14 - 20 AUGUST 2023

FRUITS:

Fruit

There are good supplies of strawberries from Queensland in the Market, so now is the time to make the most of aromatic and sweet-eating strawberries for only $2-$6 a punnet, depending on quality and size. Perfect for making Quick Strawberry Tarts.

Have you crunched into a Bravo apple? This apple is a stand-out variety, containing 25% more flavonoids than other Australian apples. Flavonoids are an antioxidant. Breed in Australia, this variety has the most distinct dark burgundy coloured skin colour, and its crunch white flesh is slow to go brown once cut, making it perfect for kids’ lunch boxes. Bravo apples are $7-$8 a kilo or around $2.30 each.

Tangy citrus is in abundance. Lemons are a top buy at $2-$4 a kilo. Now is the ideal time to make a delicious tangy lemon curd – try our easy microwave recipe.

Ultra juicy tangelos, $4-$6, are a kilo. There are lots of small-sized mandarins available this season, and fruit is available for $2-$3 a kilo, while larger sizes are $4-$5 a kilo.

There are four varieties in season, each with distinct flavours and characteristics. The classic – Navel oranges ($2-$5), Blood oranges ($4-$7 a kilo), Cara Cara navels ($2-$5 a kilo) and the newest Navel orange to arrive at your local greengrocers, is Dolci at around $6 a kilo. Discovered in Leeton NSW in 2009, the Dolci Navel variety is a hybrid cross of the Washington Navel. This citrus is packed with juicy sweetness and is distinguishable by its unusual bronzy brown-green skin colour. Use any variety of oranges to create a tasty orange & passionfruit self-saucing pudding.

Rhubarb is available all year round in Australia; however, the demand tends to be during the cooler months, then hot fruit desserts that make use of rhubarb are most popular. Rhubarb teams deliciously with strawberries, pears and apples to make a tasty compote or fruity crumble base. Rhubarb is $4-$5 a bunch.

Tomato prices are easing, and this week you should be able to pick up Salad or Truss tomatoes for $3-$6 a kilo.

VEGETABLES

Vegetables

Elongated, crisp Chinese cabbage is mild tasting with white to pale green leaves. This Asian green, known as ‘Wombok’, is a bargain at $2-$3 ahead. Shred and toss with noodles. Add to stir-fries or chunky vegetable soup.

The delicate aniseed flavour and crunchy texture of fennel complements fish, chicken, lamb, pears and citrus. For a quick entrée or salad, combine shredded fennel with shaved parmesan, crisp slices of pear and watercress. At $1.50-$2.50, a bulb fennel is a great buy.

Celery adds crunch, vibrant colour, and a burst of flavour to salads and stir-fries. Use celery as a side dish; chop celery and stir-fried with chilli, garlic, ginger, or garlic and oyster sauce. Based on size, celery is $2-$3 per bunch.

Mild and versatile wombok, also known as Chinese cabbage, adapts beautifully to being finely shredded for salads or tossed into a stir-fry just before serving to achieve a gentle wilt. Wombok is available at $3-$4 per bunch.

Tender English spinach leaves offer a delicate flavour. Whether used in salads, added to pasta dishes, or paired with Hokkien noodles, spinach is a savvy buy at $1-$2 per bunch. Spinach is a good source of lutein and an essential antioxidant for looking after your eye health.

Broccoli is well-supplied, and the quality is excellent. Look for compact and firm heads. Expect to pay $3-$5 a kilo. Serve broccoli in stir-fries or blanch and add cold to a salad. Cooking rapidly and tossed with pasta, chilli and garlic is nutritious, tasty and easy to prepare.

Eggplant is a delightful Mediterranean vegetable that is versatile and easy to prepare. No need to salt; slice, brush with olive oil and grill until tender. Add eggplant slices to pizza topping, sandwiches and antipasto or try eggplant in this tomato, fennel & chicken one-pan dinner. Field-grown eggplants are thrifty at $3-$4 a kilo, and glasshouses are $5-$8 a kilo.

Crisp snow peas offer a satisfying crunch with minimal cooking required. Whether steamed, microwaved, or stir-fried, they retain their texture. Use finely shredded snow peas in salads or briefly cook them to maintain a slight crunch. Handpicked snowpeas are $7-$10 per kilo.

Plump, flavoursome leeks are a top buy at $1.80-$2.50 each. Add leeks to a nutritious vegetable pack soup like this leek, fennel & zucchini soup with pistou or braise with bacon and cabbage for a healthy side dish.

FLOWERS

Flowers Currently in season are Ranunculus, Freesia, Firm Sweet peas, Pink Kings, Snapdragons, Sea Holly Kale, Buddleia, Wattle, Queen Anne lace, Daphne, Hypericum, Bud magnolia, Panda Anemone, Poppies, Stock, Lavender, Alstroemeria, Poppies, Rose Lily, and Gum nuts.

To create an eye-catching display, pair these flowers with foliage boasting intriguing shapes or colours. Popular foliage and fillers available this season include Viburnum, Magnolia, Gum, Peppercorn, Berry, Camelia, Pine, Ruscus, Emu Grass, Olive branches, Ivy berry, Nandina, and Pierus bud foliage.

Please note that the prices quoted in this report only apply for the current week and are subject to variation based on product variety, size, quality, and the trading area. For more information, please feel free to contact Sue Dodd, Marketing Consultant, at 0438725453

Published On 2023-08-15 15:55:59