Brisbane Market Report 151

As Queensland farmers contend with extreme heat and cyclones, we’re seeing flow-on effects at the Brisbane Produce Market particularly when it comes to vegetable lines this week.

Fruit supplies are faring a little better, with plenty of great buys including excellent quality watermelons, super sweet hybrid pineapples, and new season Gala apples and William pears. The season for Thompson grapes is just getting started and both green and red varieties are well priced.

You’ll notice Shepard avocados taking over from Hass on the shelves as the season in Mareeba and the Northern Territory kicks off. Prices will continue to come down as volume increases. One of the best things about the Shepard variety? They don’t go brown when cut, so they’re ideal for dips like guacamole.

The stone fruit season is nearly over, but plums are still in good supply — we’re loving the Queen Garnet and the super sweet Sugar plum varieties. It’s also your last chance to get your hands on mangoes, with the season finishing in two weeks.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, there are plenty of good value Queensland-grown veggies to buy this week: look for capsicums from Stanthorpe, as well as sweet potato, eggplant and zucchini from the Bundaberg region.

Broccoli and cauliflower are expensive, but the quality is good. Heat has affected supplies of snow peas, as well as leafy lines like cos lettuce, spinach, rocket and mesclun.

This week’s top pick is the unusual and perhaps underappreciated spaghetti squash. This squash makes a great addition to Bolognese sauce, lasagna or gratin. Spaghetti squash gets its name from the noodle-like strands that separate once roasted and it’s becoming more popular as a low-carb alternative to pasta. Slice the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and roast it facing down in a baking dish with a little water for 30- 45 minutes. Use a fork to separate the flesh into ‘noodles’ – no spiralisers or fancy gadgets required! Serve with pasta sauce or simply a little olive oil, salt and pepper.

You can buy the best of what the season has to offer at your nearest A Better Choice/Your Local Fruit Shop. Go to www.yourlocalfruitshop.com.au to locate your closest store. Check out our Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts at www.facebook.com/yourlocalfruitshop

Brisbane Produce Market