What’s in season: October

Buying fresh produce from the UK is a great way of cutting your carbon footprint and reducing your food miles. Here are October's freshest foods.

Pears

As well as British apples, pears are at their peak in October too. Look out for the new season's juicy varieties: Williams, Conference and Comice. Pears come in a range of flavours and textures and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Try poaching them in red wine, with vanilla or chocolate drizzled sauce – as in the classic French dessert Poires Belle Hélène. They also work well raw in salads or added to an after-dinner cheese board – they go particularly well with Pecorino or Roquefort.

Leeks

Leeks are related to onions and garlic, but have a subtler, sweeter and more sophisticated flavour. Use them in soups and stews or pair them with potato and cheese to form tasty, warming dishes. You can buy leeks full-sized or ready trimmed. Stored loosely wrapped in plastic (to keep them from drying out and to retain their aroma) they will keep in the fridge for a week.

Pumpkins and squashes

Like cucumbers, squashes and pumpkins are members of the cucurbit family and originally come from America. We know them best representing Halloween, but you can find all kinds of colours and varieties in store, ideal for tasty soups, pies and roasts.

Savoy cabbage

Savoy cabbage has a different look and feel from white, green or spring cabbage. It has dark green textured leaves and a mild, almost nutty flavour. It can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried or used as a wrap for fillings. Avoid ones with holes or discoloured patches and that are firm and heavy for their size. Be careful not to overcook it - there's nothing worse than soggy cabbage!

Turnips

Turnips come in a variety of forms, the most widely available being the squashed globe shape with creamy coloured skin and a purple crown (where the turnip’s grown above the surface of the ground and has been exposed to sunlight). They have a sweet, slightly peppery flavour and are nutritionally rich. You can find turnips pretty much all year round, but they’re at their best as baby turnips at the beginning of summer and then again in autumn when the more mature vegetables make tasty, healthy and economical autumn dishes.