18 - 23 September 2018

FRUIT

Australians love their strawberries and right now is the peak time to enjoying luscious sweet eating strawberries at great prices. As with all farmers who produce food for our nation, strawberry growers strive to ensure the quality, security and freshness of their produce. Recent spiteful incidents have been extremely disheartening and troubling for growers, wholesalers and greengrocers.

Continuing to purchase strawberries is the best way to show your support for our hardworking Strawberry Growers. However, for peace of mind, given recently isolated incidents, we recommend taking the simple precaution of chopping, slicing or dicing your fresh strawberries before eating. We also highly recommend this Microwave Strawberry Jam recipe. Strawberries are $1-$4 a punnet, depending on size.

Darwin’s succulent, sweet Kensington Pride mangoes are bursting with tropical flavour. Make a quick Mango and Corn Salsa to serve barbecued pork or add Mango to Cucumber and Chicken Rice Paper Rolls. Mangoes are $3-$5 each, depending on variety.

Spring pineapples are sweet eating. Enjoy them in a fruit salad; add them to a Thai style curry, a sweet and sour dish, kids love a classic ham and pineapple pizza or team with spring fruits for a vitamin rich dessert salad. Small sized Queensland grown pineapples are $3-$6 each, depending on variety and size. Toss pineapple with strawberries, chopped oranges and blueberries in a super-sized vitamin C spring fruit salad.

Brimming with healthy goodness, tropical-tasting papaya from the Mossman area of Far North Queensland is a bargain this week at $3-$6 a kilo. A fragrant aroma is a good indication of good flavour. If cut, select fruit with bright-coloured, undamaged flesh. Start your morning with this Papaya, Mango & Pineapple With Lime Yoghurt.

VEGETABLES

The refreshing flavour of mint is a tasty addition to an Asian style salad. Toss mint leaves with coriander leaves, thinly sliced cucumber, chopped green onions (shallots) and shredded cooked chicken. Drizzle with a mixture of sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce and lime juice. Top with chopped roasted peanuts and serve. Grab a bunch of fresh mint this week for only $2.50-$3 a bunch. This Mint & Redcurrant Sauce is superb served with fish or lamb.

Fresh, luscious Victorian asparagus is top value and premium quality right now. Thick or thin spears are equally as tender, but it makes sense to buy the same thickness as they will take the same time to cook. Asparagus is available for $2.50-$4 a bunch, depending on thickness and size of bunch. These Asparagus & Ham Cheese Munchies are a delicious snack or party food.

Asian greens are top quality and value this week. For maximum flavour and freshness buy Asian greens regularly and cook them only until just tender. Asian greens are $1.50-$2.50 a bunch.

Large heads of snow-white cauliflower are a top buy this week at $3-$3.50 a head. Roast up the florets until tender and toss cauliflower through a spring salad, serve with a tahini dressing or a dip.

Flavoursome broad beans are still available for $5-$7 a kilo. Remove bean from the pod, shell a second time then simmer in boiling water until just tender. Broad beans team superbly with chicken, lamb, mushrooms, feta, mint, potatoes and artichokes.

Watercress has a distinct peppery flavour and is an excellence source of vitamin C. Add watercress to salads; serve with roast beef, tomatoes or with grilled or barbecued salmon fillets. Watercress is $2.50-$3.50 a bunch and is best used within 2-3 days of purchase. Try this Watercress, Green Apple & Smoked Salmon Salad.

Leafy silverbeet and English spinach are also super good value at $2.50-$3. Spinach is rich in an antioxidant called lutein, which is important for eye health.

Crisp textured with a mild aniseed flavour fresh fennel is a Mediterranean vegetable that teams superbly with citrus, tomatoes, potatoes, seafood, lamb and chicken. Delicious served raw or cooked, fennel offers shopper good value at $2-$2.50 a bulb. Try our recipe for Grape Tomato, Prawn, Chilli & Fennel Linguine.

FLOWERS

This week the pick of the bunch includes ranunculus, freesia, sweet peas, stock, pierus, daffodils, tulips, roses, anemones, daffodil, tiger lilies, berzelia, baby’s breath, queen Anne’s lace, poppies, yellow and purple iris, gladioli, hellebores, oriental lilies, cherry blossom, poppies, alstroemeria and loads of interesting foliage.

Published On 2018-09-18 15:35:00