Brisbane Market Report 101

Heatwaves in Victoria and South Australia, the avocado shortage, and the glut of pineapples have all been making headlines around the country this week. But for a good news story at the Brisbane Produce Market, we have a word for you: stonefruit.

Your Local Fruit Shop owners’ shelves are heaving with top quality peaches, plums and nectarines, particularly the white varieties known as Majestic Pearl and Fire Pearl. Now’s the time to buy up big and use any excess in compotes, upside-down cakes, crumbles, and jams. Look for plump, fragrant, and richly coloured fruit that gives slightly when pressed.

Also good buying this week are blueberries — with large supplies coming from mid-NSW. They’re great value and loaded with good stuff like antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and fibre. Rockmelon, watermelon and Queensland-grown figs are still going strong, while Royal Gala and Fuji from Stanthorpe are the pick of apples.

The grape season is off to an excellent start with good quality Menindee grapes at reasonable prices, and we’re looking forward to the imminent arrival of the Thomson seedless variety. Mourning the disappearance of Kensington Pride mangoes? We recommend giving the R2E2 variety a go — quality and flavour have improved as the trees have matured over the years.

While avocados are still expensive, prices should come down once the Shepherd variety arrives.

When it comes to vegies, the heat continues to affect broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, and zucchini. Also expensive are capsicums, snow peas and mushrooms. On the flip side, beans, pumpkins, and eggplants are in plentiful supply, while root vegetables such as onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beetroot are all good buying.

This week’s top picks are tomatoes, with a special mention going to Stanthorpe-grown Roma tomatoes. To evoke the flavours of an Italian summer, sauté two chopped garlic cloves in 1/2 cup olive oil, add a few punnets of cherry or mini Roma tomatoes along with a pinch of sugar, sea salt and pepper, and cook until tomatoes burst. Toss through cooked pasta with fresh basil and parmesan.

You can buy the best of what the season has to offer at your nearest Your Local Fruit Shop. Go to www.yourlocalfruitshop.com.au to locate your closest store. Check out the Your Local Fruit Shop Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts at https://www.facebook.com/yourlocalfruitshop