6 - 12 March 2023 update Sydney Market that includes availability and price of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Also includes recipe suggestions.
FRUIT
The quality and range of tables of grapes in season in March are fabulous. With the expectation of Muscats and Red Globe varieties, most grapes are seedless. While most popular varieties like Crimson seedless and Thompson Seedless will retail for $4-$12, newer larger and super sweet varieties like Cotton Candy, Sapphire, Sable seedless and several other delicious grapes could be $24-$30 a kilo.
Make the most of flavoursome late-season plums. Select from Angelino, Teagan Blue, Black Amber, Black Majestic, Queen Garnet, and October Sun are all in season. Depending on the variety, plums sell for $3-$14 a kilo.
New-season apples are crunchy and sweet. It's time to enjoy Royal Gala, Mi, Delicious and Fuji apples, but remember to store them in the refrigerator at this time of year to maintain their maximum crunch. New season apples range from $3-$8 a kilo.
Pamper yourself this week and pick up a sweet persimmon; you'll be pleasantly surprised. The unripe fruit is very astringent, so wait until the fruit is soft and ripe, and you will be rewarded with a robust, sweet flavour and extra juicy texture. Persimmons are $10-$15 a kilo or $3-$4 each.
Enjoy the last of the season's juicy Valencia oranges. The sweet and zesty Navel variety is available from late autumn. Combine tangy orange segments in a salad with baby rocket leaves, pitted black olives, toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of balsamic dressing. Valencia oranges are a thrifty buy at $2-$4 a kilo, cheaper when you buy in bulk.
Shepard avocados are pear-shaped with smooth green skin and a buttery golden flesh that does not turn brown when cut. With an average size of 200g-320g, they are in season from February to May and are good value at $1-$3 each.
Flavoursome new season Williams', Beurre Bosc, and Corella pears are fresh off the trees. Enjoy them eaten firm or soft. Pears are delicious and served with cheese, tossed through a salad, roasted or poached. Williams' pears are $3-$4 a kilo. Beurre Bosc $3-$5 a kilo and Corella $5-$7 a kilo.
Fresh pistachio nuts are available for only 4-5 weeks; their attractive soft, pink and yellow mottled skin covers the hard, semi-spit shell. The nut is mild tasting with a creamy texture and is delicious as a healthy snack and a tasty addition to baked goods.
Sweet figs are sublime. Figs team equally with savoury foods such as nuts, meats and cheese. Try adding figs to a homemade pizza, teamed with prosciutto and feta. Enjoy quality figs for $1-$3 each.
Tangy limes are plentiful and top value at 50¢-$1 each; look for bulk buy specials. Roll limes between your palm and the benchtop to loosen fibres before cutting and juicing to maximise the volume of juice you get from a lime. This lime cheesecake with summer fruits is a crowd-pleaser, but make it before lychees and mango season finish soon.
VEGETABLES
Tasmanian carrots are extra sweet and good value at $1.50-$2 for a kilo bag and up to $3 for larger carrots, sold loose. Super versatile and ultra-healthy carrots are the perfect ingredient to build a meal around.
Depending on size, Zucchinis are available for $3-$5 a kilo. Grated zucchini makes a thrifty base for tomato pasta sauces and is excellent in egg-based dishes such as quiche, omelette and frittata.
Celery is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that is terrific utilised in numerous ways. Enjoy raw celery sticks with dip: Cut celery sticks and serve with a dip of your choice, such as hummus, ranch dressing, or peanut butter. Add celery salad: Finely chop celery and mix with diced apples, walnuts, and a light dressing of lemon juice and olive oil. Celery is a thrifty buy at $2-$4 a bunch.
Machine-harvested green beans are thrifty at $3-$5 a kilo. Steam, stir-fry or microwave beans until just tender. Premium quality handpicked beans from Gympie are $7-$10 a kilo.
Eggplants stand out for value and quality this week at $4-$7 a kilo. Serve up a platter of barbecued eggplant with minted yoghurt and pomegranate. Try crumbed eggplant with minted tzatziki or bake layered with tomato sauce and three cheeses.
With its attractive orange flesh and rich, creamy texture, kumara is delicious roasted and enjoyed hot or cold in a salad or couscous dish. You can spice it up with some grated ginger, chopped coriander or cumin to make it extra memorable. Medium to large-sized kumara is $3-$5 a kilo.
Used raw or cooked, fennels' mild aniseed flavour teams superbly with pears, plums, oranges, potatoes, seafood, pork or chicken. New-season fennel bulbs are $1.50-$2.50 a bulb.
Lettuce is a refreshing and satisfying option during hot weather or when craving a crisp texture. This week Iceberg and Cos lettuce are good quality and value at $3.50-$4 ahead.
Pick up a few cobs of sweetcorn this week; it is sweet eating and only 50¢-$1 per cob. These 7 ingredient sweetcorn fritters are delicious and ideal for serving for breakfast or brunch or pop them in a school lunch box.
FLOWERS
Late summer – early autumn is a delightful time for quality flowers. We highly recommend local roses, lisianthus, dahlia, snowberries, asters, flowering ginger, gum nuts, celosia, pineapple lily, snapdragon, Siam tulips, sedum, beehive ginger, sunflowers, kale, roses, chrysanthemums, hanging amaranth, dancing lady, tulips, pepper bush, and tiger lily. TIP: Change the water regularly to maximise vase life.
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 2023-03-06 15:41:00
Print Page