Brisbane Market Report 229

Brisbane Produce Report – 18 September

  September 17, 2020  strump

North Queensland has entered its peak production period and is delivering a bumper season of fresh fruit and vegetables at the Brisbane Produce Market this week.

In fruit, we are well supplied with excellent quality pineapple, watermelon, cavendish and ladyfinger bananas. Local strawberries continue to be a star performer so make the most of this luscious superfood by adding them to salads, desserts or simply preserve them to make jams or sauces. Supplies of blueberries from New South Wales and limes from Mareeba are increasing whereas in low supplies are raspberries and passionfruit.

Look out for large-sized midknight valencia oranges – available at your local fruit shop, they are seedless and their intense flavour makes them excellent for juicing. Apples and pears are eating well however Corella pears are the pick of the bunch.

Sweet-eating rockmelons from Gumlu are a fantastic buy this week along with creamy avocados from North Queensland. Priced at premium, juicy and succulent kensington pride mangoes from Darwin are bursting with tropical flavour, expect value prices in the coming weeks as the supply increases.

Surprised to see Australian peaches on the shelves at this time of the year? They are a yellow-fleshed variety coming from Central Queensland.

We are spoilt for choice with many fresh green vegetables available including asparagus, celery, silverbeet, broccoli and beans. Locally grown bunches of radishes, spring onions, beetroot and bok choy are also great value.

Bite-sized cherry, mini and roma tomatoes are in abundance and top quality right now. Add them to salads or try roasting them with garlic and herbs for a flavoursome warm side dish. Zucchini from Bundaberg, rhubarb from Mount Tambourine, fennel from Victoria, eggplants, cauliflower, pumpkin, onions, shallots, sweet potatoes and red capsicums are all well supplied.

Enliven your meals by adding ginger, chillies, coriander and parsley as they are plentiful at the moment. Sugar snaps and snow peas have been affected by recent weather whereas supplies of cucumber are improving.

Nutritional powerhouse spinach, rocket and kale are a must addition to your grocery basket this week as they are versatile and can be added to salads, soups, frittatas, pasta or smoothies. Experiment with beautiful zucchini flowers also known as squash blossoms – for a beautiful entrée, fill the flowers with a mix of ricotta, lemon zest and fry in a light batter.

This week’s top pick is sweet red papaya from Far North Queensland. Look for ripe fruit with green and yellow skin that yields gently to pressure. Once ripe, store in the refrigerator for up to two days. To whip up a quick breakfast, drizzle papaya with lime juice, slice and combine with muesli and natural yoghurt or simply add chunks in a fruit salad.

Brisbane Market Report