Nutmeg is the seed of a tropical fruit and has been used for thousands of years to flavor drinks, cakes, soups, and cream sauces. It's intensely fragrant and nutty. This essential autumn spice is best grated fresh to release those pungent aromas, so you don't need to use quite as much as recipes call for. Aside from apple and pumpkin pies, use nutmeg in chowders and potato soup or creamy sauces like béchamel and country gravy.