Brisbane Market Report 280

Brisbane Produce Report – 24 September

  September 23, 2021  adonaldson

Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh, in-season, colourful produce to reconnect yourself with a lighter, fresher diet as the weather warms up – think salads, smoothies, and lots of leafy greens.

Luckily, there is no shortage of quality fresh fruit and vegetables arriving at the Brisbane Produce Market this week.

Now is the time to start buying new season Kensington Pride mangoes that are in good supply from the Northern Territory. When picking a mango, don’t focus on the colour as it’s not the best indicator of ripeness; instead, squeeze the mango gently – a ripe mango will slightly yield to pressure.

Is there anything better than sweet, juicy strawberries and blueberries on a hot sunny day? Currently in heavy supply, berries are a healthy indulgence as they are naturally sweet and low in fat. Have them fresh or freeze them for future use in smoothies, ice creams or spreads. They’re also great on their own for dessert if you have a sweet tooth but want healthier options.

In citrus, limes are a great buy this week along with juicy oranges and zesty lemons. Both papayas and pineapples are also in good supply and are choice buys this week. Avocados from Western Australia, rockmelons, apples, pears, and Queensland-grown bananas all continue to offer fantastic value at the moment.

In vegetables, there is a flush of new season veggies in the Market. Gympie-grown green beans, asparagus, snow peas, silverbeet and celery are all abundant. For salads, the top value ingredient right now is iceberg lettuce from Gatton. Did you know iceberg lettuce is 96% water? That’s extra hydration with a bit of crunch during those hot days! Other varieties include baby cos, romaine, and oak leaf, all of which make great additions to salads, burgers, rolls, and wraps.

Another in-season veg that adds crunch to almost any dish is peppery radish. Radishes are best enjoyed when served thinly sliced in salads and tacos, but you can also pickle them for an enhanced sweet and tangy flavour.

Cabbages from the Lockyer Valley are in plentiful supply and great value buys this week. Stock up for coleslaw or gut-friendly foods such as kimchi. Supplies of carrots and capsicums have dropped off, while cucumbers are improving.

Often overlooked, beetroot from Boonah is in fantastic quality and supply right now. Blend some with Greek yoghurt to make a delicious and healthy dip to enjoy with crackers.

Highly nutritious broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, washed potatoes, rhubarb and mushrooms are all available this week.  Fennel and leeks are also enjoying the last of their season, while spring onions, English spinach, rocket, and kale are in adequate supply.

This week’s top pick is the ultimate spring veggie – new season Aussie asparagus from Victoria. Asparagus is amongst the world’s earliest cultivated vegetables – ancient civilisations as diverse as China, Egypt and Rome used it to treat inflammation, digestive problems and even hangovers. Asparagus is highly nutritious and unbelievably easy to cook – try it roasted, blanched, pan-fried, grilled, or steamed. Select bright green, firm, even-sized asparagus with tightly closed tips and store it in the crisper section of the fridge.

Brisbane Market Report