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Autumn's Must-Try Regional Foods: Fall Harvest Highlights Across the U.S.

As summer fades, we bid farewell to juicy farmers' market tomatoes and peaches, cherishing memories of their vibrant season. Autumn brings a bounty of delights: colorful citrus, hearty mushrooms, versatile squash, and more. From coast to coast, discover the seasonal stars worth celebrating.

The South

Pecans define Southern fall, starring at festivals across the region. Beyond pies, savor Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur in Louisville, KY—brandy aged in bourbon barrels, surprisingly balanced. Enjoy it neat or in cocktails at Proof Bar in the 21c Hotel.

In Austin, at Emmer & Rye, James Beard finalist Kevin Fink forages and ages pecans for a unique salsa macha on crispy sweet potatoes—a Southern staple. In Asheville, NC, Rhubarb chef John Fleer transforms sweet potatoes into tostones, pairing them with oven-roasted chicken, seared vines, and mole-style barbecue sauce.

Autumn s Must-Try Regional Foods: Fall Harvest Highlights Across the U.S.

Early fall heralds muscadine grapes, indigenous and distinct with thick skins and intense sweetness. Taste them fresh, preserved, or in wines from Duplin Winery, the South's oldest, at tasting rooms or fall festivals. At Chef & the Farmer, Vivian Howard pairs muscadine mostarda with pork, roasted Brussels sprouts, and sausage.

California

Bay Area November signals Dungeness crab season. Forage your own or dine at iconic Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco, famed for its lines and upside-down crab backs filled with sweet meat and 'unicorn juice,' as Anthony Bourdain called it. Elevate at Oakland's Michelin-starred Commis, where chef James Syhabout fills shells with sunchokes, crab, and yuzu.

Autumn s Must-Try Regional Foods: Fall Harvest Highlights Across the U.S.

Citrus season shines with yuzu in Prarie's San Francisco yuzu ice box pie: graham cracker crust, yuzu curd, Straus yogurt, pine nuts, and candied peel—a key lime twist.

In the San Joaquin Valley, producing 92 percent of U.S. mandarins, visit the pre-Thanksgiving Mandarin Festival at Gold Country Fairgrounds for cider, pizza, kettle corn, pork tater tots, milkshakes, and funnel cake. Extend the fun with mandarin beers at Crooked Lane Brewery, like Roaky Mandarin hazy IPA or Carmen Mandarina Milkshake IPA.

The Northeast

Hudson Valley apple season overflows from 30+ orchards and markets. Fishkill Farms offers rare varieties like Pixie Crunch and Shizuka, plus October's Fall Harvest Festival with music, wagon rides, and cider donuts.

For cider, try The Cidery at Westwind Orchard's 2017 Kingston Black or Wild Wild East Reserve, paired with tonnarelli cacio e pepe.

At Gaskin's in Germantown, chef Nick Suarez serves roasted apples with braised pork belly and apple-ginger galette with sweet cream ice cream.

Autumn s Must-Try Regional Foods: Fall Harvest Highlights Across the U.S.

Massachusetts' 14,000+ cranberry acres peak now. Tour a Cape Cod Cranberry Bog, and join the Oct. 10 Bog to Table Dinner by A.D. Makepeace Company and Off the Vine: cranberry pecan rolls, pork chops with cranberry brown butter, and chocolate-cranberry tart.

The Pacific Northwest

Fall fungi like chanterelles, pig's ears, lobster mushrooms, and porcini thrive here. Join Terra Fleurs foraging tours or browse Portland's PSU Farmers Market at Springwater Farm and Rick’s Wild Mushrooms. At Kachka, chef Bonnie Morales' matsutake mushroom vodka complements the mushroom salad.

Autumn s Must-Try Regional Foods: Fall Harvest Highlights Across the U.S.At the market, Sun Gold Farm boasts 35 winter squash varieties, from delicata to red curry. Sample in Grassa's ravioli or Tusk's raw squash salad with pears, peppers, onion, herbs, and pistachios. End with kabocha squash pie: maple pepitas, pumpkin seed cream, autumn raspberries.

Travel Notes
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