I know Autumn is here when leaves start to change color, days grow shorter and cooler, and stores bypass the Thanksgiving holiday altogether by going straight to Christmas marketing. However, in a much more personal way, I know fall has arrived because I become obsessed with cooking and baking. I love everything about it – the smells, the colors, the excitement of trying new dishes….the carbohydrates (yikes!).
Wondering if was the only one who experienced this affliction, I turned to the internet for a bit of snooping and found out I was not alone. Apparently, my fall culinary OCD is quite common and can be attributed to a preparatory winter survival behavior passed down to us by our ancestors. And as interesting as all this is, I also think humans love cooking in the fall for a variety of other reasons as well:
Seasonal Ingredients and Harvest Time
Fall is the time for an abundance of seasonal produce like pumpkins, squash, apples, sweet potatoes, beets, and root vegetables. These ingredients are perfect for hearty soups, stews, pies, and roasts.
Comfort Food Cravings
As the weather cools down, people often crave comfort foods that are hearty, warming, and filling. Few of us can resist a piece of warm apple cobbler, roast turkey, homemade soups, or pumpkin pie. Stated another way, homemade comfort food = love.
Socializing and Family Gatherings
Fall is a time when people tend to spend more time indoors, and cooking becomes a way to bring people together. It’s also a time for Halloween, football Sundays, and Thanksgiving.
The Cozy Atmosphere
The cooler, shorter days of fall create an atmosphere that encourages staying inside, lighting candles, and cooking. There are few things more soothing than snuggling with a loved one under a blanket, the glow of a fireplace, and the scent of nutmeg and spices in the air.
Nostalgia and Tradition
For many, fall cooking is connected to nostalgia—remembering the meals their parents or grandparents made, or certain foods that were special to fall holidays. The act of cooking these meals encourages joy, and feelings of warmth, family, and tradition.
Why do you enjoy fall cooking?
Have a wonderful (and delicious) week.
