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The foods that belong on your fall grocery list

From potatoes and pumpkin to apples, sharp cheddar and warming spices, these are the fall foods chefs are reaching for this season

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Fall has a way of changing what sounds good for dinner. As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, crisp summer produce gives way to heartier vegetables, warming spices, and fruits that practically beg to be baked, roasted or folded into something comforting. And while pumpkin may get most of the seasonal attention, it’s far from the only food worth adding to your grocery list.

For its fall food list, Reader’s Digest turned to chefs and cookbook authors for their seasonal favorites. Their picks go well beyond the usual pumpkin-spice lineup. Some are familiar staples, while others could give your autumn cooking a welcome shake-up. Several of these foods are at their best in the fall, making now a particularly good time to add them to your grocery list. 

The fall picks featured by Reader’s Digest also show how much mileage you can get from a single ingredient. Potatoes can become the star of a cozy casserole, apples can go from an easy snack to a baked dessert or sharp-cheddar pairing, and warming spices can instantly give both sweet and savory dishes that unmistakable autumn flavor.

So, what’s worth bringing home? If you’re headed to the grocery store or farmers market, these five foods are a smart place to start. They’re seasonal, versatile and packed with possibilities for the kind of warm, comforting meals that make fall cooking especially satisfying.

1. Potatoes can turn into much more than a side dish

Markus Winkler / Unsplash

Potatoes may be available throughout the year, but fall is an especially good time to put them to work in hearty meals. According to Reader’s Digest, they’re harvested from late summer through early winter and become particularly appealing as cooler weather arrives and people start craving........

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