VEGETABLES
The quality and value or most vegetables is generally very good right now
Asparagus – Australian season over – currently unavailable
Beans – Hand picked in punnet – excellent quality
Broccoli – Good supplies. Very good quality
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – excellent quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – Excellent supplies from QLD – very good quality and value
Carrots – Premium quality, tender and sweet. It’s always best to store carrots in a plastic bag or tupperware, to prevent them from drying out and turning limp.
Caulitflower – Victorian season. Very good quality and value
Corn – QLD season – excellent quality
Cucumbers – Locally grown Lebanese cucumbers. Excellent quality, however supplies are reduced due to the cooler weather, so market price is up. Telegraph cucumbers are becoming more expensive also
Lettuce – Supply and quality of baby spinach, roquette, mixed leaf and Iceberg is very good.
Potatoes – Very good quality for all varieties
Snowpeas / Sugarsnap – In punnets – excellent quality
Sweet potatoes – Good quality and value
Tomatoes – Good supplies of locally grown round tomatoes, Romas and Cherry tomatoes
Zucchini – Locally grown – very good quality
FRUIT
Apples – New season Pink Lady are arriving in the Market – fresh off the trees, crisp and juicy. We are also buying Kanzi and Granny Smith this week, which are excellent quality.
Avocados – We are buying Hass which are excellent quality and value
Bananas – Very good quality and value
Berries – All varieties are scarce and prices are up Quality is very good
Grapes – Crimson seedless grapes are nearing the end of their seasons – remain very good quality
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season has commenced. Excellent quality for both green and gold varieties
Lemons and Limes – Supplies of Lemons and Limes are very good
Mandarins – QLD Imperials have finished, and South Australian Imperials are just starting out. They should be good this week
Oranges – Navels have started and are very good
Passionfruit – Quality and value are very good
Pears – New season Packam pears are excellent
Pineapples – Quality is very good, however market supply is limited and Market prices remain high
Rockmelons – Remain quite scarce. Market prices are up
Stonefruit – Season for Peaches, Plums and Nectarines is over
Strawberries – Queensland season has commenced. Quality is very good and price should hopefully come down over the next few weeks. The best way to extend the life of berries is to remove them from their punnet and place on paper towel in the fridge. Only wash them just prior to eating.
Watermelon – New season has commenced. Quality is very good
When unpacking your produce, it should be handled as carefully as possible to minimise damage and bruising. Vegetables will store best in plastic bags or tupperware to prevent them from drying out in the fridge – especially for carrots and broccoli. Most fruits will generally stay fresher in the fridge. To maximise flavour, tomatoes should not be refrigerated