Produce Report

This report brings you a summary of some of the fresh produce highlights for this month. We announce new seasonal varieties, special and unusual items and draw your attention to some great fresh produce eating experiences.

Our reports are drawn from first hand experience in the Markets early each morning, as well as from growers, wholesalers and retailers involved in the industry around the country. For detailed information on any of the items you can refer to our a-z produce guide. Also, don't forget to check our seasonal calendar for a full overview of the many items that are seasonally available through your local greengrocer and other independent retailers supplied through the markets.

Produce Report - January 2009

STONEFRUIT

Summer stone fruit is now in plentiful supply, a varied choice for the consumer includes:

Apricots are delicious when eaten fresh or they can be used in desserts, poached, stewed, or pureed in jams and chutneys.

Peaches are available white or yellow fleshed and are a good source of vitamins A, C and B3.
Plums are ideal addition to lunch boxes, they can also be used in hot and cold desserts, stewed, grilled, baked or sautéed, or in fruit salads and pies.

Nectarines new season white and yellow varieties are now at your local greengrocer.

LETTUCE

Cos, Iceberg, Butterhead, Loose Leaf, Rocket, and Metzuma are all popular varieties of lettuce to be utilized in all types of salads. They are all an excellent source of vitamin A, the darker the leaves, the more vitamin A and iron it contains. Lettuce is low in kilojoules, yet high in fibre. Check marketfresh.com.au for further details and summer salad ideas.

PASSIONFRUIT:

When selecting passionfruit, choose smooth fruit of a deep purple, yellow or red colour, depending on variety. Fruit should be heavy for its size. Two varieties are now available, Panama and Purple. Panama is a large fruit with a reddish coloured skin covered with beige specks. Purple is a smaller fruit and with the colouring being true to name.

PINEAPPLE

A favourite summer fruit, pineapples are a very good source of Vitamin C, with a 100g slice providing 75% of the Australian recommended daily allowance for this vitamin. Look for Rough Leafed Pineapples with the serrated edged leaves for a sweet pineapple taste sensation.

GRAPES

January is the optimum time to buy fresh new season Australian Grapes which are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fibre. Grapes also contain some Vitamin B6 and potassium. Check marketfresh.com.au for seasonal varieties.

LYCHEES

Australian grown lycees fresh from Mareeba, Queensland are available in three different varieties at present, including Fei Zi Su, Souey Tung and Tai So.

The unique flavour of the lychee can be enjoyed fresh or can be added to various dishes such as, Chinese meals, particularly Sweet and Sour combinations; serve with chicken or fish; add to either sweet of savoury salads; combine with other fruits and cheeses on a platter or simply serve with ice cream. Lychees can be eaten frozen, either peeled or still in their outer skins.