8 - 14 April update Sydney Market that includes availability and price of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Also includes recipe suggestions.
FRUITS:
Sink your teeth into the freshness of a healthy apple! Take your pick from Fuji, Pink Lady, Royal Gala, Granny Smith and Red Delicious. Or, try something different like a Jazz and Kazz apple, a tasty fusion of Gala and Braeburn varieties. These apples boast a firm, dense flesh and a sweet, tangy flavour. Prices vary between $4 and $8 per kilo, so there's something for everyone's taste buds and budget!
Cook apples with blackberries, which cost $5-$7 a punnet. This blackberry, apple, and almond crumble is delicious!
Fresh pears are packed with fibre, vitamins and antioxidants and offer numerous health benefits, including improved digestion and immune support. To enjoy them, rinse and bite into their juicy goodness, or slice them to add a sweet crunch to salads and cheese platters. For a warm treat, bake or poach pears with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, serving them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether fresh or cooked, pears offer a delicious taste and nutritional benefits.
Pomegranates are not only visually stunning but also bursting with antioxidants and vitamins. These ruby-red jewels add a delightful crunch to salads, flavour to desserts, and make stunning cocktail garnishes. Incorporating pomegranates into your dishes promises both taste and nutrition. Pomegranates are $3-$12 a kilo ($1-$7 each)
Custard apple's knobby green skin hides a creamy, sweet flesh dotted with dark seeds that offer a unique and indulgent treat. Rich in vitamins and fibre, these tropical fruits boast a flavour reminiscent of a banana, pineapple, and vanilla blend. To enjoy them, slice the fruit in half and scoop out the luscious flesh with a spoon, discarding the seeds. Alternatively, blend the flesh into smoothies or make creamy desserts like custard apple ice cream or pudding. Custard apples are available for $8-$12 a kilo at your local greengrocer.
This week, treat yourself to a fantastic selection of juicy and naturally sweet Aussie table grapes! Choose from green, pink, and black-skinned varieties. Prices range from $5 to $23 per kilo, depending on your preferred grape variety.
Avocados contain 'good' unsaturated fat and are the richest source of vitamin E of all fruits and vegetables. The main variety is Shepard avocados. Avocados are $1-$4 each, depending on variety and size.
Take advantage of the fabulous range of premium quality melons. Rockmelons and super sweet eating Piel de Sapo are $3-$6 each. Whole seedless watermelon is $1.50-$3 a kilo depending on whether the melon is whole or cut. Discover our rockmelon 'carpaccio' & haloumi salad.
Having juicy lemons and limes in the fruit bowl during autumn is a smart move. They're packed with vitamin C to boost your immune system during the cold season, and their tangy flavour adds brightness to hearty autumn dishes. Plus, they're versatile ingredients for both sweet and savoury recipes, balancing rich flavours and enhancing meals. This week, lemons and limes are $4-$7 a kilo. It is time to enjoy Imperial mandarins, now in season and $4-$8 a kilo.
VEGETABLES
Australian-grown chestnuts are delicious treats well worth the patience and time needed for their preparation. Once cooked, their creamy white flesh is similar in texture to roast potatoes and has a tantalising sweet, nutty flavour. Chestnuts sell for $5-$12 a kilo.
Fennel's crisp texture and mild licorice-like flavour make it great for braising in stews, slicing into salads, or pureeing as a soup. The fine fronds can be snipped over chicken or fish, and the stalks are good in soups and braised dishes. Fennel bulbs cost $2.50-$3 a bulb. This braised fennel, lemon, and thyme chicken is a thrifty and tasty one-pot meal.
A delightful array of Asian leafy vegetables is available at your local greengrocer. Add a bunch of choy sum or pak choy to your stir-fries for a delicious crunch and goodness. Asian greens are $1.50-$3 a bunch.
Pick up the last of the Queensland new season ginger; it has a soft, pale skin and delicate flavour. For extended storage, peel the ginger and cut it into chunks. Place in a clean jar and fill with Chinese Shaoxing rice wine, sherry, or gin. Keep the jar in the refrigerator and use it as required. New-season ginger is more perishable than more mature ginger. New season ginger is $5-$10 a kilo and is the cheapest option, as mature ginger is less abundant.
Autumn is the peak time for quality eggplants. Choose an eggplant that is firm, heavy fruit that has a taut, glossy, deeply coloured skin and a fresh green stem. Eggplants can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 1 week, but handle them with care as they bruise easily. Eggplants are selling for $4-$8 a kilo. This easy and fast eggplant, lime & tofu laksa only needs 15 minutes of cooking time.
Premium-quality parsnips are in season, and this week, they can be picked up for $6-$10 a kilo. Parsnips are delicious roasted and add a unique sweetness to soups and casseroles. Try cooking them in milk and pureeing them with a dollop of cream, seasoning them, and serving them with steak, chicken, or fish. This roasted parsnips, pears and leek is a delicious side dish.
Pumpkins are not just for decoration—they're a powerhouse of nutrition and flavour. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they offer versatility in the kitchen. With endless possibilities, pumpkins are a delicious and nutritious choice for autumn meals. This week, explore a Pumpkin Salad: Toss roasted pumpkin cubes with mixed greens, crumbled feta cheese, toasted nuts (such as walnuts or pecans), and a simple vinaigrette dressing. This refreshing salad combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the savoury flavours of cheese and nuts for a delightful meal. Pumpkins are $1.50-$3 a kilo, depending on variety and if it's whole or precut.
Firm, papery-skinned brown onions are full of flavour. They're perfect for a bowl of warming French onion soup or added to a roast or casserole. Brown onions, depending on size, cost $2- $3 a kilo.
Broccolini is a top buy at $3-$4 a bunch. Chargrill to add a delicate smoky flavour and serve topped with hummus and pomegranate arils. Broccoli prices are $6-$7 a kilo.
In season: Horseradish, guava, tamarillo, persimmon, olives, Jerusalem and globe artichokes. Season finishing: Mangoes, peaches, nectarines and plums.
FLOWERS
For a unique twist this week, explore the captivating sea holy flowers, known for their distinct colour and shape. Singapore orchids abound, showcasing their abundance. Revel in the breathtaking variety of chrysanthemums, local roses, lisianthus, protea, asters, and dahlias. Sunflowers remain in season, while bouvardia emits a delightful fragrance. Meanwhile, tulips offer a kaleidoscope of colours to delight the senses.
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 2024-04-08 15:48:00
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