12 - 18 November 2018

FRUIT

Fragrant and juicy peach or nectarine are irresistible? Yellow and white flesh varieties from the North Coast of NSW, Peats Ridge (Hawkesbury area), South Australia and Victoria are now available. Prices are ranging from $3-$12 a kilo, depending on size and variety. This Peach and Passionfruit Tart is favourite.

Bananas are an all-time favourite. Expect to pay $1.50-$3 a kilo this week.When banana's start to develop a brown freckled appearance on the dulling yellow skin, this indicates that they are at prime ripeness and all the starch content has changed to sugar, so they are at their sweetest.

Luscious tropical flavoured mangoes are a seasonal treat. Select from Kensington Pride, Calypso and R2E2. Allow firm mangoes to ripen at room temperature until flesh yields to gentle pressure around the stem. Mangoes are coming from Katherine and the Burdekin, fruit is excellent quality and selling for $2-$5 each. Your local greengrocer is sure to have a special on trays ranging from $10-$25 depending on variety and size.

Golden, velvety skinned apricots are in season and available at your local greengrocer for $6-$15 kilo, depending on size and variety. Select plump apricots with a fragrant aroma and no sign of greening around the stem.

Melons flourish in the warmer weather. Mini Lee melons are $3 each. Rockmelon $3-$5 each, Honeydew and Piel de Sapo melons are $3-$5 each and seedless watermelon -$1.20-$2.50 a kilo. Simply serve and serve as a healthy snack. Try this Watermelon, Chicken & Marinated Feta Salad

Check out berries this week. Victorian strawberries are $2-$4 a punnet, blueberries $2-$4 a punnet, blackberries$4-$5 a punnet and raspberries $6-$8 a punnet. This Fresh Berries In Maple & Orange Syrup is a delicious way to enjoy berries.

One of the delights of late spring and summer is without a doubt Australian grown cherries. Adored for their luscious texture, sweet-tangy flavour, not to mention their glamorous glossy looks cherries can be firm or soft fleshed and vary in sweetness, depending on which variety. Early cherry varieties tend to be the softer eating delicately flavoured. This week cherries are $6-$30 a kilo.

VEGETABLES

Fresh green beans are a thrifty buy this week. Machine harvested beans from Gatton are $3-$4 a kilo. Premium handpicked beans are $8-$10 a kilo

Antioxidant rich kale is a tasty and thrifty buy at $1-$2 a bunch. Sauté chopped kale in olive oil and chopped garlic and

serve as a side dish or add to your favourite juice to kick start your day with 100% of your daily requirements of vitamins A, C & K. This Kale With Garlic, Currants & Pine Nuts is a tasty side dish.

Tender, juicy and full of flavour Lebanese cucumbers are a choice buy at $2-$3 a kilo. Combine diced cucumber with ripe tomatoes, olives, thinly sliced onion and feta cheese to make a traditional Greek salad.

Add button mushrooms to your shopping list at $8-$12 a kilo. Slice and add to a pasta dish or stir-fry. Alternatively tread on to a bamboo skewer, marinate and barbecue. These Mushrooms With Bacon & Pine Nut Crumbs are delicious and easy to make.

Asian leafy greens – such as bok choy, choy sum and gai lum are quick to cook, versatile and super nutritious. Add them to your stir-fries for only $1-$2 a bunch.

Ruby red coloured beetroot is sweet, nutty favoured and great value at $2.50-$3.50 a bunch. Use beetroot raw in a salad, finely julienned, it is delicious juiced and teamed with orange and ginger or roast until tender and toss with feta cheese. Or create a Beetroot Detox Breakfast Juice.

Versatile zucchinis are a choice buy at $5-$6 a kilo. Try slicing them in half lengthwise, score, then brush with a little olive oil and place on the barbecue or grill plate, cook turning once until tender. This Broccolini, Zucchini Noodle & Pork Stir-Fry only takes 15 minutes to cook and is packed with goodness,

For value, taste and easy of cooking fresh asparagus is a winner, its delicate nutty flavour can be enjoyed raw or cooked, hot or cold and Aussie spears team deliciously with veal, pasta, seafood, prosciutto, chicken and steak. This premium quality vegetable is top of my list at $1.50-$2.50 a bunch. Purple asparagus is also available for $3-$4 a bunch.

Crisp and vibrant, green sugar snap peas are a choice buy at $10-$12 a kilo. Cooked quickly they maintain their stunning colour and certainly liven up a stir-fry, salad or curry.

FLOWERS

To maximise the vase life of fresh flowers, remember to trim the stem, place in tepid water with a floral preservative and position your vase away for your fruit bowl.

Spring blooms that offer top value are hydrangea, peonies, sunflowers, gerberas, veronica, calla lilies, lisianthus, lilac, lily of the valley, roses, daisies, and for something a little different checkout the flowering artichokes bouvardia, buddleia or agapanthus.

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, Retailer Support Manager on mobile 0438 725 453.

Published On 2018-11-12 15:52:00