BRISBANE PRODUCE REPORT

17 AUGUST

• 17 August, 2023

With the Ekka festivities in full swing, your local fruit and veg shop has a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables to fulfil all your entertaining and snacking needs. While food and produce are on display at the annual show, the Brisbane Markets provide a wide selection of fresh produce to fruit and vegetable shops, restaurants and other businesses every day, so you can shop with confidence year-round.

Our pick of the week is Sweet Corn, coming in from Bowen and Gatton. Deliciously sweet and juicy, Sweet Corn is packed with vitamins C and A, dietary fibre and Iron. In great supply and well-priced, Corn is an amazingly versatile vegetable, whether you like it on the cob, boiled, roasted, barbequed, or used to complement delicious recipes like these Air-Fried Broccoli and Corn Cheese Balls.

The unseasonably warm weather we’ve had towards the end of winter is benefiting brassica vegetables grown in the Lockyer Valley. This includes Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery and several varieties of Cabbage and Lettuce, keeping the price down at your local fruit and veg shop.

South Australian Brussels Sprouts are nearing the end of their season, so while there’s plenty of supply this week, you’ll see less of this winter veg in store over the coming weeks. Make the most of this healthy, nutty flavoured green veg and enjoy this Brussels Sprouts in Pecan Sauce. 

With an abundant supply of Capsicum still coming in from North Queensland growing regions, the price on this vegetable is staying down. Packed with vitamins A, C and B-6, iron and magnesium, make the most of this affordable veg by throwing it in a stir fry, roasting, or making a delicious Capsicum Pesto.

You’ll also find Zucchini cheaply priced this week, as growing conditions have been favourable in both Bundaberg and Lockyer Valley. While Zucchini are low calorie and high in potassium and antioxidants, they can also be part of a fun tasty snack when you use this Parmesan Thyme Zucchini Fries recipe.

Full of healthy fats and vitamins and still in abundance, Avocados from New South Wales should be in your local fruit and veg shop this week! Want to ripen your Avocado quicker? Place it in a paper bag and leave on the countertop. This will produce ethylene gas that will help the fruit ripen faster so you can eat your Avocado sooner.

The price of Tomatoes has come back down, growing well in Bowen and Bundaberg. Why not combine a few well priced items available this week to enjoy a wonderfully hearty breakfast with this Avocado, Corn and Tomato Omelette.

Sunshine Coast-grown Strawberries are coming into full swing and make for the perfect lunchbox snack. Try our take on the famous Ekka Strawberry Sundae which is guaranteed to brighten your day!

Passionfruit from Gympie is in steady supply. An excellent source of dietary fibre and vitamin C, Passionfruit can be eaten from the shell, used in baking or juices. When buying Passionfruit, avoid wrinkled, dry or blemished skin.

New South Wales grown Custard Apples and South Australian Quince are both nearing the end of their seasons, so make the most of these items while they’re still available. Although Quince is best prepared poached or in a Marmalade, all you need to enjoy a Custard Apple is a spoon.

Your local A better choice! fruit and veg shop hand picks their produce from the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea, which comes from thousands of Australian farms. Why not call in and see your local fruit and veg shop for the best quality, choice, freshness, and service available!

Brisbane Produce Markets