17 - 23 APRIL 2023
FRUIT
New-season Imperial mandarins are a delicious citrus fruit known for their juicy and fragrant flesh. They are easy to peel, making them a convenient and popular snack option. Not only are they tasty, but they are also a healthy natural source of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system. Pick up a kilo this week for $5-$7; the peak supply occurs from May to September.
Just one medium-sized kiwifruit contains more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Combine sliced kiwifruit with diced avocado, rocket and a simple lemon vinaigrette for a fresh and flavourful salad. Add a few green kiwis to your shopping list, they are $7.50-$9 a kilo.
Fuyu fruit, also known as sweet persimmon, is a type of persimmon that is known for its sweet and mild flavour. Unlike other varieties of sweet persimmons can be enjoyed when they are still firm and crisp without becoming mushy or astringent. Depending on size and quality, prices range from $2-$5 each. Try this sweet persimmon, serrano ham & rocket salad
Sweet, succulent figs are still available at your local greengrocer. Roasting figs brings out their natural sweetness and creates a delicious caramelised flavour. Cut the figs in half and roast them in the oven with a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of cinnamon or rosemary. Figs are $1-$3 each, depending on the size.
New season Envy apples are a cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala apples, medium to large-sized with bright red skin, typically covered in yellow or green patches with a crisp and juicy texture with a sweet and slightly tart flavour that is reminiscent of honey. Envy apples remain white, even after cutting, making them an excellent choice for salads or charcuterie boards. Just-picked Envy apples are $6-$8 a kilo and should be available until September.
Depending on size, Beurre Bosc pears range from $2-$4 per kilo. Preparing poached pears is an effortless task. When immersed in their poaching syrup, pears absorb the flavours and transform into a delectable dessert. For a delightful treat, experiment with poaching firm, peeled Beurre Bosc pears in a mixture of sugar syrup infused with red wine, lemon and orange rind, cinnamon stick, star anise, and a split vanilla pod until they become tender. Afterwards, chill the pears in the syrup and serve them with ice cream.
Myer lemons have smooth skin and a sweet, juicy flavour. However, their season is brief. Whip up a zesty lemon vinaigrette by mixing lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. This dressing pairs well with salads, grilled chicken, fish, and roasted vegetables. Myer lemons are $4-$6 a kilo.
Shepard avocados are a delicious and nutritious addition to autumn dishes. You can dice them up and add them to salads and pasta dishes, or try mashing them with sweet chilli sauce to serve in a burrito with barbecued chicken. Shepard avocados cost between $2-$4 each.
VEGETABLES
Carrots are stars in the kitchen in the cooler months. Use vivid carrots for soups, roasting, mashing, casseroles and stir-fries. A one-kilo bag is a thrifty purchase at $1.50-$3; alternatively, larger-sized premium carrots are $2-$2.50 a kilo.
Victorian celery is an excellent buy at around $2 to $3 per bunch (bunch sizes may vary). You can enjoy its crunchy texture in hearty soups or add it to stir-fries and risottos for an extra flavour. With its high water content and low kilojoule count, celery is a healthy addition to your diet.
It's chestnut season! Chestnuts have a unique sweet and nutty flavour. To enjoy chestnuts, start by splitting and roasting them, then peeling them while they're still hot. The roasted, peeled, and chopped chestnuts can be a delightful addition to various dishes such as rice and lentil dishes, San Choy Bau, or autumn salads. Depending on size, chestnuts can range from $6 to $15 per kilo.
New season Brussels Sprouts are $7- $13 a kilo, depending on size. Roasting Brussels sprouts is a game changer; it changes their flavour and develops a sweet and nutty taste. The high heat of roasting caramelises the natural sugars in the Brussels sprouts, creating a delicious sweetness. The outer leaves also become crispy and slightly charred, adding a nutty and smoky flavour.
Bok choy, choy sum, and gai lum are Asian leafy greens that are not only fast to cook but also packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and antioxidants while being low in kilojoules. This week, you can steam or stir-fry them for a quick and healthy meal for around $1.50 to $3 per bunch.
Consider incorporating vibrant pink radicchio if you want to add colour to your meals. You can typically find this leafy salad vegetable for around $4 to $5 per head. With its reddish maroon-coloured leaves, radicchio resembles lettuce, but as a chicory family member, it adds a mild bitterness that can enhance the flavour of any salad.
As the herb of remembrance, rosemary is a perfect addition to your ANZAC Day recipes. This fragrant herb pairs well with a range of dishes, including lamb, garlic, parmesan cheese, potatoes, yogurt, chicken, pork, and pumpkin. You can typically find bunches of rosemary for around $2.50 to $3, making it an affordable and flavourful ingredient to add to your cooking. These crisp golden potato wedges team well with rosemary.
Fennel is versatile and a thrifty buy from your local greengrocer. Its delicate aniseed flavour pairs perfectly with seafood, pork, chicken, lamb, tomato, and citrus. At around $2-$2.50 per bulb, it's worth adding a few to your shopping basket.
Leeks are a milder-tasting substitute for onions in dishes like risottos, frittatas, soups, braises, or casseroles. Choose small to medium-sized leeks with firm white stems and bright green tops, which cost around $2 -$2.50 each. Make leeks the hero on your plate with these braised leeks with thyme.
The new season of Victorian artichokes has started. These delicious and nutritious vegetables are rich in antioxidants, fibre, and minerals. Head to your local grocer and pick up some fresh Victorian artichokes for $2.50-$3 each.
Machine-harvested green beans are thrifty at $4-$5 a kilo. Blanched beans are a tasty addition to an autumn salad like this bean, asparagus, fennel & smoked chicken salad.
FLOWERS
What's in season at your local florist in April; dahlias, gerberas, carnations, chrysanthemum, leucadendrons, roses, gloriosa, protea, stock, cotton, lisianthus, amaranthus, banksia, celosia, sunflowers, tulips, fragrant David Austin roses, gladioli, bird of paradise, heliconia, snapdragons, oriental lilies, daisy 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 2023-04-18 10:59:00
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