BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 31st Jul - 6th Aug
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Dragonfruit * Guava- cooking
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 31st Jul - 6th Aug
The overall market is in winter mode and will hold like this for the next few weeksThis will change once the weather warms up in QLD, which is usually around August.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Ones to watch out for are the melons: Water, Seedless, Rocks & Honeydew. We will see a change by week's end as the NT season kicks in and supply increases however price is expected to remain in the 'high' zone
- Bananas are up slightly due to the cold temp up North
- Local grapes are on the way out- Seeded Black still good buying, Seedless Red & White are now New Season Imported USA fruit
- Citrus is in full swing- Lemon and Limes slightly up, Blood Oranges, Ruby Grapefruit and Oranges- great quality, good eating and priced to suit
VEG: Market Overview
- The cooler temperatures up North are slowing supply on the following lines this week and prices are up; Beans, Green Capsicums, Lebanese Cucumbers, Celery, all Pumpkin, all Tomatoes (ripened fruit hard to source) and Zucchini.
- Picks for the week: Beetroot, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Celeriac, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Silverbeet and Spuds.
- Also most gourmet salad lines are back to normal supply and price
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Grapes - black seeded (VIC) * Ruby Grapefruit (QLD) * Kiwifruit (NZ) * Mandarins (QLD) * Persimmon (Imp- NZ)
Vegetable: Baby Fennel- bulb (NSW) * Brussel Sprouts (NSW) * Celeriac (VIC) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Sugarsnap Peas (Imp)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Grapes- green seedless (Imp- USA) * Green Mangoes (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Beans (QLD) * Choi Sum (NSW) * Jicama aka Water Chestnut (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Banana Capsicum (QLD) * Shimeji Mushroom (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter Bean - yellow * Guava- cooking
Expensive: Honeydew (expensive) * Rockmelon (expensive)
End of Season: Quince
Not Available: Chestnut Mushroom * Baby Ginger
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 24th Jul -30th Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Fuji Fruit * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomellos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 24th Jul - 30th Jul
With the market as erratic as the recent weather along the Eastern Seaboard, here is our guide to produce for this week:
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears have stepped up in price, quality and supply no problems.
- Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons all travelling well, limes holding, Mandarins have firmed due to changing varieties and weather.
- Bananas are affected due to cold nights and wet weather in QLD. Sizing is medium to large.
- Rockmelons & Honeydews are still in short supply and up in price for quality.
- QLD Strawberries have been affected by the weather. Supplies holding with some quality issues.
- All Pineapples have been severely affected due the cold and wet weather, will be the same for the next few weeks.
- Kiwifruits, Pawpaw & Papaya are good eating, well supplied and priced to suit.
- USA cherries excellent quality and good buying
- Figs are in short supply and expensive
- For something different, Cumquats and Buddha hands
- Dried Muscatels are at the end of the season NA
VEG: Market Overview
- Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Iceberg & Cos on the buy list for the week. Quality and price, good to go!
- Gourmet salads, Spinach, Rocket & Mesclun still on the watch list for the next few weeks. Supply limited and quality is ok, prices holding.
- Green & Butter Beans are on the short list, quality is a problem.
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to cold snaps and rain, will remain short for the next couple of weeks.
- All pumpkin varieties on the increase.
- All Spuds are in full swing- good buying and great quality.
- Something Different- Broad & Borletti beans & Fennel!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blood Oranges (QLD) *Cherries (Imp- US) * Corella Pears (VIC) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Paw Paw - yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Broccoli (QLD) * Cauliflower (QLD) * Fennel Bulb- large (VIC) * Iceberg Lettuce (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Carambola- aka Starfruit (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Dragon Fruit- yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Broad Beans (NSW) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Radicchio Lettuce (NSW) * Russet Burbank Potatoes (TAS)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushrooms * Pineapple (expensive) * Rockmelon
Not Available: Asparagus - jumbo * Butter Bean - yellow * Muscatel Grapes - dried
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 17th Jul - 23rd Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Pomellos- red * Tamarillo (gold)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17th Jul - 23rd Jul
Due to extreme weather patterns over the last 6-8 weeks many lines of fresh produce have been heavily affected. The wet weather experienced before winter delayed plantings, this was followed by extended cool nights, frosts and then more heavy rain.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears will be unaffected due to the majority of fruit coming out of cold storage
- Citrus fruits (incl. Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons) are unaffected, yet limes will be firm. Mandarins will be firm due to changing varieties more so than weather
- Avocados and Bananas are affected mostly due to the cold nights rather than the wet . Sizing will remain small and skin dull in colour
- Melons are adversely affected due to the cold nights and rain. NT Honeydew and Rocks are due to start at the end of this week- 19/20 July
- Strawberries have been affected, quality concerns expect
- Pineapples and Bethonga have been severely affected due to lack of sun, cold weather, rain and the inability of growers to pick. Pineapples will be extremely short supply for the next 2-3 weeks
- Blueberries and raspberries are also affected and will remain expensive for the next couple of weeks
VEG: Market Overview
- Wet lines such as iceberg, Cos and celery should be ok. Broccoli has shortened mainly due to the cold. Cauliflowers will have issues
- Salad lines have been severely affected. Rocket is very difficult to get, and Mesclun and baby Spinach have increased in price. These lines will be short for the next 2-3 weeks
- Capsicum have been affected- reds and yellows will have some quality issues. Pricing is stable
- All cabbage lines have been affected due to the inability for farmers to get to the fields to pick. Prices will rise sharply but not for long.
- Beans and Corn have issues in quality and supply. Good beans will be scarce and expensive. Due to the rains, corn hasn’t been sprayed and we are expected to find grubs
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to the cold and rain and will remain short for the next couple of weeks
- Cucumbers are good and have not suffered much
- All pumpkin varieties have been affected, especially Jap and Butternut. Theses lines will be in short supply for 3-4 more weeks
- Snow peas and snaps have been affected but pricing remains reasonable
- All Chinese vegetables have been adversely affected. There is planting gaps from previous rain falls. Short supply is another issue.
- Fancy lettuces are smaller in size and in short supply
- Herbs – Basil , chives , mint have been affected but these lines are quick to recover
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Oranges - large (QLD) * Panama Passionfruit (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Celery (VIC) * Parsnip * Telegraph Cucumber (SA) * Russett Burbank Potato (TAS)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Cherries (Imp-US) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Green Mangoes (NT) * Pomello (QLD) * Red Papaya (QLD) * Tamarillo - red (WA)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC)
Other: Black Truffles (WA- New Season)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter bean- yellow * Chestnut Mushrooms
Short Supply & Expensive: Mesclun Lettuce * Pineapple * Wild Rocket
Expensive: Rockmelon
A TOUCH OF FROST:
Q: Do any produce lines perform better after a frost?
While the recent cold spell and its resulting frosts are producing magnificent black truffles this year, they have had a slightly less desirable affect on the leaf line crops grown along the Eastern Seaboard. The impact of the cold weather is evident in the shorter shelf life and diminished appearance of fresh leaves, as well as smaller size heads/bunches due to stunted growth and farmers trimming frost damaged outer-leaves.
While all coloured lettuce lines are under pressure, Rocket, Mesclun and Baby Cos have really felt the cold and are not up to their usual standard. Stock will be available over the coming weeks, however premium quality gear will be thin on the ground. It’s not all doom and gloom however, some leaf lines are holding up better than others and our bulletin today highlights varieties that are still performing consistently, if not at peak quality. Over the coming weeks, our recommendation for leaf lines is to buy small amounts regularly and in the case of mesclun- make your own mix from individual products (such as Red Mignonette, Red Oak, Cos, Treviso, Green Oak) as this will help ensure a consistently high standard for all varieties of leaf.
COS LETTUCE: aka Romaine
Supply/Performance: Baby Cos unfortunately is feeling the cold, however full size Cos is still available and holding up well
Appearance: cylindrical, head with tightly folded leaves that are light green towards the stalk and mid-dark green at the edges
Flavour: coarser than iceberg with a sweet taste and crisp texture
Best for: sub for baby cos, though not as sweet
GREEN OAK:
Supply/Performance: currently available and consistent quality
Appearance: small head of tender, green leaves (shaped like oakleafs)
Flavour: sweet, mild flavour
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
ENDIVE:
Supply/Performance: currently in good supply and sound quality
Appearance: rosette of curly light-medium green leaves with serrated edges
Flavour: bitter edge
Best for: subbing for rocket
RADICCHIO:
Supply/Performance: hardier than true lettuce lines, this chicory relative is currently in good supply and sound quality
Appearance: deep red leaves striped by thick white veins
Flavour: slightly bitter with firm leaves
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix, sub for rocket ( bitter leaves) as it can be grilled, fried or used fresh
TREVISO:
Supply/Performance: a winter variety of radicchio this is currently in good supply and sound quality (Peak Season: May-Sept)
Appearance: elongated version of radicchio – similar in shape to cos
Flavour: slightly bitter though milder than other radicchio varieties
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix, sub for rocket ( bitter leaves) as good fresh/cooked
RED OAK:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: small head of tender, red leaves (shaped like an oakleaf) on a green stalk
Flavour: mild, sweet
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
RED CORAL:
Supply/Performance: While green coral isn’t consistent at the moment, red coral is performing quite well albeit noticeably smaller in size
Appearance: loose, wavy leaves that have green stem and dark red leaves
Flavour: mild, delicate sweetness with a slightly bitter edge
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
RED MIGNONETTE:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: crisp, curled purple-red leaves on a green stalk
Flavour: slightly tart
Best for: salads, sandwiches and garnishes
WHITE WITLOF: aka Belgian Endive, chicory
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality – peak season
Appearance: tightly packed leaves that form a white spear with yellow tips
Flavour: crisp, bitter leaves
Best for: soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta, risotto, salads
RED WITLOF:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: tightly packed leaves that form a white spear with red tips
Flavour: sharp, slightly bitter taste- crisp leaves
Best for: soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta, risotto, salads
A: Absolutely. In addition to truffles (which rely on frosts to develop their unique fragrance), there are a number of other produce lines that reap the benefits of a good cold spell or frost. Carrots and beets (including baby versions) tend to stay underground longer in the cold and as a result are amazingly sweet when harvested. Cabbage lines (kale, brussel sprouts, collard greens) are also cold weather specialists perfect for soups, risottos, pastas or a ‘mixed greens’ side.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 10th Jul-16th Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Longan * Tamarillo (gold)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Loquats * Lychee * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 10th Jul - 16th Jul
Another fun week at the farm!
Rockmelons, Honeydews and Pineapples are in short supply and up in price. The NT season gets underway this week so Rocks and Honeys should come back in to play mid-late next week, whereas Pines look like they will sit here for the next few weeks. On the Vegies side, Zucchini and Beans are short supply and expensive.
The QLD season is well under way and as of today the market is fully supplied with Capsicums, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Avocadoes, Mandarins and Sweet Potatoes. Beans and Sweet Corn will follow as of next week.
Stick with the Picks!
Market: at a glance
Fruit: Apples, Citrus, Avocados, Ruby Grapefruit, NZ Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Blood Oranges, IMP Mangoes and Cherries, Pawpaw & Papaya, Panama Passion and WA Tamarillo’s. Grapes, good without being great. White Seedless- FORGET IT! USA here in 2 weeks.
Veg: Artichokes, Beetroot, All Cabbage, Red & Green Caps, Celeriac, Eggplant, Cos Lettuce, Asian Veg, Silverbeet, Sweet Corn, Large Red & Brown Onions & plenty of Heirloom Tomatoes this week!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blood Orange * Cherries (Imp- USA) * Green Papaya - cooking (QLD) * Mandarin (QLD) * Panama Passionfruit (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Desiree - chat potatoes (SA) * Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW) * Sweetcorn (QLD) * Telegraph Cucumber (SA)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Bananas - cooking (QLD) * Banana Leaves (QLD) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Drinking Coconut (Imp) * Feijoas (QLD) * Green Mangoes (NT) * Persimmon (New Season - NZ Imp) * Tamarillos - red (WA)
Vegetable: Red Witlof (VIC)
Other: Black Truffles (WA- New Season)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushrooms * Chives * Pencil Leeks
Expensive: Pineapples * Rockmelon * Yellow Squash
MARKET 5: Spanish Cuisine
Q: How did the Spanish navy influence Spanish cuisine?
At this time of year there really is nothing like indulging in the rich, earthy flavours of Spanish food (and a glass or two of sangria) to keep the winter chills at bay. Inspired by the Spanish tradition of preparing simple, seasonal food (and a Euro 2012 win), this week we have produced our ‘Market 5’ guide to the best performing (and buying) produce at the Sydney Markets for bringing an authentic, Spanish twist to your menu.
PIMENTOS: aka Peppers, Capsicums, Chillies
Peppers (or pimentos in Spanish) play a key role in Spanish cuisine. The markets at the moment are full of peppers (both capsicums and chillies) that are crisp, vibrant and full of flavour making them an easy choice for the ‘Market Five’. We have chosen to profile the habanero chilli, however for more information on the varieties of ‘pepper’ available and their unique characteristics, please click here.
1. Habanero Chilli
Availability: all year – best Nov – Mar
Appearance: look like a small bell pepper that has had the air sucked out
Flavour: very hot and spicy, with a hint of citrus. Average between 100,000 and 350,000 on the Scoville scale depending on growing conditions
Best For: a very angry tomato sauce, spicy salsa
TOMATOES:
Originally imported from Mexico, tomatoes were believed to be unfit for consumption however they are now at the heart of many Spanish dishes, including Sofrito, Patatas bravas (crisp spiced potatoes), Pan con Tomate (tomato bread), Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) and Paella. Today we have featured the all purpose truss tomato, however to view a more comprehensive overview of Simon George & Sons varieties click here.
2. Truss tomatoes: (available in gourmet, cherry, baby roma, roma)
Availability: all year, best Dec - Feb
Appearance: rich, red fruit still attached to vine
Flavour: usually ripened on the vine, these have a wonderful rich flavour and are suitable for eating fresh and for cooking
Best for: suitable for eating fresh and cooked
POTATOES:
Potatoes are a key ingredient in a number of famous Spanish dishes, the most obvious being potato tortilla (Tortilla de Patata) and Patatas Bravas mentioned above. Most potato varieties are at their peak this time of year and all are currently performing well at the markets. For tortilla de patata and patatas bravas the potatoes are fried, therefore I would recommend using either an all-rounder or waxy variety, here I have featured Bintje. For a list of varieties under these headings click here.
3. Bintje:
Available: all year, best Nov- Aug
Appearance: small – medium elongated oval, with yellow skin (brown flecks) and cream white flesh
Flavour: our most popular waxy potato it is firm fleshed and creamy
Best for: any dish that requires the potato to be fried. A good cooking potato.
ORANGES:
Spain is the 6th largest producer of oranges in the world and with two orange varieties (Seville/Valencia) named after growing regions in Spain, it is safe to assume that this wonderful citrus contributes to their national food identity. Here I have featured two different orange varieties that sadly boast short seasons at the Sydney Markets but are wonderful while they are here.
4. Blood Oranges:
Available: late Jun – Aug (having just come into season they need a week to be at their best, but will be worth the wait)
Appearance: medium sized fruit boasting orange skin with a red blush and orange-red flesh
Flavour: sweet, juicy and less acidic that regular oranges
Best for: Sangria, they bring a wonderful colour and refreshing zest to this traditional Spanish wine
5. Seville Oranges:
Available: Jul- Aug
Appearance: medium sized fruit with thick, orange skin that is difficult to peel
Flavour: very acidic and therefore very tart
Best for: whilst often used in marmalades, the acid in Seville oranges makes them perfect for serving with particularly oily or fatty dishes. In Southern Spain they are also frequently served with fish dishes, such as salted cod, to bring out the flavours of the fish
A: Many of the dishes we know as being distinctively ‘Spanish’ came about as a result of the bold venturing of the Spanish navy, in particular the discoveries of Christopher Columbus. Of the ingredients listed above, all of which are considered synonymous with traditional Spanish food, none are actually native to Europe. It was the Spanish conquest (and colonisation) of the Americas, made possible by a thriving navy, that brought the wonders of peppers, tomatoes and potatoes into the Spanish diet. This ‘new world’ produce was adopted into the Spanish cuisine over time, resulting in native dishes renowned for their rich combination of Moorish spice and exotic flavours.