Fall Foods for the Family

Pumpkins and Squash

October is known for its signature pumpkins in addition to sweet potatoes and squash. Families flock to pumpkin patches where they can enjoy hayrides, pick pumpkins, and then help scoop out the insides at home to make jack-o-lanterns. Pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes are good sources of vitamins C and E, and their orange and yellow flesh indicates they are rich in beta-carotene, too.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: If you're planning on carving a Halloween pumpkin, you and your kids can make this seasonal snack together.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding: Bread pudding is such a wonderful comfort food, and when pumpkin is added to the mix, it's pure decadence.

Baked Stuffed Acorn Squash: Winter squash is so good for you, and good tasting too, especially when stuffed with chicken apple sausage and brown rice.

Sweet Potato Muffins: Mini-muffins make a good midday snack — loaded with fiber, they help kids feel full, which just may keep them away from the junk food. Sweet potatoes lend rich flavor to these baked treats.

Meals to Gobble Gobble!

As a last hurrah to autumn, we celebrate with a feast of turkey and all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day—a tradition-filled family affair that offers a myriad of experiences for developing tastebuds.

No matter how many guests you serve on Thanksgiving, you're sure to have leftovers. Turkey can be used in a variety of dishes, including many that normally call for chicken. Create a delicious club sandwich for lunch with layers of turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayonnaise. Or serve easy-to-make wraps your kids will love simply by rolling a flour tortilla filled with sliced turkey and your favorite additions—tomato, avocado, Muenster or Monterey Jack cheese, romaine lettuce, or alfalfa sprouts. An herbed cream cheese, ranch or Caesar dressing is tasty spread on wraps!

Try these recipes to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, and don't forget that turkey is a delicious and healthy protein for your family all year.

Turkey Waldorf Salad: Leftover turkey is already cooked, so it couldn't be easier to add to soups, stews and sandwiches. Salads are great with cooked turkey and something lighter is nice after a heavy turkey dinner.

Crispy Turkey Tostadas: Shredded leftover turkey tops homemade tostadas in this Tex-Mex favorite.

Lastly, don't waste a bit of your bird! When you've eaten or pulled off nearly all the turkey (and shared with the wishbone with someone you love), use the remaining bones to make a wonderful stock. Simply put the remainders in a large pot with some celery, carrot, onion and a few peppercorns. Cover it with water, boil, and then simmer for a few hours. Stock freezes well and makes a fantastic base for a variety of dishes.