The Indian summer has given us an extended warm spell. A bit of time to get out and about and appreciate the colours of early autumn. Trees are bathed in golden and burnished brown hues. Bog and field grasses glow with an orange flame. Acres of pale gold glimmer in mown pastures of wheat and corn. This is the time when Ireland’s forty shades of green are replaced briefly by rich earthy tones. Seasonal vegetables echo these colours. Bright orange new carrots, amber fleshed swedes, bunches of parsnips with their wheaten shades, all make fine eating in stews, soups and casseroles. Later on we’ll see vibrant orange pumpkins and the rich butter yellow skins of butternut squash. Enjoy the colour display nature offers us this beautiful time of year. Bring it home to the kitchen with the rustic flavours of seasonal vegetables.