September is when summer and fall produce collide at the farmers’ market. It’s the best of both worlds, which is why this list is a long one. I propose that we make good use of all the tomatoes, corn and peaches while we still can.
Labor Day weekend is upon us, and we’re also celebrating our daughter Grace’s second birthday! We’re ordering pizza and serving it with Erin’s Peach & Avocado Green Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad, Blueberry Cake and a strawberry cake just like it (requested by the birthday girl), plus Peach Crisp with peaches from our neighbor.
For more Labor Day recipes, check this roundup! You’ll also find loads of seasonal recipes below.
Apples
Crispy Apple & Kohlrabi Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this salad last night ahead of time, and added the toasted seeds and cheese (gruyere) at serving time. It’s so delicious! I also traded the tarragon for mint. I will use this recipe whenever I get kohlrabi in my CSA box. Thanks!” – Erin
Berries! Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries & Strawberries
Summertime Fruit Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This fruit salad is amazing! Definitely the highlight of my brunch, loved by all. Used basil, not mint. Spectacular flavors!” – Liz
More blueberry recipes » (also blackberries, raspberries and strawberries)
Broccoli
Spinach Pasta with Roasted Broccoli & Bell Pepper
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this last night. Followed the instructions precisely. Divine. I think it’s worth taking the time to roast the veggies. It’s going in my “make again…and again” file.” – Laureen
Cabbage
Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“SO GOOD! I made these tonight for dinner. Everyone (husband, 2 teenage girls and me!) loved them. It took a bit to assemble each one, but my youngest daughter made the peanut sauce while I assembled and it worked out.” – Michelle
Carrots
Healthy Carrot Muffins
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this recipe as directed and they came out incredibly delicious. I will definitely keep the recipe and add it to the repertoire! Thanks!” – Maryel
Cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
Gluten free and easily vegan
“These tacos are perfection. I made the recipe for the first time for a dinner party (taco bar, vegan option (using vegan mayo)) and it was a smashing success. It’s always risky to make a new recipe to feed guests, but the rave reviews were spot on. These are going into my weeknight rotation. Thank you!” – Rachel
Corn
Garden-Fresh Corn Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan
“Oh my gosh I love this salad. I never review anything but it is just so good! The taste of summer in all of its raw herby goodness.” – Tess
Cucumber
Greek Wedge Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this last night and it was SO good- loved the dressing especially. I skipped the shallot and marinating part because I was short on time and it was fine without. Used fresh tomatoes and cucumber from my deck pots. You give The Mixx a run for their money. Definitely will be making again :)” – Emily
Eggplant
Roasted Eggplant & Tomato Orzo Pasta
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made the vegan version of this recipe the day you posted it. I didn’t have orzo so I used small penne. It was delicious! I will be roasting eggplant again! And the roasted tomatoes were also amazing–roasting enhances their flavor. The lemony dressing is very good and compliments all of the tastes in the dish. We were mmmm-ing and wow–ing as we ate. Thanks! I know I will make this again and again.” – Julie
Fennel
Autumn Kale Salad with Fennel and Honeycrisp
Gluten free
“Not sure why I waited so long to try this one – just exceptional. Made it for a supper club last night and it was such a hit. The fennel is such a perfect touch – cannot wait to use it more often. Luckily, I have enough ingredients to continue whipping this up throughout the week. Can kale salads please be your biggest chapter in the upcoming book? My absolute favourite!” – Emily
Grapes
Roasted Grape Crostini with Brie and Fresh Thyme
Just vegetarian
I need you to try these crostini and let me know how you like them!
That’s my only recipe with grapes so far. More to come.
Green Beans
Blackened Green Bean and Quinoa Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This might actually be my favourite grain salad ever. The combination of textures is phenomenal– definitely don’t skip the toasted almonds! It’s a little bit involved but if you multitask it comes together fairly quickly. I’ve made it several times now and will definitely continue to do so as long as I can get fresh sweet corn!” – Elinor
That’s my only green bean recipe! Here are some great green bean recipes at Love and Lemons »
Greens
Greek Lentil Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“I made the Lentil salad tonight for my husband and I and we both loved it. I used green lentils as the black weren’t available. The dressing was great – I would use that again in a variety of things. My kids sampled it too (ages 10 and 9) and declared they would bring it to school in their lunches. Overall a hit with my family.” – Lisa
Herbs
Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Sauce
Gluten free and easily vegan
This recipe is brand new. Please make it and report back!
More basil recipes » (also cilantro and dill)
Kale
Kale Pecan Pesto
Gluten free and easily vegan
“You’re probably tired of hearing this, but OMG, this recipe is sooo good. I’m not a fan of most pestos, but this is fresh, herby, and rich. I would eat this straight out of the food processor bowl even if I didn’t have a spoon! Thank you for yet another outstanding recipe.” – Patricia
Melons
Arugula & Watermelon Salad
Gluten free
“I added pine nuts and pickled onion…..yum yum. Didn’t need the dressing. Love your site as I’m trying to clean up my eating but love food so it has to taste great! Your recipes fit the bill!” – Karen
More watermelon recipes » (also cantaloupe and these honeydew margaritas)
Peaches
Simple Peach, Basil and Ricotta Flatbread
Vegetarian and delicious
“Kate, I love this recipe! It’s such a good, quick, summery dinner. I popped it in the oven after a late night at work last week (when I was starving!) and the timer went off just after I had changed into some comfy clothes.
Everyone: if you’re having a “sweets” craving, trying drizzling a little honey over the entire assembled dish. NOM.” – Jennifer
Pears
Pear, Raspberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Just vegetarian
“This morning I was frantically running around the kitchen in desperate search for a healthy lunch to pack. So you saved me! It took me 4 minutes to prep all of this and take it to-go. Now I’m sitting quietly at my desk waiting for lunch time. Is it here yet?” – Sylvia
Peppers
Vegetable Paella
Gluten free and vegan
“Wow – This dish is amazing! The smoky rice and colorful veggies make this recipe pop both in flavor and aesthetically. My first time making Paella and it came together easily. I was even successful with the socarrat. Thanks for another delicious recipe :-)” – Dani
More bell pepper recipes » (also jalapeños)
Plums
Plum Crisp
Gluten-free and easily vegan (see notes)
“I made this as a dessert for a ladies group dinner and everyone LOVED it! Thank you.” – Daniela
Pumpkin
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I just made these and I can’t believe how amazing they turned out! Until now most of my healthy baking attemps were more or less a failure.. These little guys however are super fluffy, not too sweet and the warming spices are just right for rainy days. Thank you, I love it!
I’m excited to try out your zucchini bread which is gonna ne next :)” – Janina
Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Gluten-free and vegan
“I made these exactly by the recipe and they turned out great. I used a heavy bottomed glass to smash them and it was easy. I sprinkled with fresh rosemary and thyme and they were mmm.” – Becky
Radishes
Fresh Herbed Avocado Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“I made this tonight and it was so delicious! The flavors were just the right mix. Definitely adding it as a regular dish I make. Thank you!” – Nicole
Summer Squash
Best Vegetable Lasagna
Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)
“Hi Kate, Thank you for all your wonderful recipes. This is one of my favorites, and make it probably way too often, not that anyone complains. I always used Ricotta until this recipe and really like the cottage cheese instead. Healthier and it really does add flavor. This is my go to site whenever I need a recipe” – Jennifer
More zucchini recipes » (also yellow squash)
Tomatoes
Heirloom Caprese Salad
Gluten free
“I made this delicious and beautiful salad. I usually make little towers with the tomatoes, cheese and basil but this was so much better and the flavors married better. Using the heirloom tomatoes was a wonderful new element and added more flavor and of course the presentation was almost too pretty to eat! Thank for a new twist on an old favorite.” – Gayle
Don’t forget to tag your Instagram recipe photos #cookieandkate so we can all see them! If you’re looking for an ingredient that didn’t make the list, check my ingredient index for relevant recipes.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Jessie @ Chasing Belle
I absolutely loved that eggplant and orzo salad when I made it! Happy to hear that they are still in season. I can not resist a good pumpkin muffin when fall is around the corner either :)
Kate
Thanks, Jessie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Rhian @ Rhian's Recipes
These all look delicious, thank you for sharing!
olga
Dear Kate,
I just recently subscribed *I’ve been vegan for only over 9 months, and of course since then I’ve been looking for recipes and advice all over, because I love to cook. I have to tell you, your website is one of the best and has the yummiest recipes. Thank you so much!!
Kate
Thank you so much, Olga! I’m glad you found my blog. :)
Lisa Finegan
Yum!!! I am starving just looking at all these recipes! Don’t know which one to make first.
I also want to let you know that I have not eaten store bought granola since I first made the “clumpy granola,” that went with the stewed rhubarb. My family LOVES it! We call it “the crack granola!”
Keep up the yummy work!
Kate
Crack granola! Haha. Thanks, Lisa!
Kathleen
This reader is 100% in favor of fun links. I love your style!
Kate
Yay, thanks Kathleen!
Kim
Kate,
Don’t listen to the haters. I love your blog posts because you let your personality really shine. Plus, your recipes can’t be beat! I make your healthy pumpkin muffins every week for school lunches. You also highlighted my favorite recipes of yours — simple seedy slaw (so good!) & roasted cauliflower and lentil tacos (yum!). The summertime fruit salad was also amazing, which surprised me coming from a non-fruit lover.
Thank you for inspiring me, and filling my tummy with amazing food.
Kate
Thank you, Kim! Delighted to hear that you’ve enjoyed those recipes. Have a great weekend!
Nicole George
These look awesome! Especially the eggplant and broccoli pasta look incredible.
XO
Nicole |www.bynicolegeorge.com
Kate
Thanks, Nicole!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
That apple salad looks so delicious! Can’t wait until the fresh Honey Crisps come to my local market. Happy Fall to you!
Kate
Thanks, Karen! I love Honey Crisps!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen
Whoa! I started doing produce guides in about March of this year and love seeing that you do them too! Obviously you’ve been doing them longer than me as I’ve just noticed haha but love seeing them! I’m also recovering from a summer cold (bleh!) so I totally understand – hope you feel better!
Kate
Well, cool! Hope you feel better soon, too. I’ve been drinking lots of warm lemon water with honey and that helps the cough go away.
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen
Great idea. Thanks Kate!
DANA
These posts are my FAVORITE THING EVER. Thanks for the roundups friend!
Kate
Yay! I think they were your idea, if I remember correctly, so thank you!
Vicky & Ruth- May I Have That Recipe
Can’t believe it’s September already! Where did the summer go? Hope you get over your summer cold :) All the recipes look great! Thank you for sharing!
Kate
I don’t know where it went! I don’t think I even hopped into a swimming pool this summer.
Theresa
So many great dishes to try. You always inspire my meal planning. Keep bringing on the recipes.
Kate
Will do! Thank you, Theresa.
Molly
I enjoyed your fun links last month! And this list “what to cook” list made me feel just a little bit better about letting go of summer and moving into fall. Can’t wait to make pumpkin muffins!
Kate
Letting go of summer is hard! But fall brings some wonderful food too. All the pumpkin and fall squash!
Erin
Just made the seedy cabbage slaw, and it was easy to do/tastes fantastic. Thanks! Cant wait to try the cauliflower-lentil and black bean-corn tacos later this week.
Kate
Thank you, Erin! Glad to hear it.
Marsha McDonough
Here’s a shout out for your creativity with broccoli rabe. I bought 3 beautiful bunches at the market last Sunday and enjoyed 3 of your delicious recipes. All were delicious: a masssaged salad, quesadillas, and a pasta dish. The quesadillas were my favorite. Please keep your recipes coming my way, and, thank you Cookie and Kate.
Kate
Thank you, Marsha! I’m so glad you enjoyed all the broccoli rabe recipes. :)
Teresa
I just so happened to click on the “strangers are the ones who save you” link and was enjoying the writing (and message) so much that I actually read the whole article. I did quite the double take when I realized the stranger he was talking about was YOU!! That’s amazing! And what a beautiful story… some of those connections gave me chills. Have you shared about this on the blog before? I’m a new reader (via your book, which was via gimmesomeoven). If not I’d be really interested in reading a guide on how that all worked and how some of your readers might go about it. I’ve heard great things about adult stem cell use but this is the first account I’ve read of someone who personally participated…
Loving your book, too. My husband and I were guesstimating how many times we’ve made the plumped cranberries, kale, and quinoa salad… 30 maybe? And I totally did tape the cheat sheet up on my cabinet drawer! :)
Kate
Oh, I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece, Teresa! He’s a special guy, and I’m so thankful I could be of such help to him and his family. I did talk about donating! I’ve got a blog post on it here. I hope it’s educational, and encourages you to donate, too! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the book. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment!
Sönne
Dear Kate,
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now and have never commented although I love your recipes. I usually just quickly scroll through your monthly fresh produce/recipe suggestions – just in case something catches my eye. I don’t know why but today I clicked on one of the links you shared on the top, just one. And this one article you linked has me in tears right now.
Having lost my cousin to leukemia when I was just 16 broke my heart. Ever since I’ve been somehow invested in ‘success’ stories of leukemia patients. I’ve donated money to charities, read a bunch of books on the topic and, of course, registered as a possible donor myself. Too few people are aware of how important it is to register. How ‘easily’ you can save a life.
I just want to thank you for spreading awareness about this topic. To me, and I’m sure to many others, it means more than words can express.
x
Kate
Oh, Sönne, my heart goes out to you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s stories like yours that drove me to register in the first place, and yes– I was totally shocked at how easy it was, too, and for such a huge impact. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post–he’s a special guy, isn’t he? I’m so glad I could be of help when he needed it.
Ella
Yay, I’ve been waiting for this post! I’ve set myself a challenge to cook 15 recipes from your blog this month, so this is perfect – definitely going to try the Kale, Black Bean & Avocado Burrito Bowl and Carrot Muffins :)
Kate
I *love* that challenge! I hope you have so much fun with it, Ella. Let me know which ones you try and how they go!
Kathrin
Hey Kate,
I just skimmed through this list as I was getting read to try another one of your cookbook recipes (the Moroccan Stew!). For some reason I clicked on the “its the stranges that save you” link and I am so happy that you chose to donate stem cells for a stranger. I love that my fave food person is also a wonderful person :). You gave William a second chance at life and that is absolutely amazing!!
Thanks for all that you do :)
Kate
Thank you, Kathrin! Donating to Bill was truly the best thing I’ve ever done. Thank you for your note, and have a great weekend!
Tanu
Kate- I’m a long time reader (your recipes are perfect for my busy medical student life!), but I have never commented until now. What you did for William Harper was truly altruistic and simply amazing. We need more wonderful souls like yours on this planet! Keep up the great work :)
Kate
Thank you, Tanu! I hope the story inspires more people to join the registry!
Pavlína P.
Ohh nice work! That cauliflower tacos looks soo delicious! :) I should try them :)
Kate
Yes, you should! Those are some of my favorites.
Cassie Autumn Tran
YAYYYY, pumpkin, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, apples, peppers, grapes, green beans, and eggplant!
Kate
All great things!
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite
I just discovered HUGE carrots in my garden today, so can’t wait to make some of those recipes with them! :)
Kate
Let me know what you try!
Nicole Giumarra
Just had to comment that your Roasted Cauliflower and lentil tacos are one of my favorite recipes. So delicious, unique and appealing to meat eaters and vegetarians!
Also, another way to use red grapes: pizza! I love to brush a homemade dough with olive oil, S&P, shredded fontina and parm cheese, top with halved red grapes and bake. Once out of the oven, top with arugula. Savory and sweet and so good!
Kate
Wonderful! Thanks, Nicole.
Cassie Autumn Tran
Pumpkin, carrots, berries, summer squash, cauliflower, eggplant–I AM READY.
Kate
Agreed!
Teresa
I always look forward to your emails. Your combinations are right on for my taste. Keep up the awesome work.
Kate
I’m really happy to hear that! Thanks so much for your review.
Aravind
So much ideas in a single post… Thank You…
Kate
You’re welcome!
Brynlee
I feel like I’m missing out. Pumpkin Spice Season has started, with all its variations of pumpkin spice goodies, but none of them are nourishing and wholesome. So I am wondering if you can make pumpkin spice recipes that are healthy, naturally sweetened, wholesome, nourishing, basically the way you make all of your recipes. I don’t want to miss out on the fall season, I want to make it better, in the wholesome way.
Kate
Hi Brylee! It is the pumpkin and pumpkin spice season, right. Check out some of these pumpkin recipes! https://cookieandkate.com/tag/pumpkin/ You can always search by ingredient either in the search bar or in the menu. Hope this helps!
Kimberly
Thank you for another great “what to cook this month” compilation! I work with many low-income patients and am always recommending your blog as a great example of how to find what’s in season!
Kate
I’m happy you find them so helpful!
Becca
What a GREAT post! Beautiful and appealing – well done!
Shirley
Love those soft organic towels too! I got some in rose a few months ago, and they are super soft. Yes to those fun links you post!
Kate
Thank you!
Marilyn Kay
Love the recipes! Got your cook book and absolutely loving it, thank you!
But Stephen Colbert? That man can be hateful and divisive. So sad.
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love my suggestion!, but I appreciate the feedback.
Kayla
So basically everything. LOL which is why I love September!!
Lisa Humby
Hi! I would like to say a huge thank you for sharing your amazing recipes. At the beginning of this year we went vegetarian. Your website & newsletters are my absolute favourite & life saver. Thank you so much!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Lisa! I’m happy to hear that.
Julia
These recipes look delicious. Will make many of them over the fall. Thank you for sharing!
Claire McKenzie
I’m feeling super inspired. I need something to lift my spirits this weekend! Thank you Kate!
Kate
Be sure to comment on what you have tried! Happy cooking :)
Jennifer K
I totally agree with you about the Straus mint chocolate chip ice cream!
Also, I always look forward to your What To Cook This Month series.
Elliot Alderson
I love this blog, I just discovered it.
Kate
Welcome, Elliot! Be sure to let me know what you think as you try recipes.
Diane
Love your site1 Makes me want to cook even MORE!
Krystal
It sounds like Grace will be enjoying a yummy feast for her birthday! I’ve been craving Mediterranean flavors this weekend, so I will be making your Greek salad shown above and also your hummus for our Labor Day gathering :)