Mabon is the pagan holiday that celebrates the Fall Equinox, which occurs between September 20th and September 24th in the Northern Hemisphere. The holiday marks the beginning of Fall.
It also honors the harvest season and the time when the day and night are about equal, making it a great time to enjoy fall foods. So, here are some Mabon recipes for the first day of Fall, like pumpkin pasta with browned butter and sage.
What Is Mabon?
Mabon is the Wiccan and pagan holiday that celebrates the First Day of Fall. It is one of the Lesser Sabbats or quarter holidays. It is the second harvest holiday and represents the Fall Equinox (also known as the autumnal equinox), which is one of the two times of the year when night and day are the same length. (The other is Ostara.)
Some ways you can celebrate the holiday include eating recipes that include apples, pumpkins, and pomegranates.
You can also decorate your altar with fall foliage and images of animals connected to Mabon such as the fox, squirrel, and crow. Or, even go apple picking. Mabon is also a good time to work on balance, giving thanks, and for harvesting the fruit of intentions you set earlier in the year.
What Are the Traditional Foods of Mabon?
Humans have been celebrating the Fall Equinox for thousands of years, but Mabon itself is relatively new. Mabon is the name that was given to the holiday in the 1970s by Wiccan author and scholar Aiden Kelly when he was working on a calendar and noticed Mabon, Litha, and Ostara did not have pagan names.
So, for the purpose of this post, here are some seasonal Fall foods that you can seek to incorporate into your celebration. Any of the recipes below would also be appropriate to use for your feast.
One notable exception, however, is the pomegranate. The pomegranate not only is in season in the Fall, it is also connected to Persephone, the goddess of the flowers, death, and the Queen of the Underworld. It represents her return to the Underworld for the next six months until she emerges at the Spring Equinox.
Some Seasonal Fall Foods to Use In Your Recipes Include:
- Apples
- Pumpkins
- Pomegranates
- Cinnamon
- Grain
- Squash
- Corn
- Cinnamon
- Cider and Wine
- Root Vegetables
Fall Equinox Recipes for Mabon
1. Apples
This fruit is best during the fall, just as long as you don’t pick Red Delicious as your variety of choice.
- Apple Cider Coffee Cake
- Vegan Apple Pie Bread
- Cinnamon Apple Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
- Spiced Apple Cupcakes
- Apple Curd
- Apple Pie Bread
- Caramel Apple Galette
- Apple Crisp Bars
- Air Fryer Apple Ring Donuts
- Spiced Baked Apples with Walnuts and Cranberries
2. Pumpkins
Though I typically think more of pumpkins during Samhain, they’re great to serve during Mabon as well.
- Sourdough Pumpkin Waffles
- Pumpkin Curry Soup
- Vegan Pumpkin Risotto
- Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Spread
- Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese Dessert
- Vegan Pumpkin Mousse Pie
- Pumpkin Donut Holes
- Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread
- Pumpkin Ricotta Pasta
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Bagels
- Vegetable Stuffed Pumpkins
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Ravioli with Browned Butter Sauce
3. Pomegranates
Honor Persephone with one of these recipes.
- Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
- Pomegranate Chocolate Tart
- Pomegranate Caramels
- Chocolate Fudge with Almonds and Pomegranate
- Halloumi Saganaki
- Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini
4. Cinnamon
This warming spice is perfect for fall dishes and welcoming colder months. And, for welcoming abundance into your home every month.
- Warm Eggplant Salad with Walnuts
- Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
- Cinnamon and Sage Apple Butter
5. Grains
Grains are one of the strongest symbols of harvest season and can be enjoyed in at any meal.
- Barley Breakfast Porridge
- Barley Soup with Vegetables
- Vegan Mushroom Barley Burgers
- Scotch Broth
- Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
- Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Goat Cheese
6. Squash and Eggplant
Where the summer is for zucchini, fall is the time to enjoy delicata and butternut squashes.
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate
- Browned Butternut Squash and Sage Soup
- Butternut Squash Parmesan
- Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart
7. Cider and Wine
Toast to Fall with spirits made from fruits that ripened in late summer and early fall.
- Fall Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
- Red Wine Devil’s Food Cake
- Apple Cider Donut Cake
- Soft Apple Cider Pretzels with Cinnamon
8. Root Vegetables
Winter is the toughest season for most animals and plants. We can look to these hearty vegetables for inspiration.
- Roasted Carrots and Parsnips Salad
- Roasted Rutabaga
- Carrot Muffins
- Pumpkin, Potato, and Carrot Soup
- Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
- Parsnip and Leek Soup
9. Sweet Potatoes
These vitamin A-rich potatoes feel like Fall, thanks to their color and the fact that they pair so beautifully with warming spices like cinnamon.
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
- Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
- Sweet Potato Cake with Marshmallow Meringue
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Cake
- Sweet Potato Salad
- Sweet Potato Cobbler
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