Fall Equinox
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The Best Fall Recipes To Celebrate The Fall Equinox
No matter how you celebrate Sept. 23, these recipes are sure to be a big hit all fall long.
by Abi Berwager Schreier
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Whether you're celebrating the Fall Equinox on Sept. 23 or celebrating Mabon — which is the Pagan celebration of the equinox — food is a tasty, fun, and important part of this day. You definitely have to have a menu of fall equinox recipes to celebrate the first day of fall, and the one time a year where the sun is directly above the equator, and day and night are equal lengths. It also means that summer is just about over, and the cooler temps and coziness of fall are on their way, so why not go for it with the food?
These recipes are the epitome of cozy, comforting, and delicious. Y'all, I am so excited it's the first day of fall, and I'm even more excited to try some of these recipes — it is soup season after all. And crockpot season, and casserole season, and the season of root vegetables, and cinnamon and nutmeg, and of course, pumpkin. The list goes on.
For Mabon, the significant and meaningful foods related to this holiday include apples, berries, grapes, grains, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, carrots, onions, and of course pumpkins, for all of those hearty harvest vibes. And you'll find these ingredients and more in this list.
1
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Nothing says fall like a delicious bowl of hot comforting soup. And this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe from Cooks with Soul is not only beautiful, but contains super nourishing ingredients like wild rice, onions, carrots, celery, chicken, and more.
2
Butternut Squash Ravioli With Brown Butter Sauce
Butternut squash is a great representative of the fall equinox in the vegetable department, and I’m obsessed with this Yummly recipe for butternut squash ravioli in brown butter sauce. It’s a little more complicated to make than some of the other recipes, but that’s what makes it extra special for the fall equinox.
3
Mabon Gingerbread Pancakes With Fried Apples
Like I said, Mabon is the Pagan celebration of the Fall Equinox, so if you really want to get into the spirit or try Paganism on for size in a delicious way, check out this Mabon Gingerbread Pancakes with Fried Apples recipe from Moody Moons. The apple is found on many Mabon altars this time of year, and it’s symbolic of Mabon and fall, per Moody Moons.
4
Caramel Apple Pie With Cheddar
Cheddar and apple pie is a southern tradition, and one that my mom's side of the family has passed down. But I have to admit ours is definitely not as good as this Caramel Apple Pie with Cheddar recipe from A Classic Twist. "Yankees" may think this combo sounds odd, but trust me. You'll love it.
5
Fall Sangria
With the warm flavors of fall, but still cool enough for those lingering hot days, this fall sangria is a must-try. Celebrate the fall equinox by mixing up a big batch of this drink featured on Yummly — it only has seven igredients —and give a cheers to the new year.
6
Herb Roasted Chicken
Otherworldly Oracle says that herb roasted chicken is a traditional Mabon meal, especially if you pair it with lemons, herbs, and onion from your garden and baste it in herb butter. Um, yes please. This Herb Roasted Chicken recipe is delicious no matter if you celebrate Mabon or not, and it needs to be on your menu this fall.
7
Chicken & Corn Chowder
Soup with potatoes, bacon, and chicken sounds like a perfect fall meal to me, and this dairy-free Chicken and Corn Chowder recipe from All the Healthy Things just looks incredible. It's like cozy in a bowl.
8
Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
I can just smell these delicious looking Caramel Apple Cider Cookies from Gimme Some Oven now. It's got all of your fall staples — apples, cinnamon, caramel. Just yum. And look at that ooey gooey caramel center. I can't.
9
Mini Sweet Potato Pies
This Mini Sweet Potato Pies recipe from Dude That Cookz is quintessential fall eating. You've got your sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar covered in this recipe.
10
Cinderella Latte Recipe With White Pumpkin
This creamier and decadent version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte is perfectly magical, and it's a great treat for Mabon. Why a white pumpkin? Well, when the fairy godmother in Cinderella enchanted the pumpkin, it turned white, according to Moody Moons. So obviously, it's just magical. You have to try this Cinderella Latte Recipe with White Pumpkin this year. I believe you just might feel enchanted.
11
Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
This Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe from Ev's Eats would be just perfect for a special fall equinox breakfast or midnight snack. Can't you just smell the brown sugar and cinnamon now?
12
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Mabon and the Fall Equinox is all about celebrating with foods that honor the hearth and harvest, according to learnreligions.com. Foods like "bread, grains, squash, and onions" come to mind, and this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup featured on Yummly would be just perfect for any Mabon or Fall Equinox celebration.
13
Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee Cake
Get your PSL fix with this delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee Cake recipe from A Classic Twist. There's even coffee in this cake, y'all.
14
Healthy Slow Cooker Chili
Chili is another ultimate fall food, whether you're preparing it for the big game or just enjoying a cozy dinner at home with family. This Healthy Slow Cooker Chili recipe from All the Healthy Things simmers for eight hours in your slow cooker. And oh, the combination of flavors are incredible. The use of ground turkey and nonfat plain greek yogurt in lieu of sour cream in this recipe lightens it up a bit from traditional chili.
15
Buckeye Candies
"The Buckeye is associated with prosperity and abundance" and the nuts "have been used in folk magic for many years," according to learnreligions.com. And since the nuts from the actual Buckeye tree are quite poisonous to humans, try this Buckeye Candies recipe featured on Yummly to get that nutty flavor, and to celebrate Mabon and the fall equinox.
16
Apple Sausage Stuffing Bites
I love making a meal out of appetizers, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do with this Yummly recipe for apple sausage stuffing bites. Look how perfect they are! Apples are associated with Mabon and the fall equinox, and all of those yummy fall flavors in this dish help bring out the sweetness of the fruit.
17
Loaded Beer Cheese Skillet
You had me at beer and cheese. But seriously, this Loaded Beer and Cheese Skillet recipe from Brown Sugar would be perfect for watching the leaves change and enjoying some delicious snacks, or it would be awesome to snack on while reading a good book by the fire. Pick your adventure.
18
Roasted Vegetables With Smashed Garlic
This roasted vegetables with smashed garlic recipe could not be easier, and is just packed full of your favorite fall flavors. It’s the perfect dish to celebrate the fall equinox, and you can easily pair it with a main dish or meat, or just eat a big bowl of delicious roasted veggies. (Maybe top them with an egg.)
19
Beef Shepherd’s Pie
There's nothing like enjoying a homemade shepherd's pie while the wind blows cold outside on a crisp fall evening. This Beef Shepherd's Pie recipe from Dinner then Dessert does not disappoint, and everyone will love those creamy mashed potatoes, veggies, and beef.
20
Baked Apple Chips
Apples again. Seeing a theme here? A delicious theme, that is. This Baked Apple Chips recipe from Yummly is the perfect healthy fall snack to enjoy with your tea while sitting by the fire. (Bonus: it’s literally three ingredients.)
21
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Pumpkin bread is good on its own, but add in chocolate chips? Swoon. This is such a warm, comforting dish full of all those fall spices you love. Make this pumpkin chocolate chip bread for breakfast, or just cut it up in pieces for the perfect fall snack all season long. (It’ll last like, two days, it’s so good.)
22
Sausage Pumpkin Pasta
A big bowl of pasta is the ultimate comfort food, but this sausage pumpkin pasta really ups the ante. All of those lovely flavors go together beautifully, and it’s a cinch to pull together. Enjoy this one on the fall equinox, but keep it in your recipe box for all season long.
23
Garlic Herb Butter
Herbs have a lot of connection to Mabon and the fall equinox, so making a big batch of garlic herb butter is a great way to celebrate. This recipe from Yummly is super easy (and delish) and you can save the butter in your fridge to enjoy on everything from bread to a roast chicken or even to cook your eggs in for breakfast. So good.
24
Apple Cider Baked Chicken
Since apples are quintessential fall, as well as being an official food of Mabon, you can't go wrong with having this Apple Cider Baked Chicken recipe from Gimme Some Oven on your menu, no matter how you celebrate the day or what you're celebrating.
25
Fall Salad With Pomegranate Dressing
Salads aren’t just for the warmer months. With the right ingredients, you can enjoy the perfect fall equinox salad like this fall salad with pomegranate dressing. It’s loaded with lots of warm autumn flavors, and is easy to double or even triple if you want to enjoy with friends or for a week of lunches.
26
Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes
I already love mashed potatoes, and I love pumpkin. My two fall favorites are combined into one with this incredible Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes recipe from Steamy Kitchen. Talk about fall in a bowl.
27
Apple Crumble
I’m so glad apples are connected to Mabon and the fall equinox so that this apple crumble is right on theme. It is literally so easy to make, but tastes extra impressive and delicious. Eat cold for breakfast, warm it up and top it with ice cream, drizzle it in caramel —so many ways to enjoy it.
28
Tortellini Sausage Soup
I love tortellini. Something about it just screams fall to me, and this recipe featured on Yummly for tortellini sausage soup is a must. It’s a really easy and fairly quick recipe to pull together, but your whole house will smell delightful and it’s loaded with all of the good, hearty vibes of fall.
29
Okra Curry Recipe
I know okra can be a divisive food, but if you're from the south, I think it's the law that you enjoy okra. But this Okra Curry recipe from Healthier Steps will make a believer out of you for sure, or maybe take you out of that fried okra comfort zone. This dish is cozy and will surely warm you up on a fall evening.
30
Roasted Fall Vegetable & Sausage Sheet Pan Meal
A sheet pan meal? Perfection. A sheet pan meal full of roasted fall veggies and sausage? I have no words. This recipe is so easy and is a great busy weeknight meal for fall. You could also prep it early in the week for lunches.
31
Savory Beef Stew
Is there anything more perfect on a fall night than a big bowl of beef stew? This savory beef stew recipe featured on Yummly uses beer, garlic, and plenty of seasoning for a fall-apart chuck roast that is unbelievably good. This is the kind of stick-to-your-ribs meal you want for a fall dinner.
Whether you’re planning on a big fall equinox/Mabon celebration or just want to try something new and delicious for the season change, these gorgeous fall recipes are here for you. Enjoy them all autumn long.
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