Introduction
Seasonal eating is more than a food trend; it is a lifestyle that connects communities to local harvests while offering fresh, nutrient-rich meals. In El Paso, Texas, September and October mark a special time of transition from summer to fall. Late-summer fruits still appear in farmers’ markets, while cool-season vegetables and classic autumn crops start to arrive. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and pears highlight the fall harvest, while broccoli, carrots, and leafy greens grow in abundance (Texas Real Food, 2024a; Texas Real Food, 2024b).
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, a chiropractor and nurse practitioner in El Paso, notes that seasonal eating is not only about taste—it also supports recovery and resilience. In his clinic, which treats injuries from motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), sports, and workplace accidents, nutrition is an integral part of integrative care. Fresh produce offers anti-inflammatory compounds, fiber, and essential vitamins that play a crucial role in musculoskeletal healing and overall long-term health. His dual-scope training enables him to integrate advanced imaging and diagnostics with dietary strategies that enhance outcomes for injured patients (Jimenez, 2024a).
This article explores the rich variety of fruits and vegetables available in El Paso during September and October, simple recipe ideas, and how integrative clinical care links nutrition with recovery.
Late Summer Meets Early Fall in El Paso
El Paso’s climate allows for a mix of late-summer produce alongside fall crops. In September, shoppers can still find watermelon, cantaloupe, figs, and grapes, while pears, apples, and persimmons begin to appear (A-Z Animals, 2023). By October, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, leafy greens, and root vegetables take center stage (Texas Real Food, 2024b; Center for Science in the Public Interest [CSPI], 2024).
Key Fruits in Season
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Apples – Crisp, versatile, and rich in fiber. Excellent for snacking, baking, or making apple cider jams (Mimi’s Organic Eats, 2023).
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Pears – Juicy and mild, often paired with cheese or roasted with spices.
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Persimmons – A late-fall fruit with natural sweetness, ideal for baking and preserves (Mimi’s Organic Eats, 2023).
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Prickly Pears – Found in El Paso’s desert climate, these cactus fruits offer antioxidants and can be turned into limeades or syrups (The Fit Cookie, 2024).
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Grapes & Melons – Still abundant in September, excellent for fruit salads or gazpacho blends (The Fresh Market, 2024a).
Key Vegetables in Season
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Pumpkins & Winter Squash – Great for roasting, soups, or even salads (The Fresh Market, 2024b).
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Sweet Potatoes – Energy-rich and naturally sweet, a staple for comforting autumn meals (Hy-Vee, 2024).
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Broccoli & Leafy Greens – Provide calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants that support musculoskeletal health.
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Carrots & Root Vegetables – Perfect for roasted vegetable plates or soups (Fueling a Southern Soul, 2024).
Clinical Connection: Nutrition and Injury Recovery
Dr. Jimenez emphasizes that fresh produce aligns with musculoskeletal recovery strategies. After an injury, inflammation must be managed without compromising tissue healing. Foods like broccoli, leafy greens, squash, and carrots contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, which support the repair of connective tissue. Sweet potatoes, high in complex carbohydrates, offer sustained energy for patients resuming physical therapy exercises (Jimenez, 2024b).
At his El Paso clinic, advanced imaging is often used to assess spinal or joint injuries, while integrative nutrition and therapies—such as massage, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture—are employed to reduce pain and prevent long-term complications. A balanced diet rich in seasonal produce reinforces these treatments by promoting circulation, reducing systemic inflammation, and supporting bone health (Jimenez, 2024a).
Easy Seasonal Recipes for September and October
1. Roasted Vegetable Plate
A medley of carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and squash tossed with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, roasted until tender. This simple recipe can be prepared in under 40 minutes and pairs well with grilled chicken or quinoa (Fueling a Southern Soul, 2024).
2. Apple-Pear Fruit Salad with Walnuts
A refreshing mix of diced apples, pears, and grapes, topped with a light honey-lemon dressing and sprinkled with walnuts for crunch and omega-3s (Denver Post, 2006).
3. Pumpkin Seed Salad with Greens
Leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, tossed with roasted pumpkin seeds and a peppercorn dressing. This makes a perfect side dish packed with antioxidants (The Full Helping, 2020).
4. Prickly Pear Limeade
A seasonal El Paso classic: prickly pear cactus fruit blended with lime juice and sparkling water for a naturally sweet, antioxidant-rich drink (The Fit Cookie, 2024).
5. Sheet Pan Piri Piri Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts roasted alongside seasoned chicken, delivering protein and complex carbs in a one-pan meal (Marley Spoon, 2024).
6. Persimmon-Apple Cider Jam
Perfect for fall breakfasts, this recipe combines apples, persimmons, sugar, and spices into a cozy preserve (Mimi’s Organic Eats, 2023).
Lifestyle Integration: Seasonal Eating in Injury Care
Injury recovery often requires lifestyle adjustments. Dr. Jimenez highlights that patients recovering from MVAs or sports injuries need anti-inflammatory diets, physical rehabilitation, and stress management. Seasonal produce provides natural support by enhancing gut health, immune response, and musculoskeletal strength.
For example:
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Pumpkin & squash soups offer warm comfort while delivering vitamin A for tissue repair.
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Leafy green salads reduce oxidative stress, supporting spine and joint recovery.
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Carrots & root vegetables aid hydration and provide minerals for nerve and muscle function.
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Apples & pears add fiber, which improves gut health and overall energy metabolism.
By combining advanced diagnostics, such as MRI and X-ray imaging, with integrative treatments and nutrition counseling, his clinic ensures that each patient’s care plan is personalized, comprehensive, and effective (Jimenez, 2024a; Jimenez, 2024b).
Conclusion
September and October in El Paso offer a vibrant array of seasonal produce that bridges the transition from summer freshness to autumn comfort. Apples, pears, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and leafy greens not only taste great but also provide powerful nutrients that support healing, energy, and long-term wellness.
Incorporating these foods into daily meals, using easy recipes, can help families enjoy the season while promoting healthy habits. As Dr. Jimenez emphasizes, integrative approaches that combine nutrition, chiropractic care, diagnostic imaging, and physical therapies can transform recovery from injuries into opportunities for lasting wellness.
References
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A-Z Animals. (2023). What Texas fruits are in season throughout the year.
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Center for Science in the Public Interest. (2024). What’s in season: October produce guide.
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Denver Post. (2006). Give fruit salads panache: Make them savory.
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Fueling a Southern Soul. (2024). Come to the table roasted vegetable plate.
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Hy-Vee. (2024). Fall meals with autumn produce.
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Jimenez, A. (2024a). Dr. Alex Jimenez – LinkedIn profile.
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Jimenez, A. (2024b). Clinical insights on integrative injury care.
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Marley Spoon. (2024). Easy prep sheet pan Piri Piri chicken with sweet potatoes & Brussels sprouts.
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Mimi’s Organic Eats. (2023). Persimmon apple cider jam.
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Texas Real Food. (2024a). What’s in season in Texas: September.
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Texas Real Food. (2024b). What’s in season in Texas: October.
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The Fit Cookie. (2024). Prickly pear limeade.
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The Fresh Market. (2024a). Gazpacho salad.
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The Fresh Market. (2024b). Squash guide
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and physical medicine, as well as wellness, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and the jurisdiction in which they are licensed to practice. We utilize functional health and wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol. To discuss the subject matter above further, please contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or us at 915-50-0900.
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
