18 - 24 March 2019

FRUIT

Fruit Put grapes on your shopping list as the range and quality are superb. With over a dozen different varieties to select from including seeded and seedless varieties, juicy grapes are at their best eating in autumn. Prices are ranging from $3-$10 a kilo, depending on variety, size and colour.

With their sweet, tender and juicy flesh, pears are an autumn delight! To ripen pears, leave at room temperature for 3-5 days. Select from Williams, Packham and Corella pears. Serve pears poached, add wedges to salads or enjoy sliced pears with low-fat cheese. Pears are ranging from $2-$6 a kilo. You will love them Pear & muesli muffins.

Smooth, creamy with a nutty flavour Shepard avocados are a top buy at $1.50-$4 each. A good source of vitamin B6, this vitamin has many functions and is especially important during exercise when it plays a role in changing amino acids into glucose to provide energy to the muscles.

For a truly tropical treat, discover the flavour of mangosteens. A purple fibrous shell, topped with a short stem and leaf-like calyx encases the edible flesh. The creamy white flesh is segmented and tastes similar to fruit salad. Small fruit is $20-$25 a kilo.

Custard apples are in season. Select firm, well-shaped custard apples with dull green skin. Ripen firm fruit at room temperate for 2-3 days until fruit yields to gentle pressure. Enjoy their creamy sweet flavour teamed with passionfruit, oranges, pineapples and kiwifruit. The smaller African Pride the larger sized Pink Mammoths are $10-$12 a kilo.

Sweet persimmon also known as Fuji fruit is a non-astringent persimmon the most popular variety being the Fuyu. Select smooth, glossy, bright-coloured orange fruit. Like an apple, sweet persimmon can be eaten firm and crisp, however, you can also leave at room temperature to soften. Sweet Persimmon are $7-$10 a kilo, depending on size and quality.

Whilst apples are available year-round, the harvesting of the major varieties takes place between March and May. This month is the perfect time to enjoy new season, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Kanzi, Mi, Golden delicious, Jonathon, Fuji and Pink Lady apples for $3-$10 a kilo depending on size and variety.

Autumn is the time to discover the aromatic and flavoursome guavas. Their vibrant pink flesh when ripe has a granular yet creamy texture. Peel, cut in half and remove seeds, enjoy added to fruit salad, poach, juice or turn in to jelly. Guavas are $5-$9 a kilo.

VEGETABLES

Vegetables Chestnut season has started and you would be nuts not to try them. Cooked chestnuts have a sweet, taste and a texture similar to roast sweet potato. Chestnuts are easily boiled, baked, grilled or roasted. Pick up a kilo and enjoy chestnuts in soups, stir-fries, pasta dishes or make a creamy chestnut dessert. This week chestnuts are $10-$16 a kilo, depending on variety and size.

Roast pumpkin is delicious and served hot or cold. Roast pumpkin with the skin on or off it’s a personal choice, but try sprinkling it with fresh herbs, Moroccan spice mix or combination of chilli and garlic embellish pumpkins, natural sweetness. Jap, butternut and Jarrahdale pumpkins are plentiful and if purchased whole are selling for around $1-$1.50 a kilo.

Leeks are superb sautéed and used in egg-based dishes like quiche and frittata, they add a lovely sweetness to soups, casseroles, pies and vegetable dishes. You’ll pay $1.50-$3.

Vibrant eggplant comes in many shapes and sizes, so versatile, this mild tasting veggie is the perfect addition to a variety of cold and cold autumn dishes because it readily absorbs flavour and becomes very tender once cooked. Eggplant is delicious any way you try it barbecued, roasted, grilled or fried. Eggplants are selling for $3-$7 a kilo.

Medium to large sized zucchinis are well supplied and great value at $3-$6 a kilo. Zucchini’s mild flavour makes them extremely versatile. Grated zucchini is ideal for adding to risotto, rissoles, meatloaf, pasta dishes and tasty zucchini, parmesan and basil frittatas or use them in a delicious cake like our 'zucchini and date cake'.

Lively, leafy Asian greens add flavour, colour and crunch to stir-fries. Make the most of the quality selection on offer for $1.50-$2.50 a bunch.

Kale is a super nutritious leafy green that is delicious and easy to prepare. Crisp and crunchy the leaves are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and iron. Toss trimmed leaves into stir-fries, soups, delicious roasted or sautéed kale is a thrifty buy a $2.50-$3 a bunch.

Mushroom offers flavour, value and convenience. Rich in B group vitamins and fibre, mushrooms are nutritious, delicious and thrifty at $8-$10 a kilo. Try our Leek, mushroom & baby spinach risotto.

FLOWERS

Flowers There is a glorious selection of fresh cut flowers available this week including, David Austin roses, lisianthus, celosia, sunflowers, tulips, fragrant roses, dahlia, bird of paradise, snapdragons, stock, oriental lilies, pom pom chrysanthemum, asters, gum nuts, trix, daisy chrysanthemum, protea and Easter daisies. Potted cyclamen and hyacinth.

Prices quoted in this report are only relevant for the week of the report. All prices are estimates only as prices vary depending on the variety, size and quality of the produce and the trading area. For further information please contact Sue Dodd, Marketing Consultant on 02 9325 6200. Please credit the source if republishing images or copy.

Published On 2019-03-18 13:15:00