Brisbane Produce Report – 9 April
April 8, 2020 lleeson
This week’s pick – Shepard avocados from North Queensland.
The Easter Bunny will be pleased as there are plenty of carrots, other fruit and vegetables available and in good supply in the lead up to Easter at the Brisbane Produce Market.
Apple varieties including new season Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Royal Gala are calling out for your attention – all are excellent eating and in good supply. In the citrus family, there is a great supply of versatile lemons and limes with new season Imperial mandarins and Queensland Navel oranges just starting to appear. Supplies are starting to firm for both Cavendish and Lady Finger bananas.
Seasonal changes are bringing new varieties of fruits to shelves – Packham pears are replacing William pears, Crimson red grapes from Victoria are taking over white seedless grapes. The stone fruit season is nearing an end however plums are available and eating well. Strawberries and blueberries from Victoria and Tasmania are in moderate supply, however raspberry supplies have been affected by the weather.
Custard apples, Nashis, persimmons, rockmelon and watermelon are available and in good supply. Pawpaw, pineapple and passionfruit are in short supply. Looking for something exotic? Try rambutan – a tropical fruit marked by its signature bold red colour and bristly spines. The sweet and floral flavour of a rambutan makes it ideal for eating raw as a snack or stewed as a dessert.
With the milder temperatures it might be time to cook some soup. To maximise the flavour, try adding fennel, leeks and all varieties of herbs as they are available in plentiful supply. There is plenty to pick from with eggplants, cucumbers, mushrooms, zucchini, corn, spinach, kale, rocket and silverbeet all in good supply. In shorter supplies are Australian grown ginger, broccoli, celery and cauliflower. Queensland grown Iceberg lettuces are making their way to the market and capsicums are priced at a premium.
Looking to stock up your pantry? Onions from South Australia, sweet potatoes from Bundaberg and pumpkins from the Lockyer Valley are all good options. Tomato prices are variable as the season switches from the southern states to North Queensland.
This week’s top pick is the Shepard avocado from North Queensland. Shepard avocados don’t brown easily and have a nutty flavour and buttery texture which works well in creating smoothies, desserts and dips. Look for bright green avocados that give a little when gently pressed. They can be left at room temperature to ripen for one or two days. Nothing can beat a smashed avo or guacamole but if you are looking to experiment this holiday season then try a healthy chocolate avocado mousse by blending avocados, melted chocolate, agave syrup, milk and salt. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes and serve cold, topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.
Brisbane Market Report