19 - 25 November 2018

FRUIT

Kensington Pride mangoes (also known as Bowen mangoes), R2E2 and the highly blushed calypso variety all have a rich tropical aroma and yield to gentle pressure when ripe. Sniff out a flavoursome tropical treat this week for $2-$4 each, depending on size. Fruit is now coming from Bowen, Mareeba and Townsville. Sweet up rice paper rolls with a slice of cheeky mango. Try these Mango, Cucumber & Chicken Rice Paper Rolls.

Irresistible, new season peaches and nectarines are fragrant, juicy and bursting with flavour. Both white and yellow flesh peaches and nectarines are available at your local greengrocers for $3-$10 a kilo, depending. Try Roasted Peaches With Pistachio Crumble.

Larger, sweeter and firmer cherry varieties like Ron’s, Lapins, Stellas and Bings from NSW, South Australian and Victoria orchards are now available at your local greengrocer. Prices are ranging from $6-$30 a kilo, depending on size, quality and variety.

There are good supplies of sweet eating berries. Fragrant strawberries are a top buy at $1-$4 a punnet (depending on variety and size), blueberries are attractively priced at $2-$4 a punnet, divine tasting raspberries are $4-$8 a punnet and glossy blackberries are $4-$5 a punnet.

Golden-fleshed apricots are scrumptious eaten fresh or cook. Add apricots to savoury or sweet dishes turn them into homemade jam, spicy apricot chutney or poach apricots in a vanilla syrup to serves as a dessert or for breakfast. Apricots are $6-$15 a kilo.

New season plums from the North Coast are flavoursome. Select from yellow and red fleshed varieties this week with fruit available for $7-$14 a kilo.

Quality rockmelons are super sweet and delicious eating this week and only $3-$5 each, depending on size.

VEGETABLES

For value, taste and versatility fresh asparagus is a winner; its delicate nutty flavour can be enjoyed raw or cooked. Asparagus is a top buy at $1.50-$3 a bunch. Buy crisp asparagus spears with tightly-closed tips. Choose bunches with even-sized spears that require the same cooking time.

The peppery flavour of watercress combines deliciously with walnuts, cucumber and sliced white nectarines to make an interesting salad. Rich in vitamin C, watercress is a bargain at $2-$2.50 a bunch. This combination of plum, watercress, prosciutto & goat cheese makes a flavoursome salad.

Glossy purple-black skinned eggplants have a tender texture and subtle flavour. Delicious sautéed, baked, grilled or barbecued, eggplants absorb flavours so work well with flavours like tomato, garlic and basil. Premium glasshouse grown eggplant are firm and tasty, expect to pay $4-5 a kilo for field grown eggplant and $7-$10 a kilo for glasshouse.

Mild tasting zucchinis are this week’s bargain. With supplies currently coming from several growing regions the prices have dropped to $2-$5 a kilo. These Cheesy Zucchini And Carrot 'Nuggets' are tasty way to hind vegies from fussy eaters.

Versatile celery is a bargain this week at $3-$4 a bunch. Add crunch to stir-fries and salads with celery.

Red and green cabbage is plentiful and selling for $2-$3 a head. Cook rapidly and briefly for maximum flavour. Stir-fry, pan-fry or steam. Team finely shredded raw Cabbage, Apple and Carrot in this tasty Coleslaw to serve with Peri Peri Chicken Burgers.

Cos and Iceberg lettuce are a thrifty buy this week at $2-$2.50 a head.

Superfood mushrooms are a must have on the shopping list. Simply adding three button mushrooms to your diet has significant health benefits. Try our Asian style sticky mushrooms. These tasty mushrooms are delicious served with brown rice for a light 'meatless' main meal. Mushrooms are $8-$10 a kilo.

Asian leafy greens are quick to cook, versatile and super nutritious. Add them to your favourite stir-fry for only $1-$1.50 a bunch.

Machine harvested green beans are a bargain at $3-$4 a kilo. Handpicked beans are $10-$14 a kilo.

FLOWERS

This week I recommended hydrangeas (white, blue, pinks and mauve), there is a fabulous selection of peonies, dahlia have started, bouvardia, Christmas bells, Oriental lilies, achilleas, agapanthus (white and purple), David Austin roses, delphinium, buddleia, sunflowers, artichoke flowers, crab claws, king proteas, spider orchids, Canterbury bells, leucadendron and lisianthus.

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 tel 0438 725 453.

Published On 2018-11-19 15:52:00