October’s Color of the Month is a jewel of fall, signaling changing leaves and cozy family dinners. HGTV’s color team picked teal as the stunning winner, which designers and readers alike consider “intense,” “rich,” “elegant” and “transfixing.” On FN Dish, we are sharing a darker green hue of teal in a feast for your eyes and appetite.

The deep, dramatic green shade of teal makes me think of fall produce like the strong sleek rind of acorn squash. When you cut into it and cook up the vegetable’s hearty meat, you get another rich autumn color: burnt orange. Both fall colors pop in this recipe for Balsamic Glazed Acorn Squash featured in Food Network Magazine.

While I wasn’t crazy about this robust squash growing up, I’ve grown to appreciate its naturally sweet flesh and range of possibilities. Its taste and soft texture pairs well with savory flavors and crunchy tidbits in a soup or topped on a pizza.

Additional jewel-toned vegetable favorites of fall include leafy greens like collards. When cooked, these greens produce a lovely dark teal. Foods with this hue tend to be as rich in nutrients as they are in color, meaning they're fall foods we can overindulge in.

Check out HGTV’s entertaining ideas to complete your dinner with color with delightful tablescapes and teal cupcakes.