Frugal Foodie: Put aside pumpkin, pick up new fall flavors

Recently, many cafés and stores have been displaying their fall items as the start of autumn came on Wednesday Sept. 23. It seems, however, as if the beginning of fall is actually the beginning of pumpkin-flavored treats in our consumer-driven culture. With what seems like an all-you-can-eat buffet assortment of pumpkin treats during the autumn months, other seasonal options are typically overlooked.There are so many more fall-specific, enjoyable flavors than pumpkin. Apple, squash, cranberry, cinnamon, nutmeg and salted caramel top this list, along with a variety of different nutty pleasures such as almond, pecan, hazelnut and walnut to finish off the cornucopia of fall flavor. So branch out this fall and enjoy some delicious tastes other than pumpkin. Explore a bit on your next coffee trip—maybe ask for nutty syrup in your latte rather than the usual pumpkin. Instead of coffee, order a hot chocolate or dip into the world of tea. Don’t forget to splurge a bit with pastries such as an apple crumble bar, cinnamon bun or almond Danish. Nothing helps one get into the autumnal spirit more than enjoying all the yummy tastes fall has to offer. You don’t have to exclude pumpkin, just make the effort to indulge in and savor other seasonal delights as well. To get started, check out this quick and easy recipe:

Ingredients:

2 apples 2 tsp. apple pie sauce 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed lightly 1/3 cup pecans 1/3 cup walnuts 2/3 cup raisons 2 (8-oz.) cans Pillsbury Original Crescents 6 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. cinnamon 1 tbsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Place all triangles of dough on flat surface. Brush dough with melted butter. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg on both sides of each piece of dough. Slice the apples into desired shapes and sizes, keeping them small enough to fit inside the crescent rolls. Put raisins, pecans, walnuts and apple chunks inside dough triangles and roll them up. Cook according to the Pillsbury directions. Serve warm.