Hello again my friend!

September is here! You can feel it in the air already - the crisper mornings and cooler evenings that call for a cosy scarf. The golden light that bathes the leaves as they slowly change to their Autumn colours. And the new season's produce that's appearing in the shops for delicious late Summer/early Autumn meals!

Below I've gathered together some recipes that are perfect for sharing at YomTov or any time, that make the best of September's fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables. But first, here's some idea of what to look out for when browsing the supermarket aisles, or your local greengrocers, farm shops or markets.

Veg - Beetroot, Broccoli 🥦, Butternut Squash, Cabbages 🥬, Carrots 🥕, Cauliflower, Courgettes 🥒, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Marrow, Parsnips, Pumpkins 🎃, Spinach, Sweetcorn 🌽, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes 🍅 and Turnips.

Fruit - Apples 🍏, Blackberries, Damsons, Figs, Greengages 🍈, Melons, Pears 🍐, Plums and Raspberries.

There are also still lots of fresh herbs about - my garden plot is overflowing with basil, parsley, chives, lovage and many more, so be generous with the fragrant foliage while the going's good!

Seasonal recipes for YomTov or everyday

These recipes are all so scrumptiously seasonal you'll want to eat them everyday, but they're just as much at home on a special YomTov menu. So keep these in mind with your forward planning.

• ​Classic French carrot salad​
  ​A deceptively simple traditional French dish that's a great starter or side dish with almost anything. Crunchy and delicious!
• ​Heirloom tomato salad​
  ​Olives, fresh basil and sumac bring out the gorgeous flavours of ripe and juicy heirloom tomatoes in this lovely salad.
• ​Autumn slaw with honey-yogurt dressing​
  Shredded veg in a tangy, spicy, sweet and creamy dressing. What's not to love! Use soya yogurt to keep it parve.

If you're in the mood for more salads, check out this list of my Top 10 late summer salads for a Rosh Hashanah menu​

• ​Roasted hasselback butternut squash with sweet chilli and rosemary​
  This showstopper vegetable dish is super-simple to prepare but looks a million dollars! Tastes amazing too 🤩
• ​Creamy courgette and potato soup (vegan)​
  Full of fabulous flavours, this creamy soup is a perfect Autumn starter, or a light lunch with some buttered bread.
• ​Vegan parsnip and carrot kugel​
  These tasty roots are naturally sweet, so this kugel is almost like a veg-packed cake! A deliciously different way to enjoy the season's vegetables.
• ​Sephardic style cauliflower with tomatoes and dill​
  ​Featuring cauli, herbs and tomatoes, this lovely side dish is a welcome addition to any menu. I usually serve it hot but it's also good cold as a cooked salad.
• ​Plum and almond crumble cake​
  ​Stone fruits are at their best right now and this gorgeous cake is a great way to enjoy them. Wonderful warm as a pud or sliced up and served with a cuppa.

Find plenty more delicious seasonal recipes at family-friends-food.com​

More Rosh Hashanah preparations

If you're getting a head start on your RH prep, you can browse all of my Rosh Hashanah recipes, articles and ideas here.​

You'll find a curated list of our favourite Rosh Hashanah sweet treats and desserts here.​

And a selection of over 80 sweet and savoury recipes incorporating the simanim - symbolic foods - can be found here.​

The recipe and instructions for my ICONIC head-of-a-fish cookies, are right here 🐟

PLUS, don't forget that you can snag a copy of my ebook Entertaining Guests with Special Diets for the bargain price of £10 by using code JUSTATENNER at checkout. It's a great resource that makes it easy to plan menus, cook and host diners with diverse needs.

Shabbat Shalom

Yes, September is here, the seasons are turning, and it's time to get ourselves ready, physically and mentally, for the cooler months ahead. I hope this weekend gives you time to pause, breathe, and prepare for what's coming.

May this Shabbat bring us all happiness, health, peace and blessings. Wishing a Shabbat Shalom - a Good Shabbos! - to everyone.

With love, Helen x.

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​You can buy me a cuppa here ☕️ Thank you!

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