chevin Dressing

Aubergine Salad with Yoghurt Hummus Dressing

If you find yourself yearning for summer, this seasonal salad should quell your nostalgia.

Recipe for Aubergine Salad with Yoghurt Hummus Dressing

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Beetroot

The earthy flavour of beetroot makes it perfect for autumn eating. Another incredibly versatile vegetable that can be used in so many ways.

Beetroot Falafel on Flatbread with Guacamole

Plant-based, protein-packed and absolutely delicious. These beetroot falafel will easily become a part of your weekly dinner rotation.

Recipe for Beetroot Falafel on Flatbread with Guacamole

Kiwi Burger Sliders

Beetroot on a burger? We know, but once you try these Kiwi classic sliders with juicy pork patties, there’s no going back.

Recipe for Kiwi Burger Sliders 

BEETROOT QUINOA SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT, FETA AND ROCKET

We’ve used Rugani 100% beetroot juice for the quinoa. Not only does it give it a fabulous jewel-like colour, but enhances the whole dish with the earthy flavour of delish beets.

Recipe for Beetroot Quinoa Salad

BEETROOT CAKE

A fun take on a red velvet cake, using beetroot juice with a brûléed, marshmallowy frosting.

Recipe for Beetroot Cake

Beetroot Ravioli with Brown Butter & Poppy Seeds

There’s something about the colder months that make it more acceptable to eat carbs. This beetroot and ricotta ravioli tastes so good slathered in decadent brown butter sauce.

Recipe for Beetroot Ravioli with Brown Butter & Poppy Seeds

Gluten Free Chocolate Beetroot Cake

A recipe that allows us to feed our indulgence without the guilt.

Recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Beetroot Cake

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Broccoli

Don’t be afraid of this green veg; it’s full of flavour and health benefits.

Charred Broccoli & Baby Gem Salad

With winter just around the corner, now’s the time to kick-start your immune system, and what better way than a bowl of flu-fighting greens.

Recipe for Charred Broccoli & Baby Gem Salad

Broccoli & Chickpea Bhajis

This take on traditional bhajis uses broccoli and chickpeas instead of onion, and is served with creamy avo.

Recipe for Broccoli & Chickpea Bhajis

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Cabbage & Cauliflower

Cabbage is seriously underrated; we love it raw, in salads or cooked – and there are so many ways to use it. Cauliflower remains popular, and with good reason…

Cabbage Pakora with Mint Chutney

Throw an autumn dinner party and serve these pakoras as a starter.

Recipe for Cabbage Pakora with Mint Chutney

Pork Steaks on Cauliflower Mash

Special shout out to the Banters – now you can eat cauliflower to your heart’s content!

Recipe for Pork Steaks on Cauliflower Mash

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Kale & Peas

Kale is a real superfood veg and should be a part of everyone’s diet. It also works incredibly well served raw or cooked. Peas are another one of our favourite veggies and add colour and a bit of sweetness to a dish.

Tartare Crusted Grilled Hake with Mushy Peas & Onion Rings

Mushy peas and fish is a classic that’s hard to deny. Swap out the chips for light and crispy beer-battered onion rings – thank us later.

Recipe for Tartare Crusted Grilled Hake with Mushy Peas & Onion Rings

Smoked Fish Pie

Comforting and creamy, this pastry-topped bake is filled with delicious smoked snoek flavours. The peas tie everything together.

Recipe for Smoked Fish Pie

 

BULGAR WHEAT, KALE & HALLOUMI SALAD WITH CLEMENGOLD DRESSING

This warm grain salad has it all – texture, crunch and a zesty ClemenGold^® dressing.

Recipe for Bulgar Wheat Salad

PEA, PANCETTA & MASCARPONE RISOTTO

A deliciously creamy risotto, full of the sweetness of peas and with a bite of crisp, salty pancetta – yum!

Recipe for Pea Risotto

Fresh Pea & Mint Soup with Garlic Bruschetta

The perfect in-between seasonal soup.

Recipe for Pea & Mint Soup

Penne Pasta with Kale Pesto

You’ll want to make a double batch of this pesto; kale has never tasted so good!

Recipe for Penne Pasta with Kale Pesto

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Mushrooms

What’s not to love about mushrooms? There are so many different types and they are all delicious in their own way. Mushrooms add meatiness and umami to any dish.

Creamy Penne Pasta with Mushrooms & Gammon

We love mushrooms as a stand-alone dish or thrown into this pasta recipe.

Recipe Creamy Penne Pasta with Mushroom & Gammon

Creamy Mushrooms on Toast

There’s never a bad moment for mushrooms on toast.

Recipe for Creamy Mushrooms on Toast

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Avocados

Ah, avo… probably one of the most hardworking fruits out there. Full of health benefits, tasty and incredibly versatile… we think this might just be our favourite. Autumn in South Africa heralds the start of avo season, and when it finally hits, we all breathe a sigh of relief.

AVOCADO CREME POTATO SALAD WITH CRISPY BACON & FRIED ONIONS

Potato salad with a creamy twist! Impress your braai guests with our take on this classic.

Recipe for Avocado Creme Potato Salad with Crispy Bacon & Fried Onions

GREEN EGGS & HAM: DEVILLED AVOCADO EGGS

The ideal party or midday snack, filled with all the healthy fats you could ask for.

Recipe for Green Eggs & Ham: Devilled Avocado Eggs

Avocado Flapjack Stack

Sneak extra nutrients into your next stack of pancakes by adding avocado as the fat source.

Recipe for Avocado Flapjack Stack

CHIA & CHOCOLATE AVOCADO BREAKFAST CUPS

This decadent chocolate avocado chia cup may just be our favourite brekkie of all time.

Recipe for Chia and Chocolate Avocado Breakfast Cups

AVOCADO LINGUINE WITH PARMESAN PANGRATTATO

A really simple way to make a delicious pasta sauce using avocados.

Recipe for Avocado Linguine

SMASHED AVOCADO EGGS BENEDICT

Eggs Benny is always a good idea; adding smashed avo makes it even better.

Recipe for Smashed Avo Benedict

AVOCADO CREAM CHEESE CHILLI POPPERS

These chilli poppers are the ultimate snack!

Recipe for Avocado Cream Cheese Chilli Poppers

AVOCADO PASTRY TARTLETS WITH CREAMY AVO FILLING

If you’re as obsessed with avocados as we are, try substituting butter with avo the next time you make pastry shells. While you’re at it, make some avo filling for these tasty tartlets.

Recipe for Avocado Pastry Tartlets with Creamy Avo Filling

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Apples & Carrots

We’re lucky enough that carrots are available pretty much year-round, and certain apples are in their prime right now too. Just in time for some autumn baking and cooking.

Cauliflower & White Bean Soup with Chorizo & Spiced Apples

A belly-warming and creamy soup that makes the most of seasonal fruit.

Recipe for Creamy Cauliflower & White Bean Soup with Chorizo & Spiced JAZZ Apples

Brussels Sprout & Pumpkin Salad with JAZZ Apple & Yoghurt

Meet the ultimate autumn salad – it’s filled with roasted veggies and fresh apples for crunchy texture.

Recipe for Brussels Sprout & Pumpkin Salad with JAZZ Apple and a Mint Yoghurt Drizzle

TOMAPORK CHOPS IN CIDER SAUCE WITH PINK LADY APPLES

These delish Tomapork chops in creamy cider sauce are ideal for colder autumn nights; serve with buttery mash on the side for the best bite.

Recipe for Tomapork Chops in Cider Sauce & Pink Lady Apples

CHAR SIU PORK BELLY WITH PINK LADY APPLES

A sensational and comforting dish that proves that apples are just as good in savoury dishes.

Recipe for Char Siu Pork Belly with Pink Lady Apples

APPLE CRUMBLE

Nothing beats crumble. Warm cinnamon and ginger-spiced apples, buttery crumble and vanilla bean ice cream – hands-down one of our favourites.

Recipe for Apple Crumble

APPLE COMPOTE PROFITEROLES WITH WHIPPED CREAM & CARAMEL SAUCE

Teatime just got better! Delicious profiteroles filled with whipped cream and apple compote, and drizzled with caramel sauce – yum!

Recipe for Apple Compote Profiteroles with Whipped Cream & Caramel Sauce

Classic Carrot Cake

There’s very little not to love about this cake.

Recipe for Classic Carrot Cake

Apple Muffins with Macadamia Streusel

Perfect for mornings, teatime and afternoon snacks – pretty much anytime!

Recipe for Apple Muffins with Macadamia Streusel

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Courgette

Courgette, baby marrow, zucchini – these beauties are loved all around the world. While technically a fruit, many consider courgette to be a veg. The options are endless with courgette – make pasta, bake a cake; the list goes on…

Zucchini & Ricotta Lasagne

Lasagne reimagined. The layers of zucchini paired with the ricotta are absolutely divine!

Recipe for Zucchini & Ricotta Lasagne

Courgette Cake with Lemon Mascarpone Icing

We know what you’re thinking, but trust us on this one. This cake is delicious and moist – the Lemon Mascarpone Icing is to die for!

Recipe for Courgette Cake with Lemon Mascarpone Icing

Mint, Lemon & Olive Oil Marinated Zucchini Salad

This refreshing and healthy salad is perfect for those autumn days that feel like summer.

Recipe for Mint Lemon & Olive Oil Marinated Zucchini Salad

Lemony Courgette and Chilli Spaghetti

A simple and delicious pasta that will soon become your go-to midweek dish.

Recipe for Lemony Courgette and Chilli Spaghetti

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Peaches & Oranges

Both are great autumn fruits that can be enjoyed on their own or in these recipes…

Peach & Frangipane Tart

Forget strawberries and cream; bring out the peaches for this frangipane tart.

Recipe for Peach & Frangipane Tart

Mini Orange Almond Bundt Cakes with Orange Syrup

These mini bundt cakes will brighten up any day!

Recipe for Mini Orange Almond Bundt Cake with Orange Syrup

STICKY ORANGE AND CUMIN GLAZED PORK BELLY SKEWERS

Hints of orange and cumin add a unique flavour to these glazed pork belly skewers.

Recipe for Sticky Orange and Cumin Glazed Pork Belly Skewers

HARISSA-MARINATED LAMB LOIN CHOPS & GRILLED PEACH SALAD

Thick-cut lamb chops marinated with flavourful Harissa – divine!

Recipe for Harissa Lamb Chops

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Plums

Juicy plums are in abundance in autumn; use them in sweet or savoury dishes…

Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums

Biting into stone fruits just has this way of saying, ‘Hello, autumn!’. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and sour, making them great for this tasty Indonesian dish.

Recipe for Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums

Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Biscuit Crumble

Cost-effective, easy to make and sure to please a crowd. This plum recipe is all you need to end the night off.

Recipe for Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Biscuit Crumble

Loved these seasonal recipes? Check our seasonal fruit and veggie chart. Follow us on Instagram for more delicious content.