Brisbane Market Report 159

Most fruit and vegetables are in good supply this week, with no major shortages.

Queensland fruit growers are reporting that lemons, limes, longan, rockmelon and watermelon are all great buying this week. Custard apples, star fruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, honeydew, plums, persimmon, and pomegranate are also well-supplied.

Are your kids heading back to school soon? Imperial mandarins have started to come on to the market floor, and as we see a steady supply increasing, these winter favourites will feature strongly as lunchbox snacks. All apple varieties are eating well, as are William and new season Packham pears, so make sure you pop some in the basket this week.

Early season ruby red grapefruit is appearing this week and will increase in supply throughout the season.

Lebanese cucumbers, zucchini and sweet potatoes are our winter vegetable buys this week. Beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, snow peas, carrot, leek, eggplant, fennel, mushrooms, cabbage, lettuce and salad leaves are all in good supply.

Maximise the flavour of sauces and salads with onions and all varieties of herbs — they’re all plentiful. Tomato prices are variable as the season switches from the southern states to north Queensland. Look out in-store for quality cauliflower and yellow capsicums.

This week’s top pick is the Shepard avocado, which is abundant but heading towards the end of its season. Look for bright green avocados that give a little when gently pressed near the stem. Shepard avocados have a nutty flavour and buttery texture that works well with lemon, lime, chilli, coriander, basil, parsley, chicken, smoked salmon, bacon, tomatoes, and even in smoothies and desserts. Because they don’t brown easily, Shepards are excellent for salads and dips. Add to a roast pumpkin salad with spinach greens for a winter zing.

You may also start to see Australian chestnuts in store and will be in season until July. Look for chestnuts that have a glossy, brown, firm shell and feel heavy for their size. Refrigerate fresh chestnuts in a paper bag in the crisper for two to three days. To prepare chestnuts, prick the skin, rinse then simmer in a pan of water or roast in a medium oven for 15 minutes. Peel and seal in a container in the fridge or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Chestnuts can then be used in hearty vegetable soups or in a quick vegetable stir-fry. Roast prepared chestnuts alongside winter favourites; pumpkin, eggplant, potato and celery vegetables with lashings of garlic for winter twist.

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

 

Brisbane Fresh Produce Report

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