November Seasonal Fruit and Vegetables in Spain

+ Shopping Guide & Recipes

Discover what fruit and vegetables are in season in November in Spain and across the Mediterranean.

November is when the comfort-food cravings really start to kick in. The days are getting cooler, the oven is earning its keep, and Spanish markets are filling up with the kind of seasonal veg that was practically made for soups, stews, and a good roasting tray. Think broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, and carrots… all ready to turn a simple dinner into something seriously tasty.

And it’s not just about the veg. Citrus season is getting underway, apples are still going strong, and a few short-season favorites, like persimmons and custard apples, are at their best right now. If you spot them at your local market, don’t hang about!

We’ve rounded up the best fruit and vegetables in season in Spain this November, along with a few handy tips for choosing the freshest produce, some interesting facts about Spain’s harvests, and our favorite seasonal recipes. From warming one-pan dinners to easy Spanish tapas, there’s plenty to get cooking with.

So, grab your market bag and let’s see what’s good this November. 🍊🥦

JUMP TO SECTION: 

What’s in Season in Spain in November?

Seasonal Produce Chart

How to Choose the Best November Fruit and Veg

Seasonal Spanish Recipes For November

Spain’s November Fruit and Veg Production Stats

Spanish Fruit or Veg Festivals in November

FAQs

Quick Answer ⭐ Five Things You Should Buy in November

🫑 Bell peppers: These are well and truly into the start of their long season and work amazingly in so many recipes from casseroles to sauces. 

🍎 Apples: We’re still in the middle of apple season, so there should be plenty of varieties available, and you can enjoy them as a healthy snack or baked with mains or desserts. 

🍊 Oranges: Fresh oranges are at the beginning of their peak, and offer their beautiful sweetness to desserts. 

🥕 Carrots: Sweet firm carrots will still be everywhere, and are great to use in soups and stews, or roasted. 

🥦 Broccoli: November is the first peak month of broccoli season here, and this versatile green is loaded with nutrients.

What’s in Season in Spain in November?

November welcomes classic winter veg like peas, broccoli, and cauliflower, just in time for making deliciously warming stews and soups. It also sees the end of the main pumpkin season, although pumpkins store well and you’ll typically find them in markets and supermarkets for a while longer, so no need to panic buy yet!

Other veg that are in their peak, and should be the freshest and cheapest around this time, are leeks, spinach, eggplant, carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage. 

Citrus season has well and truly started on the fruit front, and apples remain at their peak. Many tropical varieties have gone for the year, although some exotic fruits like custard apples and persimmons are at their peak (they both only have a few good months, so definitely jump on these). But kiwis are hardier and will be around until spring. 

Avocados can be a bit hit and miss this time of year as they’re at the end of their season. Pomegranates are also at the end of their short season. It’s usually best to buy both of these one at a time at this late stage, and be picky when choosing them. 

Seasonal Fruit in Spain: November

Seasonal Vegetables in Spain: November

Visiting Spanish Markets in November

Local markets fall on different days of the week, although each town or location will usually have the same day set throughout the year. Keep in mind that 1 November is a public holiday in many parts: All Saints’ Day (Todos los Santos), so markets that fall on that Sunday or Monday this year may not be open as usual. 

Another thing to note is that daylight savings ended late October, so the clocks have gone back. This makes it lighter earlier in the mornings and some outdoor markets will be operating on their winter schedule. Not all markets change official opening hours during the year, but check council websites before visiting a local market, so you’re not disappointed.

How to Choose the Best November Fruit and Veg

• Leeks: Look for leeks with firm, straight white stems and crisp, dark green leaves without yellowing or wilting. Smaller to medium-sized leeks are often more tender and delicate in flavor than very large ones.
• Bell peppers: Choose peppers with smooth, glossy, firm skin and a good weight for their size, avoiding any with wrinkles, soft spots or blemishes. Red, yellow and orange peppers are generally sweeter, while green peppers have a more vegetal, slightly bitter flavor.
• Zucchinis: Choose small to medium-sized zucchinis that feel firm and heavy, with smooth, unblemished skin and a vibrant color. Smaller fruits tend to have sweeter, more tender flesh and fewer developed seeds than oversized ones.
• Eggplants: Look for eggplants with smooth, taut skin, a firm feel and a fresh-looking green calyx (the leafy cap). Choose medium-sized fruits that feel heavy for their size, as very large or lightweight eggplants may have more seeds and a spongier texture.
• Custard apples: Choose fruits that feel slightly soft when gently pressed, with an even green colour and no large dark patches or cracks. If they’re firm, let them ripen at room temperature until they become slightly soft and smell sweet.
• Grapes: Look for grapes that are plump, firm, and brightly colored, with smooth, unbroken skin. The stems should look fresh and green rather than brown and dried out. A light, powdery coating on the skin (known as bloom) is natural and is actually a good sign of freshness.
• Pomegranates: Look for heavy fruits for their size, with firm skin and a rich red to reddish-brown colour. Slightly angular fruits are often a good choice, as the plump seeds push against the skin as they develop.
• Persimmons: Persimmons begin a yellow-ish color and become more orange to red once they’re ripe. If you notice brown speckles on the skin, this indicates extra sweetness. 
• Mangos: Look for mangoes with a fragrant aroma and skin that gives slightly when gently pressed. Depending on the variety, the skin may remain green even when the fruit is ripe, so smell and texture can be more useful than colour alone. 
• Apples: Look for apples that feel firm and heavy for their size, with smooth, unbroken skin. A few minor marks are usually nothing to worry about, but avoid apples with large bruises or shrivelled skin. 
• Spinach: Fresh spinach should have deep green, crisp-looking leaves. If you’re buying bagged spinach, check the bottom of the bag for excess moisture, and avoid these, as this makes the leaves deteriorate quickly. 
• Kiwis: Fresh kiwis should feel firm but yield slightly when gently pressed. Their bright green flesh and refreshing acidity make them an excellent contrast to sweeter autumn fruits. Slice them into breakfast bowls, fruit salads or desserts, or simply eat them with a spoon.
• Oranges: The arrival of early oranges is an exciting sign of the citrus season ahead. Look for fruit that feels heavy for its size and has a fresh, fragrant skin. Use early-season oranges for juice, salads, desserts, sauces or Spanish-inspired savoury dishes.
• Mandarins: Choose mandarins that feel heavy for their size, with bright, fragrant skin and a little give when gently squeezed. Avoid fruit with soft spots or shrivelled skin, as these can indicate that it’s past its best.

Seasonal Spanish Recipes For November

Here’s a list of our favorite Spanish recipes to cook using seasonal November produce. These are great fall/autumn recipes to warm you up and load you with nutrients and energy. 

Main Meals

Broccoli, Leek, and Blue Cheese Quesadillas

Now’s the perfect time to enjoy broccoli, leek, and blue cheese quesadillas. A 15-minute meal or warming snack, the added cumin works really well with the sweet leeks and other ingredients. 

Chicken and Leek Pie with Serrano Ham

Comfort food at its best, this chicken and leek pie with serrano ham is deliciously creamy and includes seasonal favorites like peas and leeks. 

Caramelized Leek and Goat Cheese Tart

This is a decadent and rich caramelized leek and goat cheese tart, made with store-bought puff pastry, so that it comes together in just under one hour. 

Vegetable Pisto with Eggs

This vegetable pisto with eggs recipe features the best of seasonal veg in November. Tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant are simmered until they’re juicy and sweet, enhanced by a touch of paprika, cumin, and salt. 

Chicken in Cava with Apples

Chicken in cava with apples is a special recipe that combines sweet and savory flavors to give you an almighty tasty dinner. Cava is a specific sparkling wine from Spain, so if you can’t source it, use another dry sparkling white wine in its place . 

Tapas

Garlic Zucchini

Spanish garlic zucchini is a popular tapas or side dish, and is utterly irresistible. Choose to add some grated cheese or not, the focus of this dish is the zucchini and garlic. 

Eggplant with Honey

Baked eggplant with honey is such a delicious way to welcome eggplant back onto our plates. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s a perfect fall/autumn dish for those cozy nights in.

Catalan Roasted Vegetables

Served as a tapa or side, Catalan roasted veg (Escalivada Catalana) features eggplant, bell peppers, onion, garlic, olive oil, and some vinegar for a little pop. Vegan, healthy, and delicious, it’s a success every season. 

Pan con Tomate

Spanish tomato bread is a staple as a breakfast or tapa around Spain. It’s also often served before a meal. Whenever you serve it, it’s pure deliciousness, and takes just five minutes to make, with a few simple ingredients. 

Spain’s November Fruit and Veg Production Stats

Here are some interesting facts about Spain’s contribution to production of popular November fruit and veg:

• Spain produces two-thirds of the EU’s eggplants, Almería being the largest producer in Spain.
• Spain is the leading supplier of peppers to the EU, exporting 555 million kilos in the 2025/2026 marketing year. 
• Spain is the very top exporter of persimmons globally, and produces nearly 100 million kilos every year. 

Spanish Fruit or Veg Festivals in November

Spain loves a good festival! Of course, food and drink is often the focal point. Here are some interesting fruit or veg festivals you might like to visit:

• Esperiega Apple Fair – Rincón de Ademuz region (specific town changes annually), in Valencia, celebrates this native apple variety in many forms such as cider, sweets, and jam. In 2026, it’s being held over three days, and includes tastings, markets, workshops, music, and family activities.
  ➡️ Esperiega Apple Fair

• Grape Juice Festival – Held in Atajate in Andalusia, this village holds a grape juice festival on the last Sunday of November. It’s naturally fermented grape juice, known as Mosto, and touts itself as a harvest fair with many free samples of this juice on offer.
  ➡️ Fiesta del Mosto

🎉 Check out our new food festivals guide to find out what else is happening around Spain during the year, from the famous La Tomatina party to goose barnacle festivals. 

Enjoy the Best of November Produce

Depending where you are in the world, your seasonal produce list might look different. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat seasonally easily. Just look for seasonal produce lists online to suit your area. And wherever you are, choosing local produce will typically give you the freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious fruit and veg. 

You can check out all of our main meals, tapas recipes, and desserts, to find recipes that match whatever’s in season in your area.

If you’re planning meals throughout the year, you can also browse our other monthly seasonal fruit and veg in Spain guides to discover what’s fresh each month:

January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October

FAQs

What fruit is in season in Spain during November?

November sees some of the most fleeting fruit in season (persimmons and custard apples). Others are hardier and will be around longer, such as apples, oranges, kiwis, and grapes. 

What vegetables are in season in Spain in November?

Many winter veg are starting to peak, such as broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, and peas. Others that were already in their peak will continue there, such as leeks, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, and eggplants. 

What produce starts in November?

Broccoli, oranges, mandarines, peas, cauliflower, and bell peppers have just leapt into their peak season.