13 - 19 FEBRUARY 2023
FRUIT
Luscious, sweet figs are sublime. Figs team deliciously with both sweet and savoury flavours; try them with nuts, meats and cheese as they do with sweet ingredients such as citrus and chocolate. Enjoy quality figs for 50¢-$3 each.
Super juicy and tangy, plums offer a myriad of possibilities. Apart from being a healthy snack choice, plums are delicious poached, roasted, simmered in savoury sauces or used in baking. This poached plum with coconut chia is a healthy and easy dessert or breakfast. Plums range in price from $3-$15, depending on variety and quality.
Freshly picked grapes from Mildura and Sunraysia are sweet and crunchy. Depending on the variety, your local greengrocer will have grapes for $4-$20 a kilo.
There is nothing quite like a new season apple. Bilpin and Stanhope apple harvests are underway, and Royal Gala apples are sweet, juicy and crisp. Available from February to August, Royal Gala apples are medium-sized, and the skin has a yellow base with red flushes. Greengrocers are selling Royal Galas apples for $6-$8 a kilo.
Sun-ripened golden and white-fleshed peaches and nectarines are still brimming with flavour. Peaches and nectarines are $3-$8 a kilo, depending on flesh colour and size. The large golden-skinned and fleshed Golden Queen variety has started; these are gorgeous peaches to preserve or poach.
Citrus caviar is the affectionate name given to finger limes. Originally from the Queensland rain forests, these small elongated citrus fruits are about the size and shape of a thumb. Inside the finger lime, you’ll discover juice-filled pulp that resembles tiny ‘pearls’ that pop with a vibrant citrus tang. This finger lime & ginger dressing is superb served with oysters or prawns. Finger limes retail at $1-$2 each.
New season William’s pears from Shepparton in Victoria are sweet, juicy and flavoursome. William’s pears are $3-$4 a kilo, depending on the size. Add flavoursome pear slices to salads; rocket, parmesan and toasted walnuts are a tasty combination.
Late summer yields a plentiful supply of tangy–sweet passionfruit. Choose fruit that feels heavy for its size, a slightly wrinkled appearance is quite acceptable. Whip up a batch of homemade passionfruit cupcakes. Passionfruit are 50¢-$1 each depending on the variety.
This fleshy and juicy dragonfruit is a member of the cactus family. There are two varieties to choose from; one variety has pink skin and vibrant crimson flesh dotted with edible black seeds. The other variety has a yellowish skin colour with clear to white flesh containing edible black seeds. Queensland-grown dragon fruit is $8-$12 each.
Juicy chilled melon is thirst-quenching on a hot summery day. This week look out for yellow-fleshed champagne melon. Despite their sweet taste, melons are very low in kilojoules. Expect to pay $2.50-$4 a kilo, depending if the melon is whole or cut.
New-season Queensland-grown Shepard avocados are now available. This variety does not oxidise (go brown) when cut. Shepard avocados, the rounded fleshy Reed avocados and popular Hass avocados are $1.50-$4 each.
VEGETABLES
Golden cobs of sweetcorn are a popular buy and a family favourite. Boil whole cobs or remove kernels for fritters, muffins and salads. Buy sweetcorn for 50¢-$1 per cob and chargrill, boil, microwave or try these delicious potato & sweetcorn croquettes; they are delicious hot or cold.
Versatile snake beans are in season, also known as yard beans or long beans. 40 cm long, these beans are tender and ultra-versatile. Steam or stir-fry to serve as a side dish or add to a stir-fry. Snake beans are $2.50-$3 a bunch.
Eggplants are at their best value from late summer to early autumn as Sydney growers harvest quality crops. Select smooth eggplant with a firm, satin-like, glossy skin, which feels heavy for its size. Eggplants are good value at $4-$7 a kilo. There are numerous ways to enjoy eggplant, roasted, grilled, barbecued or baked.
Aromatic basil is at its tastiest in summer. Take advantage of the excellent value and quality, and team basil with tomato-based dishes, blend a batch of homemade pesto to enjoy with fresh pasta or tear leaves and add to salads and dressings. Basil is $3-$4 a bunch.
Summer radishes add a pleasant peppery flavour to salads and crudités. Newer radish varieties include the watermelon radish, French radish and multi-coloured mixed bunches. Fabulous for making salads colourful and exciting. Radishes are available for $2.50-$3.
The best buy in Asian leafy greens this week is on choy (also known as water spinach) at $2.50-$3 a bunch. This delicate flavoured green leafy vegetable is a tasty and colourful addition to a stir-fry.
Vibrant red cabbage is delicious, pan-fried with slices of apple and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Try this tasty fig, red cabbage & pomegranate salad. Red cabbage is $3-$5 a head, depending on size.
FLOWERS
Favourable growing conditions and seasonal availability means a fantastic selection of quality flowers this week. Select from lotus pods, hydrangeas (season finishing) foliage tea tree, flowering gum, sunflowers, roses, bottle brush, banksia, dahlia, snapdragons, pink oriental lilies, zinnia, tuberoses, sunflowers, celosia, calla lilies, Singapore orchids, pineapple lilies. Exotic flowers like water lilies, heliconia, ginger beehive flowers, crab claw or glowers and strelitzia.
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 2023-02-13 15:53:40
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