From carrots and cauliflower to sweet potatoes and squash, there are so many tasty fruits and vegetables this time of year -- and endless ways to prepare them.
This cauliflower purée is creamy and comforting, and it just happens to taste remarkably like mashed potatoes. It also has the benefit of being easier to make, healthier and lower in carbs. But don't make it just for that reason -- it's delicious in its own right. GET THE RECIPE
Bookmark this one for the holidays: golden roasted brussels sprouts with smoky bacon, toasted pecans and maple syrup. It's hard to resist eating the entire pan right out of the oven! GET THE RECIPE
Spaghetti squash is a low-carb, low-cal alternative to pasta; when cooked, it transforms into golden, spaghetti-like strands. Here, it's tossed with marinara sauce, sprinkled with crispy breadcrumbs and cheese, and then baked to golden perfection. GET THE RECIPE
Sweet, orange-scented and chock-full of cranberries and walnuts, this quick bread is perfect for the holidays. It freezes beautifully, so you can bake several loaves now and defrost as needed. GET THE RECIPE
These sweet potatoes are mashed with butter and brown sugar, and then baked with crunchy pecan streusel topping. It's "that dish," the one everyone reaches their fork into long after the meal is done. GET THE RECIPE
This is a wonderful dessert for the holidays: the ruby colored pomegranate syrup is beautiful and festive, and baked pears are always so enticing. Make it a day ahead of time and serve with Italian-style cookies, such as Almond Biscotti, Walnut & Cinnamon Biscotti, Double Chocolate Biscotti or Italian Cornmeal Cookies. GET THE RECIPE
Want to get your family to love cauliflower? Try roasting it and tossing it with cheese. It worked for me. GET THE RECIPE
Adapted from Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible, these fluffy sweet potato biscuits can be served for breakfast or dinner. They're especially delicious slathered with homemade honey butter. GET THE RECIPE
This old-fashioned dessert of warm baked apples and tart cranberries with a crunchy oat streusel topping comes from Rustic Fruit Desserts by Cory Schreiber and Julie Richardson, a small and unassuming little cookbook full of yummy treasures. GET THE RECIPE
Made with carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and honey, this savory soup with a hint of sweetness and spice is the essence of fall. The secret ingredient is curry powder, which doesn't give the soup an Indian flavor like you might think, but rather lends a subtle hint of autumn spice. GET THE RECIPE
I first tried this wonderful side dish at a dear friend's holiday dinner. She served it with Onion-Braised Brisket and roasted vegetables, among other things, and it was truly a meal to remember. I've since made it many times and can attest that it's delicious with any sauce-laden roast or stew, and also with my easy New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp recipe. GET THE RECIPE
These sweet and spicy roasted carrots make a fabulous side dish, but they're also delicious all on their own. GET THE RECIPE
In this gorgeous fruit salad, oranges, grapefruits and pomegranate arils are soaked in their own juices. The fruit soaks up the syrup and the syrup is so good you'll want to drink it straight from the bowl. GET THE RECIPE