19 - 25 February update Sydney Market that includes availability and price of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Also includes recipe suggestions.
FRUITS:
Available until late autumn, Williams is a fast-ripening pear, perfect for poaching or adding slices for firm pear to a salad or wash and enjoy as a healthy snack. Williams’ pears are $2-$4 a kilo, depending on size.
Savvy shoppers are enjoying the flavour and affordability of late-season peaches and nectarines. Sizable peaches are tempting at $4-$10 a kilo.
Discover kiwiberries – these petite fruits are similar in size to large grapes, boasting a vibrant green hue and a smooth, fuzz-free exterior. Once sliced open, you'll find a resemblance to kiwifruit, with its striking emerald green flesh and tiny black seeds neatly arranged. Their taste is similar to kiwifruit, with a hint of extra sweetness, though sweetness levels may differ. Try them this week for $5-$6 for a 125g punnet.
Grapes are abundant and provide excellent value; a variety of green, pink, and black-skinned options are currently in season, with prices ranging from $4 to $18 per kilo, depending on the variety.
New-season Royal Gala, Fuji and Mi apples are sweet and crunchy. Depending on the variety, quality and size, expect to pay $3-$8 a kilo.
Grab a large Reed avocado; this round, smooth, green-skinned variety is flavoursome and very fleshy and only $2-$3 each; alternatively, new-season Shepard avocados are great eating at this time of year and a bargain at $1-$3 each. This pear-shaped avocado has a buttery flavour and smooth green skin; its flesh does not brown (oxidise) once cut. Western Australian Hass avocados are also eating nicely for $1-$3 each. It’s a good week to smash great value avocados on toast.
Juicy limes add a citrusy zing to drinks, marinades, sauces and salad dressings. A key ingredient in Asian and Mexican dishes, limes pair perfectly with avocado, coriander, mint, chilli, chicken, seafood, and pork. Limes are $5-$7 a kilo or 30c-80c each.
Take a leap into the exotic with prickly pear! These cactus kin offer juicy, mildly sweet flesh packed with edible seeds. When handling, use gloves or tongs due to their prickly nature. Peel, slice, sprinkle with brown sugar and serve with cream for a tantalising experience. At $7- $12 per kilo, they're a culinary adventure worth indulging in at least once.
With their sweet-tart flavour, plums are perfect for tossing through salads, packing into a lunchbox, poaching, bake or stew. Juicy and tangy mid-season plums are great at $3-$15 a kilo. Serve stewed plums with yoghurt or char grill, and add to salad or pan-stew in vanilla.
VEGETABLES
Australians have a fondness for beetroot, but did you know that Australian canned beetroot is currently in short supply? It's the perfect opportunity to explore how simple preparing and cooking fresh beetroot is. Wrap the whole beets in foil and roast them at 180°C until they're tender (you can check with a skewer). Once cooled, remove the skin, slice or dice the beetroot, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy them in salads or on your burger. Fresh beetroot bulbs sold by the kilo are good value at $2-$4.
Pumpkins are plentiful and sell for $2-$2.50 a kilo for whole pumpkins, depending on the variety. Select from Butternut, Jarrahdale and Jap pumpkins. Cut pumpkin is $2.50-$3 a kilo. Add the sweet, nutty flavour of pumpkin to curries, pasta dishes or roast and toss through cooked couscous or a salad.
Asian leafy greens, such as bok choy, choy sum and gai lum, are a bargain at $2.50-$3 a bunch. Serve these nutritious veggies steamed and tossed in oyster sauce, or add them to a Chinese-inspired stir-fry like this Bok choy & chicken chow Mein.
Victorian-grown broccolini supplies are picking up. Select broccolini with compact buds and firm stems. Broccolini is fabulous value at $3-$4 a bunch. This char-grilled broccolini with tahini chicken is delicious.
Mushrooms are fast and easy to prepare and have a unique nutritional profile. Make your meals healthier by adding mushrooms. Mushrooms are $10-$12 kilo, depending on size and quality.
Zucchini are popular in Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean cooking and are flavoured for their dense white flesh, versatility and mild flavour. Grated zucchini enhances pasta sauces beautifully, while sautéed slices when paired with crushed garlic, create a tender delight. This week, you can find zucchinis at your nearby greengrocer, priced between $4-$7 per kilo.
Crunchy Iceberg lettuce is a thrifty buy at $3-$3.50 ahead. Indulge in the crisp freshness of iceberg lettuce by crafting vibrant salads, layering it in sandwiches for a satisfying crunch, or using it as a refreshing wrap for your favourite fillings.
Snake beans are delicious and incredibly versatile. Incorporate them into stir-fries, pasta dishes, salads, and curries for added flavour and texture. You can purchase snake beans for $3-$4 per bunch
Grab a kilo of eggplant this week for just $3 to $7 per kilo. Explore classic eggplant dishes such as Greece's Moussaka, Italy's Parmigiana, France's Ratatouille, and the Middle East's Baba Ghanoush.
FLOWERS
This week's top flower selections from your nearby floral supplier feature zinnia, gerberas, lisianthus, tuberoses, pineapple lilies, flowering gum, chrysanthemums, tiger lilies, Dutch Iris, bee-hive ginger, bouvardia, and locally sourced roses in a plethora of hues. To prolong their vase life, remember to trim foliage below the waterline and change the water frequently.
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 2024-02-19 15:18:58
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