GOING BANANAS

FRESH FACT:  Bananas (much like money) do NOT grow on trees. Related to the lily and orchid, the banana plant is actually a giant herb that produces edible fruit, known to reach 9m in height, it is the world’s largest perennial plant without a woody stem.

 

The banana is one of the most well known and easily recognisable fruits in Australia- we even have a really big one as a landmark up near Coffs Harbour. It’s not hard to understand why we’re so enamoured with the fruit, it is a healthy snack that is convenient to eat, tasty and affordable. But how can this everyday favourite dessert style fruit translate onto the menu? Today we’re taking a broader look at bananas, going beyond the dessert fruit to banana products that are lesser known yet, valuable in the kitchen. As an overgrown herb, the banana plant itself deserves some attention as the blossoms and leaves have their own unique flavour, character and purpose. Or for something different, why not include plantain (or cooking bananas) on the menu, found in Cuban, Caribbean cuisine they are a fabulous alternative to root vegetables being both versatile and interesting.

 

PLANTAIN BANANAS: aka Cooking Bananas

Image: www.specialtyproduce.com

Availability: all year

Use: used as a vegetable, popular in Caribbean, Mexican and Asian cuisine

Appearance: firm fruit with a thick green skin, they are longer and fatter than sweet bananas (Cavendish etc) .

Flavour: less sugar, more starch- these bananas boast a taste and texture somewhat similar to a potato, getting sweeter as they ripen

Preparation: must be cooked- can be fried, boiled, baked, pickled, sautéed, mashed and stewed

 

BANANA BUD/BELL/BLOSSOM:

www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Use: the banana heart within the bud can be prepared like a vegetable and adds wonderful texture to dishes

Appearance: unopened, crimson red-purple bud

Flavour: rich, creamy, nutty flavour, however the stamens of the flowers inside can lend it a sharp/bitter edge

Preparation: once cut drizzle use lemon/lime mix to prevent discolouration. To soften the sometimes astringent edge, the heart is often soaked/steamed before use- then grilled, chopped into salads

 

BANANA ARMS:

image: www.uq.edu.au

Availability: all year- please note there is a minimum 7 day turnaround for orders of banana arms

Use: highly ornamental

Appearance: green dessert bananas still attached to the

Flavour: the bananas on the arm are Cavendish, therefore dessert bananas

 

LADYFINGER BANANAS: aka sugar bananas

Image: wwww.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Use: dessert banana

Appearance: short banana with a very thin skin

Flavour: very sweet

Preparation: eat fresh or sliced into desserts, salads etc

 

BANANA LEAVES:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

Available: all year

Appearance: bright green, ridged leaves

Use: ornamental or wrapping food into a parcel that is to be grilled, steamed, boiled

Flavour: not eaten but lend a flavour to the food they wrap/contain

Preparation: pass over a flame (heat source) before using as a wrap as this will make them more hardy and prevent them from tearing.

INSPIRED PRODUCE:

Grilled chicken and banana flower salad via SBS Food – see full recipe here

Image: SBS Food

BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 30th Oct- 5th Nov

ASIAN VEGETABLES:

Not Available: Luffas * Sin Que * Tamarind

Short Supply: Kachay * Water Spinach

 

EXOTIC FRUITS:

Short Supply: Figs

Not Available: Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Custard Apple * Fuji Fruit * Guava (cooking) * Juju Fruit * Kaffir Limes * Persimmon * Rambutan *  Tamarillo (gold) * Tangellos * Winter Melon


BUYER'S GUIDE: 30th Oct - 5th Nov

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Granny Smith & Delicious Apples, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, USA Grapes, NZ Kiwifruit, Honey Murcott Mandarins, Mangos, Navel Oranges, Paw paw, Red Papaya, Pineapples, Rockmelons, Strawberries, Seedless & Champagne Watermelons

The Watch List: Figs (Price) Limes (Price) Passionfruit (Price)

Market Insights: It is a good week for fruit. New season Stone fruit has commenced and with rather solid supplies. Apricots, Cherries, Plums from SA. Peaches, Nectarines from NSW. Also commencing week are the Exotics: NT Dragonfruit, NT Carambola, NT Mangosteens, QLD Lychees and Imported Red Pomelo. There are no real shorts, just the 3 on the watch list due to price. 

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Globe Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans, Broad Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, All Capsicums, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celery, Chicory, Lebanese Cucumbers, Edible Flowers & Zucchini Flowers, Eggplant, Aussie Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, All Lettuce, Mushrooms, Green Peas, Salad Mixes, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Pumpkin.  

The Watch List: All Clear! 

Market Insights: Due to the recent good weather all vegetables are in the clear. For something different this week- Baby Globe Artichokes, Purple Asparagus, Micro Herbs, Baby Gold Beetroot, Baby Vine Sweet Capsicums and Butter Beans

BEST BUYS:

Fruit:  Blueberries (NSW) * Mangoes (NT) * Papaya (QLD) * Pineapple (QLD) * Seedless Watermelon (QLD)

Vegetable: Asparagus - medium (VIC) * Broccoli (NSW) * Cauliflower (NSW) * Green Beans (QLD) * Mesclun Lettuce (VIC)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: New Season Apricots (SA) * Champagne Melons (NT) * Australian Cherries (SA) *  Dragonfruit (NT) * Lychee (QLD) * Mangosteen (IMP) * New Season Plums (SA) * Pomellos (IMP) * Starfruit aka carambola (NT)

Vegetable: Purple Asparagus (VIC)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Not Available: Guava- cooking

End of Season: Black Salsify * Horseradish

Short Supply: Yellow Zucchini

Expensive: Passionfruit


Exotic Mushrooms

FRESH FACT: The oyster mushroom is used widely in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Indian cooking and is often considered to be an ‘Asian mushroom’, in actual fact however the fungus was first cultivated in Germany (circa 1917) as a subsistence measure after WW1. Since this time, oyster mushrooms have gone on to become one of the world’s most important mushroom crops.

Mushrooms have been a prized food for thousands of years. Today we wanted to showcase the mushroom varieties- used widely in Asian cuisine- that are now enjoying broader culinary use and a growing popularity in Australia. Thanks to modern farming techniques, many of these varieties are now cultivated on our shores and with their unique flavour, texture and appearance they are an ideal complement to the lighter, delicate flavours of the Spring/Summer months.

AVAILABILITY: exotic mushroom varieties are available in varying quantities year round in Australia- with domestic produce farmed in controlled conditions and imported produce on hand we experience few significant breaks in supply. Please note: due to the highly perishable nature of these items SG&S buy fresh from the markets based on demand, therefore notice (minimum 24-48 hours) is required for the exotic mushroom range- in particular Namenko and Chestnut Mushrooms.

 

ENOKI MUSHROOMS: aka Enok, Enokitake, Enokidake, Golden Needle, Golden, Snow Puff, Vel

Image: www.mushroomchef.com.au

Appearance: beige to off white, spaghetti like stems with a small cap on top (wild varieties are light brown and bigger)

Flavour: mild flavour and crisp texture

Preparation: enoki can be eaten raw or cooked (think Shabu Shabu- hot pot), trim base and prepare as desired, if cooking add just prior to serving

 

OYSTER MUSHROOMS: aka Abalone mushroom, Pleurote, Hiratake, Tree Oyster

Image: www.mushroomchef.com.au

Appearance: fan/shell shaped with prominent gills on the underside (reminiscent of an oyster)- range in colour from white, to yellow to pink

Flavour: delicate, subtly sweet and very versatile- velvety texture they absorbs surrounding flavours

Preparation: best after a flash in the pan– team with fish, white meats & noodles- avoid washing, wipe with a damp cloth & trim ends. Order as required, highly perishable

 

KING OYSTER: aka King Brown, King Trumpet, Trumpet Royale

Image: www.mushroomchef.com.au

Appearance: stout mushroom with a small flat cap (creamy-tan in colour)- giving it a trumpet like shape

Flavour: hearty mushroom flavour

Preparation: trim end of stem before use- cooked it reaches its true ‘almond’ flavour potential- retains its firm, meaty texture under heat

 

NAMENKO MUSHROOMS: aka Nameko mushrooms, butterscotch mushroom

Image: www.li-sunexoticmushrooms.com.au

Appearance: sticky looking mushroom with slender white stem and amber- yellow rounded cap

Flavour: slightly nutty flavour, silky texture

Preparation: essential in Japanese cuisine, often cooked in stir-fries and miso soup- alternatively sauté, grill or roast

 

SHIMEJI MUSHROOMS:

Appearance: cluster of bunched mushrooms with off-white stems and small brown-grey cap that get whiter as they mature

Flavour: when cooked they boast a mild, slightly nutty flavour with a firm yet tender texture

Preparation: cut stems off base before cooking- great in soups, stir-fries, sauces, casseroles, tempura

 

SHITAKI MUSHROOMS: aka Shiitake, Black Forest Mushroom, Brown Oak, Oriental Black

Image: www.mushroomchef.com.au

Appearance: broad umbrella cap ranging in colour from brown to black with light brown gills

Flavour: with a meaty texture and an aromatic, woody flavour this is a firm favourite

Preparation: remove stalk before cooking- pair with white meats, fish, pastas anything that wont overpower its distinctive, rich flavour. While too tough to eat, the stalks of shitake mushrooms lend a rich flavour to stocks/broths/soups.

 

WOOD EAR: aka Black Fungus, Ear Cloud

Image: www.mushroomchef.com.au

Appearance: grey-brown, shaped like an ear

Flavour: used mainly for their distinctive texture and ability to soak up neighbouring flavours

Preparation: available fresh, this is a favourite in Asian cuisine – think small pieces in soups, stir-fries and risottos

 

Market Insight- Pine Mushrooms, Ghost Mushrooms, Chestnuts and Pig Ear Mushrooms should be starting/becoming more consistent soon, we will keep you informed as to when they are available. For further information on mushroom varieties please visit our previous bulletins – Packed to the Gills and Into the Wild.

INSPIRED PRODUCE:

Dandelion, Melbourne- Tofu and mushroom pho with lily buds via Gourmet Traveller- see full recipe here

Image: www.gourmettraveller.com.au

 

 


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 23rd- 29th October

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

Luffas * Sin Que * Sugar Cane * Tamarind

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Gai Choy * Kachay * Water Spinach

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Figs * Juju Fruit * Mangosteen * Pomelos

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Custard Apple * Dragonfruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava (cooking) * Kaffir Limes * Loquats * Lychee * Persimmon * Pomelos- red * Rambutan *  Starfruit (Carambola) * Tamarillo (gold) * Tangellos * Winter Melon


BUYER'S GUIDE: 23rd - 29th October

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Granny Smith & Delicious Apples, NZ Hass Avocados, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, USA Grapes, Honeydew Melons, NZ Kiwifruit, Honey Murcott Mandarins, NT Mangoes, Nashi Pears, Navel Oranges, Paw Paw, Rockmelons, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Seedless, Long & Champagne Melons.

The Watch List: Limes (Price), “PASSIONFRUIT (PRICE)”

Market Insights: WA Hass Avocados starting to roll in, expecting good supplies from now until Xmas of both NZ and WA fruit. Look to Blueberries, USA Grapes, NZ Kiwifruit, Mandarins, NT Mangoes, Paw Paw, Honeydews, Rockmelons, Pineapples, Strawberries and all Watermelons for best buy this week. Good quality Peaches and Nectarines now in solid supply. Passionfruit hitting the outer limits pricewise, use sparingly, same applies to Limes. Looking for something different- Plantain Bananas, Beurre Bosc Pears, Pomegranates & Champagne Melons!

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Globe Artichokes, Aussie Asparagus, Beetroot, Broccoli, Red & Green Capsicums, Cauliflowers, Celery, Chicory, Chinese Melons, Choi sum, Kai Lan & Pak Choy, Lebanese Cucumbers, Edible Flowers & Zucchini Flowers, Eggplant, Endive, Aussie Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, All Lettuce, Button, Field & Portobello Mushrooms, Fresh Green Peas, Mesclun Salad, Baby Gourmet Spinach, Silverbeet, Gold Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Cherry Truss Tomatoes, Butternut & Halloween Pumpkin.      

The Watch List: Brussels Sprouts (Size and Price), Celeriac (Season ending), Sugar Snap Peas (Supply and Price)

Market Insights: Good supplies all round on the Vegie front this week. The picks- Asparagus, Broccoli, Red Capsicums, Cauliflowers, Chinese Green Leaf Veg, Lebanese Cucumbers, Edible Flowers & Zucchini Flowers, Eggplant, Fennel, Leeks, Cos Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Mesclun Mix, Gourmet Baby Spinach, Gold Squash,  Sweet Potatoes, Cherry Truss Tomatoes & Butternut Pumpkins. Something Different- Baby Globe Artichokes, Baby Gold Beetroot, Chicory, Micro Herbs, Kohlrabi & Fresh Soy Bean (Edamame).

BEST BUYS:

Fruit:  Mangoes (NT) * Red Grapes (IMP) * Rockmelon (QLD) * Seedless Watermelon (QLD) * Strawberries- large (WA)

Vegetable: Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Cauliflower (NSW) * Cherry Truss tomatoes (NSW) * Lebanese Cucumber (NSW) * Red Capsicum (QLD) 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Champagne Melon (NT) * Mangosteen (IMP) * Nectarine (NSW) * Peaches (NSW)  

Vegetable: Edible Flowers (VIC) * Finger Fennel (NSW) * Halloween Pumpkin (NSW) * Micro-herbs (VIC) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Purple Carrot (NSW) 

NOT THIS WEEK:

Not Available: Guava- cooking

End of Season: Black Salsify

Short Supply: Starfruit (Carambola) * Sugarsnap Peas ($$$) * Yellow Zucchini

Expensive: Passionfruit


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 16th - 22nd October

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

Lotus Root * Sugar Cane * Tamarind

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Gai Choy * Kachay * Luffas * Water Spinach

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Cumquats * Dragonfruit * Figs * Loquats

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Fuji Fruit * Guava (cooking) * Kaffir Limes * Lychee * Mangosteen * Persimmon * Pomelos * Rambutan *  Starfruit (Carambola) * Tamarillo (gold) * Winter Melon


BUYER'S GUIDE: 16th - 22nd October

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Granny Smith and Delicious Apples, NZ Hass Avocados, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, IMP Grapes, NZ Kiwifruit, SA Mandarins, Mangoes, All Pears, Navel Oranges, Paw Paw, Rockmelons, Rhubarb, WA Strawberries, Long, Seedless & Champagne Melons.

 

The Watch List: Limes (Price), “PASSIONFRUIT (PRICE)”, Starfruit (NA).

 

Market Insights: Clear across the board with Fruit. Quality is good, solid supplies on market with plenty to choose from. Stone fruit: Good quality eating peaches and NT mangoes now available. Early nectarines are on market- lacking flavour, appearance and limited shelf-life. The right product will be available in 4 weeks. Seedless, Long and Champagne Melons are in good supply and priced to suit. Beware- good quality passionfruit is expensive and limited in supply. 

 

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Aussie Asparagus, NSW Artichokes, Green Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Celery, Chicory, Lebanese & Continental Cucumbers, Edible Flowers, Eggplant, Fresh Herbs, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leeks, All Lettuce, Fresh Green Peas, Salad Mixes, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Gold Squash, Swedes, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes,  Tomatoes (At Last), Zucchini, Onions 

The Watch List: Brussels Sprouts (Price & Size-slightly on the larger side), Bird Eye Chilli (Price), Lotus Root & Cooking Guava (Season Ending). Kaffa Limes (Supply)

Market Insights: At last we see tomatoes come back into the fold! Quality is good with prices expecting to drift back over the coming weeks. Red & Green capsicums are off their highs and will settle down as the week draws on. Caulies & Broccoli, no problem with supply or quality, just an increase in demand nudging the price up slightly. All Lettuce, Green Beans, Carrots, Celery, Eggplant, Leeks, Mushrooms, Salad Mixes, Sweet Potatoes and Green Zucchini are in the good buying zone for the week.  And pumpkin is on the back foot, pricing is coming off their recent highs. Halloween Pumpkins now available!!

 

BEST BUYS:

Fruit:  Blueberries (NSW) * Mangoes (NT) * Paw Paw (QLD) * Rhubarb (NSW) * Watermelon- seedless (QLD)

Vegetable: Cos Lettuce - large (NSW) * Green Beans (QLD) * Potatoes- washed large (QLD) * Tomatoes- small (QLD) * Zucchini- green (QLD)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Blood Lime (NSW) * Champagne Melon (NT) * Peaches (NSW)  

Vegetable: Baby Gold Beetroot (NSW) * Finger Fennel (NSW) * Green Peas- fresh (QLD) * Halloween Pumpkin (NSW) * Purple Jester Potato (TAS) * Soya Beans- fresh (New Season- QLD) * White Asparagus (New Season- VIC)   

NOT THIS WEEK:

Not Available: Guava- cooking * Starfruit (Carambola) * Lotus Root

End of Season: Pomello

Short Supply: Kaffir Limes

Expensive: Passionfruit


FRESH FLAVOURS FROM THE MARKETS

Q: Stephanie Alexander says she can’t a few days without cooking one, but what is a mad apple?

October is the time of year when we start to get quietly excited about the ‘different’ produce lines showing up at that markets. Beyond the New Season Australian white asparagus (just in and exceptional quality), Halloween Pumpkins (ready for carving) and the new season NSW/VIC peaches gracing the quote this week, we wanted to showcase the fresh flavours of some lesser known, quiet achievers of Spring produce. There is a short seasonal window for most of these lines, so why not spring into action and make the most of their unique flavour, texture and aesthetic.

CHAMPAGNE MELON: aka Orange watermelon

Buyer Update: season predicted to last 8 weeks- supply good, quality good & price very reasonable

Availability: sporadic, usually late Spring to early Summer

Appearance:  light green skin with darker stripes and golden flesh

Flavour:  mild and sweet, less sweet than regular watermelon

Selection: look for symmetry and a heaviness compared to size

Preparation: same as regular watermelon – fresh or great in cocktails, juices, sorbets, even salads

Nutrition: pure hydration being 90% water, orange watermelons are high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene

 

BELL APPLES: aka water apple, water cherry, rose apple

Buyer Update: quality andsupply are both good, price reasonable- season is fairly short lasting for around 3-4 more weeks

Availability: Sept – end Nov

Appearance: bell shaped fruit with white-red waxy skin. The flesh iscrunchy, juicy and varies in colour

Flavour: Flesh is crisp, sweet, watery and mild in taste – reminiscent of watermelon

Selection: look for a light sheen and firm fruit

Preparation: fruit is often served cored and uncut for aesthetic purposes. Frequently used in salads but can be lightly sautéed

Nutrition: high water content so refreshing and hydrating.

 

SOYA BEANS: aka Soybean

Buyer Update: available but not in big quantities so there will be weeks when not available, expecting full supply this December- quality good & prices reasonable

Availability: very short – late Spring/Summer

Appearance: smallgreen furry pod with 2-3 small green beans inside

Flavour: delicious, fresh bean flavour- some people say they taste part bean, part pea

Selection: look for relatively crisp beans free that are from blemishes

Preparation: must be cooked with ‘wet’ heat to be edible to humans- as Edamame with oil, chilli and salt or perhaps a soy hummus?

Nutrition: a complete source of protein these are considered meat for vegetarians. Very good source of fibre, calcium and magnesium

 

SEEDLESS EGGPLANT: aka Aubergine

Buyer Update: - local (NSW) fruit in full swing with supply plentiful- grown in a glasshouse it looks great, quality is very good & prices reasonable

Availability: Spring – Summer (approx. Sept- Feb)

Appearance: small- med sized fruit is slightly elongated, whereas the bigger fruit is a fuller eggplant shape. Firm, white flesh free of seeds

Flavour: eggplant without the bitter seeds, mild and tender with a consistent texture

Selection: look for firm fruit, heavy for its size with dark and shiny skin and a fresh green stalk

Preparation: seedless eggplant is not as bitter therefore shouldn’t require degorging, they also have a longer shelf life

Nutrition: good source of dietary fibre, with some Vitamin C and potassium

 

MULBERRIES:

Buyer Update: currentlyin season- supply, quality & prices all good and steady

Availability: fairly short season- end August – end October

Appearance: there are multiple varieties (white, red and black) but the best eating is the black mulberry which looks similar to a blackberry but is larger, more oval in shape and usually comes attached to the stem

Flavour: aromatic fruit that melts in your mouth- sweet with slight acid taste

Selection: look for intensely coloured, plump  fruit- deteriorate quickly

Preparation: beautiful fresh, in jams, cocktails, sorbets, desserts – just beware of staining

Nutrition: rich source of anti-oxidants, good source of magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, iron, calcium, vitamin C and fibre

 

AUSTRALIAN GROWN - GARLIC BRAIDS/BUNCHES:

We have added Australian Grown garlic braids and bunches to our Spring product range this year. While a little more expensive, the flavour and quality is excellent.

Buyer Update: in season- not in excessive supply, quality good

A: Believe it or not 'mad apple' was once a common name for the eggplant in Europe. The nightshade family were feared when first introduced to Europe in the 1500s with both the tomato and the eggplant considered suspicious and in some measure toxic. Louis XIV (French King in the 1600s) was the first in France to plant eggplant in his garden, a bold move considering the plant was believed to cause epilepsy and described by one author as a "fruit(s) as large as pears, but with bad qualities." The modern Greek and the Italian names for eggplant allude to this controversial past, both deriving from the Latin mala insana- meaning apple of madness or mad apple.

 


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 9th - 15th Oct

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Gai Choy * Kachay * Luffas * Tamarind * Water Spinach

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Kaffir Limes * Pomelos

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Lychee * Persimmon * Rambutan *  Starfuit (Carambola) * Tamarillo (gold)