Aug 26 In Season at the Market

Buying and eating in season produce is good for your nutrition and helps the economy, our seasonal updates are here to lend a hand.

Let us inspire you with just a few of the fresh, locally grown produce now in season at the South Australia Produce Market that you will find at your local fruit and veg store.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes have a distinct characteristic of clefts and scars on them and this scarring is called catfacing.  This scarring is perfectly safe to eat and there are several causes which cause catfacing but the most common being exposure to cool temperatures during pollination. Heirloom tomatoes come in many different colours – red, pink, orange, yellow, white, green, purple, almost black and even streaked and stripped tomatoes too!  Heirloom tomatoes are known for their thin, tender skin and juicy flesh which are great to be used for tomato salad with Mozzarella and basil, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.  Enjoy!

 

Hass Avocados

New season Hass avocados are coming through the market which have been locally grown in the Riverland.  Hass avo’s are a popular variety known for their creamy texture and rich flavour and they have a distinctive pebbly skin that starts off green and turns dark purple to almost black as they ripen. They’re great for making guacamole, spreading on toast, adding to salads, smoothies and so much more.  The health benefits of avocados are that even though they are high in fat, 60% of this is monounsaturated fats, which research suggests helps to protect against heart disease and lower blood pressure. They are also an excellent source of potassium, folate and fibre so pop these healthy Hass avo’s in your shopping basket for the whole family to enjoy.

Cabbage

Cabbage season runs through the winter months in Australia, with the peak season typically occurring between April and August. Although cabbage appears more of a winter vegetable, which explains why it is used in lots of hearty dishes and stews it is also great sauteed, steamed, stir fried or boiled.  Cabbage also makes fantastic salads, like coleslaw (of course) and excellent for Malfouf salad which is a delicious Lebanese cabbage salad with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil which you can add mint or spring onions to for added zing.  Be sure to add this versatile vegetable to your shopping basket for your weekly meals.

Swiss Brown Mushrooms

Although Swiss Brown mushrooms are small, they are one of the heartiest mushroom varieties with the most robust umami flavour. With their darker colour and earthiness, Swiss Browns bring a delicious rustic quality to dishes. These brown mushrooms hold a little less water than their white cousins, which is why they have a firmer texture and retain their shape during the cooking process. Don’t think Swiss Browns are only for winter dishes, these little flavour dynamos are great in stir-fries, pasta, risotto’s and are amazing skewered on the BBQ too.

 

You’ll find the best produce inside your local independent fruit & veg stores. Locate your closest store here.And don’t forget to check out Pick a Local, Pick SA Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts.