"Fall" food suggestions for potluck

lovesclimbing

So, H and I just started going to this Monday night dinners thing that some of the young couples in our church do.  We've only been once.  Basically, everyone brings something and they have a Facebook group and the person who hosts it at their home decides on a theme.  This week is pumpkin/fall.  And I'm at a loss.

I am NOT going to make anything involving an actual pumpkin/squash because that takes too long to cook and carve and all that jazz.  So what are some good fall ideas?  I want something that isn't crazy expensive and is relatively quick and easy to make. Side dish or entree or whatever.

Suggestions?

I'm thinking potatoes are relatively fallish.  Pinterest is not helping.

hellohkb

What about a hearty chili or stew? I love eating that in the fall and you and you can throw it in the crockpot.

jdluvr06

Maybe some veggie soup? You can stick that in a crock pot.

blabla89

What about a fall themed salad? Hearty greens, apples or pears, nuts, pumpkin seeds, maybe some bacon crumbles? You could also do fried apples. They're simple to make.

littlemushroom

I would do a side of diced roasted root vegetables, like potatoes, parsnip, butternut squash, etc. Cutting them smaller means they cook faster.

I make potatoes and onions that are always a hit. Slice regular potatoes or buy baby golden potatoes and cut in half/quarters, and out in bottom of the pan. Season potatoes with garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Slice an onion or two and lay over top of potatoes. Cut up a half stick to one stick of margarine and lay over the top of onions. Cover with foil and bake until potatoes and onions are tender.

If you wanted to do a dessert, anything with apples is appropriate for fall. I have a crock pot recipe for caramel "fondue" to dip apples or other fruit in.

Depending on how many people will be there, you could roast a turkey breast too. I have found them for $2/lb, and putting them in an oven bag means it only takes 2 hours to cook. Make gravy from the drippings or buy canned/jarred.

climbingsingle

Pulled pork? Is that fallish? I have no idea. 

Nacho layer dip 

Potatoes are always pretty cheap and easy. Garlic mashed are my favorite 

theartistformerlyknownas

Roasted butternut squash is great in a salad. You can buy it already cut up to save some time. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-butternut-squash-salad-with-warm-cider-vinaigrette-recipe.html

lacqueredlover

Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows on top.  It's the best.  

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-potato-casserole-ii-2/

KatieinBkln

I'd do a roasted vegetable dish--you can throw parsnips, butternut or delicata squash (love delicata because you don't have to peel it, just get rid of the seeds and chop), sweet potatoes, rutabagas, celeriac, WHATEVER on a sheet pan with some oil and herbs (I do salt, pepper, and sometimes a few sprigs of rosemary, or even just a few grinds from an Herbs de Provence shaker) and bake that sucker at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or so, till everything is tender. 

Then you can go nuts--put the veggies on top of spinach or kale or whatever green you like and call it a salad (pop some fresh chopped parsley on top for extra fanciness and a hit of freshness). Or put it in a bowl of cooked quinoa or rice for something more "main course." If you use brown or wild rice, that will be even more autumnal, in my opinion. 

Peaseblossom55

Bean Soup or minestrone soup.

sarawifenow

I know you said squash is out, but I like to roast butternut squash and sweet potatoes then I throw them in a big pot and add some veggie stock, heavy cream,  salt/pepper, sage, and tiny sprinkle of brown sugar. Then I use my immersion blender (regular blender would work too) and blend until velvety smooth. Top with more heavy cream, roasted pumpkin seeds, and whatever else you want. So easy and SO good!

labro

There are tons of pumpkin recipes out there and all you need is canned pumpkin puree - no carving or dicing required! Pumpkin chili is delicious and easy to throw together! I also make pumpkin bread all the time in the fall. It's a great make ahead and freeze for when you need it sort of recipe.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Chili/

My favorite version of pumpkin bread:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Bread-IV/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=pumpkin%20bread%20iv&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i1

What about bringing something like hot apple cider in a crockpot? That's also very fallish.

 

emmaaa

Mashed potatoes are always my go to when I'm in a hurry and can't think of anything. We did a fall themed pot luck on Saturday and I took mashed potatoes and pulled pork. Chili would be good too!

RebeccaFlower

I've made this for a potluck before and people raved. Butternut squash stuffed shells. 

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/butternut-squash-stuffed-shells-with-sage-browned-butter/

wandajune6

Sweet potatoes are always good. I like them with butter and a bit of brown sugar but you could also dress them up with marshmallows, whiskey, or pecans.

I love serving roasted potatoes in different colors- red, whine, purple, etc. Roasted and tossed with butter and parsley is always wonderful.

In DH's family, fall means his SILs start making arroz con gandules (AKA Puerto Rican rice). There's no way I could explain their recipes but this looks about right: http://www.goya.com/english/recipes/arroz-con-gandules

My niece (not Puerto Rican) can eat her weight in the stuff. My dad hints for leftovers, and DH and I fight over the crispy bits at the bottom of the pot.

ETA: he's DH, not FI. I'm a little slow...

lovesclimbing

Thank for the suggestions!  I actually ended up taking some muffins that had tomatoes and cheese in them, so kind of hearty and, I hope, fallish.