12 - 18 February 2018


FRUIT

Sweet eating seedless grapes such as natural sultana, Thompson, Menideee, Flame and Red Globe varieties and baby currant grapes are in season. Depending on variety, grapes are ranging in price from $4-$10 a kilo. Of special note look out for the new Cotton Candy grapes they taste like pink fairy floss and Sweet Celebration. Expect to pay $10 -$12 a kilo for this variety.

New season Williams pears are superb quality and top value at $2-$4 a kilo.

Luscious, sweet figs are sublime. Figs team equally as well with savoury foods such as nuts, meats and cheese as they do with sweet ingredients such as citrus and chocolate. Enjoy quality figs for 50¢-$3 each.

Late summer is peak plums season. Delicious eaten as snack; plums are also a tasty addition to a salad. Plums are selling for $3-$10 a kilo, with the exception of the highly coloured and super high antioxidant rich Queen Garnet variety which are selling for $14-$20 a kilo, depending on size.

There is nothing quite like a new season apple. Bilpin and Stanhope apple harvest is underway and Royal Gala apples are sweet, juicy and crisp. Available from February through to August, Royal Gala apples are a medium sized and the skin has a yellow base with red flushes. Greengrocers are selling Royal Galas apples for $2-$5 a kilo.

Sun-ripened golden and white fleshed peaches and nectarines are at their prime. Brimming with flavour, peaches and nectarines are $3-$7 a kilo, depending on flesh colour and size. The large golden skinned and fleshed Golden Queen variety has started, these are a gorgeous peach to preserve or poach.

Mangoes are still available for $3-$65 each. Select from Klietts, R2E2, Kensington Pride, Calypso, Kent and Honey Gold. Team with juicy, exotic tasting lychees at $10-$30 a kilo with lime and mint for a refreshing dessert.

Tangy limes are plentiful and very affordable at $3-$7 a kilo or 20¢-70¢ each, look for bulk buy specials. To maximise the volume of juice you get from a lime, roll limes between your palm and the benchtop to loosen fibres before cutting and juicing. The juicy lime dressing in this salad certainly makes it moreish Coriander, mint & lime chicken noodle salad.

VEGETABLES

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a quick and easy stir-fry like this Red Chilli Beef with locally grown bok choy. Bok choy is $1.50-$2.50 a bunch.

Fresh sweetcorn from growers in the Richmond and Windsor area and Victoria continues to be a thrifty buy at 80¢ - $1 a cob. For a mid-week meal try Mexican chilli, sweetcorn & kumara salad.

Radishes are totally underrated, their crisp texture and mild mustard flavour add a delicious pop of flavour and texture to summer salads. Pick up a bunch for $2.50 -$4, depending on variety.

Versatile carrots have a superb flavour and are rich in vitamin A. This variety is distinguishable by their deep orange colour and shorter and thicker shape; expect to pay $1.50-$2.50 a kilo.

Trendy cauliflower is the new kale, packed with goodness this white member of the cruciferae family is popular as a low kJ vegetables and rice substitute. Grated finely and quickly sautéed until tender it is both delicious and healthy. Another popular way to serve cauliflower is to serve it as a mash. Cauliflowers are $4-$5 each this week.

Baby fennel bulbs with their delicate aniseed flavour are the perfect addition to summer http://www.sydneymarkets.com.au/recipes-and-produce/recipes/tomato-fennel-and-burrata-salad.htmlsalads. Finely shred and team with medley tomatoes, in a salad or risotto. Fennel marries will with superbly with oranges potatoes, mushrooms, seafood and lamb. Baby fennel is available at your local greengrocer for $1-$2 a bulb.

Versatile snake beans are in season and tender. Steam or stir-fry to serve as a side dish or add to a stir-fry. Snake beans are $2.50-$4 a bunch.

Victorian and Sydney grown salad tomatoes are tasty buy at $3-$5 a kilo. Victoria and locally grown Roma tomatoes $3-$5 a kilo. Saucing tomatoes are $20-$25 a box.

FLOWERS

There is stunning assortment of fresh flowers in store this week. Tropical are striking look, so out for bird of paradise and heliconia, in native’s banksias and proteas are have a long vase life while the softer classics such as gerbera, zinnia, Iris, tuberose, red roses, sunflowers, dahlias, celosia, daisies, lavender, lisianthus and Oriental lilies are simply gorgeous.

Just a reminder that Tuesday 14 February is Valentine’s Day and 16 February is Chinese New Year’s Eve this is one of the busiest weeks in the floral calendar.

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, Retail Support Manager on tel 0438 725 453.



Published On 2018-02-12 15:35:00

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