6 - 12 February 2023 update Sydney Market that includes availability and price of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Also includes recipe suggestions.
FRUIT
February is a great month to enjoy sweet, juicy and crunchy Australia-grown grapes. With more than 20 varieties in season, it’s the perfect time to discover newer types like Autumn Crisp, Cotton Candy, Ivory, Sapphire and Sweet Joy. Red-skinned Ralli Seedless grapes are crunchy, sweet and perfect for the school lunch box.
Depending on your choice, grapes range in price from $4 to $20 a kilo.
Luscious figs are honey-sweet. You can enjoy figs for 50¢-$3 each depending on variety and size. Keep figs refrigerated until serving. Serve with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in prosciutto, tossed in a salad or for a dessert, we recommend fig clafoutis. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.
Just picked, new season Royal Gala apples are a crunchy treat. The first of the new season varieties, this sweet apple has dense, juicy white flesh and is super crisp.
Luscious plump raspberries are at their best. Store raspberries on a plate lined with a paper towel and covered with plastic in the fridge. Use within 1–2 days. Tasmanian raspberries are $2.50-$7 a punnet. Try our raspberry & almond cake; it’s delicious.
Juicy plums are naturally sweet, and there are numerous varieties to select from, so special note the highly coloured, red fleshed and super antioxidant-rich Queen Garnet variety are now in season. Depending on the variety, plums will be $3-$15 a kilo.
Yellow fleshed peaches and nectarines are plentiful and eat very nicely. Expect to pay $3-$8 a kilo, depending on size. Late-season Golden Queen peaches are a classic peach with pale golden skin and flesh colour, larger sized and firm flesh; this peach is popular for preserving. Golden Queen peaches are selling for $5-$10 a kilo.
Mangoes are a summer classic, and late-season varieties like late-season Keitt, Pearl, Palmer, Honey Gold and Calypso mangoes are perfect for using in a salsa flavoured with chilli and coriander or whip up a batch of mango muffins. Mangoes are $3-$5 each.
Put some zing in your day with Aussie limes for 30¢-$1 each. Squeeze lime juice over seafood, use in marinades, whip up a tangy lime butter or drizzle a little juice into dishes to reduce richness. 7 delicious ways to use limes. Look for bulk buy specials at your local greengrocer.
Pineapples – we are not seeing a glut of pineapples, but the fruit is eating sweetly. Large pineapples are in short supply, and pineapples with crowns are more plentiful than the topless variety..Expect to pay $2-$6, depending on size and variety. These Sri Lankan chilli pineapples with chicken skewers are a delicious easy meal.
Firm, red, glasshouse-grown truss tomatoes and field-grown salad tomatoes are only $3-$6 a kilo. Fleshy Roma tomatoes are $4-$6 a kilo, and cherry and grape tomatoes are $2-$4 a punnet.
VEGETABLES
Zucchinis are good value, better value.; depending on size, they will be $3-$5 per kilo. Grated zucchini is perfect for adding to a pasta sauce or sauté sliced zucchini with crushed garlic until tender. If you’re counting kilojoules, use zucchinis and a pasta replacement and make zoodles. This zucchini, tomato & basil spaghetti with ricotta is easy and delicious.
Slender, fleshy, dark green snake beans are tender, mild-flavoured, and versatile. Snake beans are at their peak freshness and value in late summer to early autumn. Pick up a bunch this week for $2.50-$3.50 a bunch. Try them in salads, curries or stir-fries.
Select small, tender, highly coloured carrots. An essential ingredient in stocks and casseroles, carrots also add colour and flavour to soups, stir-fries, salads and roasts. Expect to pay $1-$3 a kilo. A prepacked kilo bag is always the thriftiest buy.
Chinese cabbage, also known as Wombok, is a choice buy this week. This versatile, leafy green is perfect for shredding and adding stir-fries or rice noodle dishes. Chinese cabbage is $3-$5 ahead.
Sweetcorn will be a popular choice this week. Apart from your traditional all-golden cobs this week, polka dot or bi-coloured (white and yellow kernels) are in season and super sweet. Sweetcorn will retail for 50c to $1 a cob.
Green onions have a mild onion flavour and are ideal for using raw or cooked. Expect to pay $2.50-$3 a bunch.
Tasty and nutritious mushrooms are an all-year-round favourite. The large meaty flat mushrooms are rich in flavour and ideal for pan-frying, grilling, baking or barbecuing. Flat mushrooms are $10-$12 a kilo.
Turn the humble pumpkin into a star performer this week. Jap pumpkins are delicious roasted and added to salads, pasta dishes, curries, risotto, casseroles, scones and cakes. Jap pumpkins have bright orange flesh and sweet, nutty flavour; expect to pay $1.50-$3 a kilo; buying a whole pumpkin is always the best value.
FLOWERS
Tuesday the 14th of February is Valentine’s Day, and while there’s no denying red roses are the traditional floral gift, if you’re looking for something a little less cliché to gift this Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of alternatives.
Consider tropical flowers like bird of paradise and heliconias. Natives like banksias and proteas have a long vase life. Softer classics in season in February include gerbera, zinnia, Iris, David Auston roses, tuberoses, coloured roses, flamingo celosia, sunflowers, dahlias, celosia, daisies, lavender, hydrangea, lisianthus and Oriental lilies are simply gorgeous. Whatever your choice, get in touch with your florist today to arrange your fresh flowers for Monday.
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 2023-02-06 14:01:00
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