A Better Choice For Freshness

From succulent mangoes to crunchy leafy greens, there is plenty of great value fresh fruit and vegetables available at your local fruit and veg shop this week.

Bite into ripe and juicy mango flesh for a burst of tropical flavour. Kensington Pride mangoes from Katherine are eating magnificently. Although rain and wind have affected the volume of mangoes arriving from Darwin, however, the quality remains excellent.

Supplies of blueberries continue to impress providing good value whereas strawberry season is now shifting to Victoria as the Queensland season is tapering off. New-season white and yellow-fleshed nectarines and peaches are arriving from Central Queensland and New South Wales. Available at your local fruit and veg shop, the stone fruit is eating beautifully. Expect prices to decrease in the coming weeks. 

Refreshing and sweet rockmelons from North Queensland are great value this week with small to medium sizes available at your local fruit and veg shop. For a sublime experience, eat rockmelons when the flesh is a little firm, not soft. 

For a pick-me-up snack, try creamy Cavendish bananas loaded with nutrients. Pair them up with peanut butter and oats to make smoothies or create protein bars. Lemons, raspberries and passionfruit are limited, so get them quick. Hass avocadoes are priced at a premium, and mandarins are nearing the end of the season. 

Oranges, apples, pears, pawpaw, watermelon and golden-fleshed pineapples are all well supplied and calling out for delicious fruit salads. We have been excited to see the first appearance of lychees in-store from Mareeba – usually available in late spring through to summer. 

Several veggies are fantastic buying this week including our spring favourite asparagus, celery, rhubarb, Dutch carrots and Iceberg lettuce. Mushroom volumes are stable and prices steady. It is also a good week for broccoli and cauliflower, toss them together in a baking dish with new season garlic, parmesan and olive oil for a quick and healthy side dish. 

Keep an eye out for red washed potatoes from South Australia. With thin red skin and white flesh, these potatoes are flavourful and versatile. They are super delicious in salads and creamy homemade gnocchi. Other must-haves in your shopping basket include eggplants, baby broccoli, capsicum and zucchini. 

Beans are good and plentiful. Leafy greens including spinach, kale, rocket, coriander, mint and parsley are fabulous quality. You can’t go wrong with some fresh corn and cherry tomatoes from Bowen, grilled on the barbecue as part of a great outdoor meal. If carving out pumpkin is on your to-do list this Halloween, then visit your local fruit and veg shop quick, as Halloween pumpkins are in limited supply. 

This week’s top pick is the ultimate refreshing crunchy Lebanese cucumber from northern New South Wales. Look for firm, dark green cucumbers without blemishes or soft spots and store it in the crisper section of the fridge. Cucumbers are versatile due to their mild flavour. Make them the star in salads, dips, sandwiches or cocktails.

– Produce report supplied by Brismark

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