Warm days and cool nights continue to provide the perfect growing conditions for veggies, with an excellent range of seasonal favourites on the shelves this week.
The fruit of the moment is undoubtedly the Queensland-grown strawberries from Chambers Flat and Caboolture. At the peak of their season in August, the strawberries we’re seeing are excellent eating.
Avocados and lemons are also in good supply.
Supplies of bananas are steady, but prices are firming slightly.
Oranges and mandarins are in shorter supply than usual due to a large export demand. Limes from Atherton in North Queensland and rockmelon are also dear.
Due to an oversupply, one of the bargain veggie buys this week is sweet potato from Bundaberg and Rockhampton. Try it in soups, roasted for roasts and salads, baked as wedges, or mashed and served with grilled salmon.
We’ve also got good supplies coming in from other Queensland growers, including beans and capsicums from Gumlu in the Whitsunday region, cauliflower and broccoli from the Lockyer Valley, ginger from the Sunshine Coast, and snow peas and sugar snaps from Bundaberg.
Cherry tomatoes and round tomatoes from North Queensland are great buying, as is local coriander, which loves the cold weather and is producing huge leaves as a result.
Other local vegies in season include eggplant, cabbage (red is double the price of green), garlic, kale, leeks, spinach, onions, potatoes, pumpkins. Interstate growers are keeping us in good supply of Asian vegies, rocket, and salad leaves.
Supplies and prices of corn and cucumber are improving.
We’re also seeing increasing amounts of zucchini arriving, although mushroom supplies are tight.
Celery is firming in price.
This week’s top pick is Thai eggplant, the golf ball-sized variety with mottled white and mauve skin is in good supply at the moment. Look for eggplants with firm, glossy skin and store them for a few days at room temperature. Popular in South-East Asian cooking, Thai eggplants soak up all the deliciously spicy flavours of Thai curries including red, yellow, or jungle style. Or for a quick stir-fry, fry strips of Thai eggplant with diced pork, garlic, chilli jam, fish sauce, palm sugar, and kaffir lime leaves.
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 Produce Market
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