Brisbane Market Report 175

Cooler temperatures around the state have resulted in lower volumes of fruit, so vegetables are offering more variety and value this week.

Pineapples, pears, navel oranges and watermelon are your best bet for lunch boxes and snacks, plus there are also some good red grapes to be found. Mandarins are still available, but volumes are decreasing with the season finishing soon.

For breakfast, we can’t go past toast with the excellent quality avocados available at the moment, along with cherry tomatoes and torn basil. Another great option is muesli or yoghurt with red pawpaw, which is back in good supply.

Bananas, limes and raspberries are all running short, while Pink lady and Gala apples are also in lower supply than other varieties.

There’s plenty to choose from in the vegetable department: we have good supplies of celery, coriander, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, radish, spinach, sweet potato, ginger, green capsicum, tomatoes, watercress, zucchini and potatoes, and hand-picked beans.

Brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower are plentiful this week, so stock up for roasts, salads and tarts. Our other best buys include fennel, which elevates even the simplest dishes with its lightly sweet anise flavour. Try it sliced and baked along with chicken thighs and a sauce of orange juice and zest, fennel seeds, dijon mustard, salt, pepper and olive oil.

New-season asparagus from Victoria is another vegetable worth a look — select firm, bright green stalks with moist ends. Asian vegetables, celeriac, and kale are all available in moderate volumes.

If you’re a fan of Brussels sprouts, get in quick as the season is coming to an end. Cabbage, corn, lettuce, and red capsicums are all short.

This week’s top pick is mushrooms, which add depth and a hearty flavour to many winter dishes. Choose firm, fresh-looking mushrooms that have a clean, earthy smell and no shrivelling or wet feel. Store mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge — they should last for up to a week. Rich in antioxidants, mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be grilled, sautéed, baked, or cooked in risottos and soups. For a quick last-minute meal, sauté button mushrooms with sliced garlic, thyme, and olive oil until soft. Sprinkle with lemon juice, Persian feta and parsley and serve with a slice of toasted sourdough.

You can buy the best of what the season has to offer at your nearest ‘A Better Choice / Your Local Fruit Shop’. Locate your closest store at www.abetterchoice.com.au/store-locator/ 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 Report