January turned into summer and now we are in September, wonder how that happened?

Summer quickly fading and now slowly autumn settles in. Nature is gradually turning orange, yellow and fiery red as the leaves on the trees shed their summer greens to take on one last burst of colour before winter finally takes over. And so in the markets we also find yellows, oranges, browns and reds…pomegranates, , figs, artichokes, eggplant, quince, and soon pumpkin, chestnuts and or course mushrooms in all sizes and varieties.

Visit the Coll de Nargó in the Pyrenees (on the way to Andorra) where they hold the

´Fira del Rovelló` where together with the popular ‘rovelló’ many other mushrooms are on display or visit Berga the official capital of the mushroom world.

  Or head up north to the coast and visit Toroella de Montgri where during the month of  October, apples are the main ingredient on many  menus. There is also a pumpkin fair with pumpkins big enough to hold Cinderella and her handsome prince and even you could squeeze in too…this takes place in Esponellà, also in the Pyrenees. Pumpkins are delicious peeled and cut into largish pieces placed in a well buttered oven dish, drizzle with good quality olive oil, 2 chopped garlics and a handful each of pine nuts and raisins. Bake in oven 180º for aprox 20 minutes until tender. Serve as a side dish with meat or rice. They are packed full of betacarotene, good for the eyesight so you can spot that sheep you´re searching for (see below) as well as bringing down your bad colesterol.

You may also like to go to Cornellà del Terri where that miraculous bulb that fights off colds and infections, garlic, is on offer at the Garlic Fair. As well as buying the different garlics you can also watch a demonstration on how garlic is deftly tied together by experts.

Ripoll is famous for its sheep. On the 15th of October there is the Fira de Santa Teresa which has taken place since the year 1853. As well as maybe picking up a sheep or two you can also visit the other stands where other local products are on offer .

And then we have the Montseny… besides going for a drive through this beautiful natural park especially during the autumn months, there are also plenty of little autumn fairs taking place, usually at the weekends, so don´t miss out on that.

So, all in all, we may still be recovering from post summer blues, but autumn holds so much in store for us and I, personally, can’t wait.