Loved ones like to get pampered and what better way to celebrate the day of love than with a home-cooked meal! The good news is that you are not going to be short of options as plentiful supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables are making their way to your local fruit and veg shop this week.
Apple varieties such as Pink Lady and Granny Smith are eating well. In pears, Williams’ season is well underway, their skin turns from green to yellow as they ripen. Amaze your special someone with breakfast in bed. Create sweet fig and ricotta French toast with gorgeous figs arriving from Bundaberg.
Lemons from Gin Gin, limes from Mareeba and Cavendish bananas from North Queensland, all are well supplied and continue to delight with their eating quality. Bursting with tropical goodness are well-supplied grapes from Victoria, rockmelon, watermelon from Chinchilla and pineapple from Maryborough. For a tasty treat, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make adorable kebabs with these fruits.
Strawberries are also a popular choice during Valentine’s Day and they usually come from Victoria at this time of the year, however, they are currently in short supply due to rain. You can opt for fresh, juicy, and succulent peaches, plums and nectarines that represent fabulous value at the moment, and all pair well with champagne.
Nothing makes an impression like exotic fruit and we’re noticing bumper supplies of dragon fruit (white variety) from Chinchilla. To eat, simply cut the fruit into two pieces and scoop out the pulp from the inside.
There are plenty of good options in vegetables this week, mostly coming from southern states, such as zucchini, eggplants, brussels sprouts, celery, baby broccoli and carrots. There is a mixed supply of broccoli and cauliflower from Victoria and Gatton – both of which represent good quality.
This week we’ve seen a glut of tomatoes particularly cherry, gourmet and truss varieties that are great eating. Use the summer tomatoes to stock up on pasta sauces, jams or chutney. Back on the shelves are Victorian grown asparagus. This late-season flush won’t last long so grab those green spears while you can. For a delicious dinner, cook pan-fried gnocchi with asparagus and miso dressing. Crunchy capsicums from Granite Belt region are plentiful, well priced and good quality as are sweet potatoes, onions, green beans and pumpkins.
Elevate your salad game with well-supplied beetroot, Queensland-grown cucumbers and sweetcorn. Nutrient-dense leafy produce such as spinach, kale, bok choy and lettuce are also in good supply and make a great salad base.
This week’s top pick is the new season Royal Gala apple, with excellent supplies streaming in from Stanthorpe. Galas are crisp, healthy and jam-packed with fresh flavour in each bite. Pop them in lunchbox or muffins for salads and snacks. Choose firm fruit with smooth skin. Apples ripen quickly at room temperature, so once ripe store them in the fridge to maintain the crispiness.
– Produce report supplied by Brismark