11 - 16 APRIL 2023

FRUIT

Fruit Kanzi apples are the perfect school holiday snack. This medium to large-sized apple has a bright red or orange-red colour and often has a distinctive patchy or striped appearance known for its sweet and tangy flavour and firm and crisp texture. Kanzi apples do not brown on cutting. In season from April to September and available this week at your local greengrocer for $5-$7 a kilo.

Make the most of late-season plums before the season finishes. Flavour Fall, September Candy, Angelino and Fall Fiesta are a few of the varieties you will still find at your local greengrocer. Depending on the variety, plums are $3-$12 a kilo.

Everyone loves bananas; they are smooth, creamy and an excellent source of vitamins B6 and C. Did you know that one banana provides almost 30% of your daily vitamin C requirements? Bananas are a popular choice at $2-$4 a kilo.

Enjoy non-astringent sweet persimmons, either firm or crunchy. Sweet persimmons are a tasty addition to a colourful autumn salad, or add slices to a cheese board. Enjoy them now for $2-$5 each, depending on size and quality, or $7-$16 per kilo.

Despite its tough and fuzzy exterior and tart flavour, quince becomes a rich and velvety fruit that is fabulous in sweet or savoury dishes once cooked. Roasting quince with honey, maple syrup, olive oil, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom brings out its natural sweetness and makes a tasty side dish for roasted meats. Poaching fruit or roasting in a slow cooker is a great way to prepare quince for desserts, like tarts and pies. Quinces are $4-$6 a kilo.

In season from April to July, Imperial mandarins are easy to peel and virtually seedless. Select glossy fruit that feels heavy for its size, indicating good juice content. Mandarins are $6-$10 a kilo.

New-season ruby grapefruit has started. Add grapefruit segments to a salad like this tasty pink grapefruit, rocket and pinenut salad to serve with chicken.

Fresh pistachio nuts are a seasonal treat; bag a handful or a kilo while in season.

A fabulous assortment of juicy and naturally sweet Aussie table grapes is still available at your local greengrocer. Select from green, pink and black-skinned varieties, with prices ranging from $3-$20 a kilo, depending on the variety.

VEGETABLES

Asian leafy green vegetables are delicious, packed with nutrients, and offer various health benefits. They can be prepared in multiple ways, including stir-frying, steaming, and roasting, and are sure to add flavour and nutrition to any meal. Add a bunch or two of pak choy, bok choy, choy sum or on choy to your shopping list this week as they are great value at $2-$2.50 a bunch.

Kale is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable that is delicious and easy to prepare. At $2-$3 a bunch, it's also a thrifty buy. Here are a few tasty ways to use kale

Toss kale leaves with olive oil and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt, then bake in the oven until crispy to make kale chips.

Stir-fry kale with other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, then add a protein like tofu or chicken for a satisfying meal.

Make a hearty soup by sautéing kale with onions, garlic, and your choice of stock, then adding in other vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes.

Australian-grown chestnuts are a delicious and nutritious treat that is delicious roasted, boiled, and pureed; their sweet, nutty flavour is a tasty addition to meat-stuffing, soups, desserts and sauces. Chestnuts are $5-$15 a kilo, depending on size and variety. Try this healthy chilli chestnut, Asian greens & tofu stir-fry.

Button mushrooms are a powerhouse of natural flavour and goodness. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin D, and B vitamins, they are a nutritious addition to any meal. You can easily enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Fill up a paper bag for $7-$12 per kilo.

There is an abundant supply of eggplant available in early autumn. They vary in size and skin colour, from mauve to purple and variegated stripy varieties. Eggplants should feel heavy for their size. Prices range from $4-$8 a kilo, depending on the variety.

Pop broccolini in the trolley this week for $2.50-$4 a bunch. Steamed, sautéed, roasted, or grilled, it's a healthy choice. Grilled Broccolini: Brush broccolini with olive oil and grill until tender and slightly charred. Serve as a side dish or chop and add to salads.

Whether making a hearty soup, stir-frying or a light salad, carrots are a cook's best friend! Carrots are one of the kitchen's most versatile and useful veggies, adding flavour, colour, texture, and nutritional value to your autumn meals. Carrots are a bargain at $1.50-$3 a kilo.

Leeks are an incredibly versatile and flavourful veggie that can add depth and complexity to various dishes. Leeks are popular in soups, stews, salads, quiches, and more. Victorian-grown Leeks are $2-$3 a stem.

Celery is a highly versatile vegetable that adds a unique flavour and texture to soups, sauces, stir-fries, and risotto. Celery is a budget-friendly purchase at $2-$4 per bunch (depending on size).

FLOWERS

Flowers What's in season at your local florist in April; dahlias, leucadendrons, roses, gloriosa, protea, stock, cotton, lisianthus, amaranthus, banksia, celosia, sunflowers, tulips, fragrant David Austin roses, gloriosa, gladioli, bird of paradise, heliconia, snapdragons, oriental lilies, daisy chrysanthemum, asters, and Easter daisies.

Prices quoted in this report are only relevant for the week of the report. All prices are estimates only as prices vary depending on variety, size and quality of produce and the trading area. For further information, please contact Sue Dodd, Marketing Consultant on 0438725453.

Published On 2023-04-11 14:37:17