Brisbane Market Report 138

As Queensland’s growing regions heat up, we’re seeing more Victorian produce arrive into the Brisbane Produce Market this week including apricots, strawberries, Valencia oranges, and cherries.

Cherries are at the start of their season, so prices will come down over the next few weeks as Tasmanian supplies arrive. New season blackberries are also in stock, and blueberries are still plentiful though quality is mixed. The best quality buys this week include mangoes, bananas, rockmelon and watermelon.

In stone fruit, we have abundant supplies of nectarines and peaches, and increasing quantities of plums from Kumbia, in Queensland’s South Burnett region. For a taste of the tropics, there’s plenty of dragonfruit, limes, lychees, pawpaw and passionfruit on the shelves and crying out for a fruit salad or cocktail.

Victorian-grown vegies like asparagus, rocket, spinach, snow peas, kale, and salad leaves are fantastic buying this week. Closer to home, we have good supplies of cucumbers, beans, eggplant, radishes, spring onions, zucchini, capsicum, sweet potato, lettuce, and onions.

Right on our doorstep, watercress from Chandler and baby carrots from Rochedale, both on Brisbane’s southside, are worth a look. For a flavour-packed salad or side, combine them with herbs like basil, oregano, sage, thyme, and parsley, all of which are plentiful.

The less common Gem squash, a small, round variety with green skin, is delicious halved and grilled with butter and garlic. Truss, cherry, mini roma, and grape tomatoes are all great value and eating beautifully.

This week’s top pick is mushrooms, thanks to the excellent supplies button, flat, and Swiss brown mushrooms arriving from Woodford. Look for firm, fresh-smelling mushrooms and store in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week. Combine finely sliced mixed mushrooms with lemon zest and juice, olive oil, grated parmesan, and handfuls of freshly chopped parsley for a simple yet deceptively flavourful salad.

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 www.facebook.com/yourlocalfruitshop

Brisbane Produce Report