Sue Dodd, Sydney Markets retail support manager gives an overview of the fruit and vegetable offerings at Sydney market from March 7-13, and her recommendations on the best buys.
Punnets of small sized Victorian strawberries are delicious eating and a thrifty buy this week at $1 to $2. Larger strawberries will retail at $3 to $5 a punnet. Whip up a quick jar or two of microwave strawberry jam.
Curvaceous autumn figs are plump, fleshy and naturally sweet and only 80 cents to $2.50 each.
Sweet and creamy bananas are top value at $1.50 a kilogram to $3/kg.
Be sure to have a good supply of limes or lemons in the fruit bowl.
Both limes and lemons are plentiful. Limes are 60c to 80c each. Lemons are $3/kg to $7/kg, depending on size and quality.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy pears. Williams pears are $2/kg to $3/kg, the smaller Corella pears are $3/kg to $7/kg and Beurru Bosc pears are $2/kg to $4/kg.
Firm pears are ideal for finely slicing and adding to a salad. Use firm pears for poaching as they hold their shape better than ripe fruit, vitamise ripe pears with veggies for a health drink.
Although apples are available all year round, the harvesting of the principal varieties takes place from March to May.
Now is a great time to enjoy crunchy new season Fuji, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Delicious and Jonathon apples for $3/kg to $8/kg, depending on size and variety.
Naturally sweet, juicy and fun to eat, grapes are an autumn favourite. Depending on variety, grapes are $4/kg to $8/kg.
Don’t miss out on flavoursome plums, bursting with colour and flavour. Autumn Giant, Angelino, Tegan Blue and October Sun are all in season. Plums are selling for $3/kg to $7/kg, depending on variety.
Vegetables
Chestnuts season has started. Deliciously different from other nuts, chestnuts need to be cooked to be eaten. Expect to pay $6/kg to $15/kg.
Roma tomatoes prices dropped a little to $3/kg to $5/kg. These oval shaped tomatoes are firm, fleshy and have less seeds, making them ideal for serving with fresh crusty bread or team with pesto.
Aromatic basil is perfect for serving with ripe tomatoes. Consider whipping up a batch of fresh pesto to toss through your favourite pasta. You can pick up a bunch for $2 to $4, store it wrapped in damp paper in the crisper section of your refrigerator.
Versatile and mild flavoured zucchinis are perfect for adding to a frittata, rissoles and vegetable patties or add tender slices to pasta dishes. Zucchini’s are $3/kg to $5/kg, depending on size.
Freshly harvested sweetcorn from Sydney and Victoria is a top buy at 60 cents to $1 a cob.
Look for specials on Victorian grown asparagus. This autumn flash doesn’t last long so snap them up as bunches are only $2.50 to $3.50.
New season fennel has a delicate aniseed flavour and is selling for $2 to $2.50 a head.
Serve up a bowl of creamy, orange coloured mashed kumara (sweet potato). Kumara is a good value at $2/kg to $4/kg, depending on size.
Make the most of autumn watercress as the quality is excellent. Use leafy, vitamin C rich watercress raw in a salad or add to stir-fries. Watercress is good value at $2 to $3 a bunch.
Source: goodfruitandvegetables.com.au
