BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 5th June - 12th June
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Thai Basil * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Asian Plum * Cumquats * Green Mangoes * Lychee * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 5th June - 12th June
The overall quality on market has improved this week, with most items in good supply and very few shorts or items not available. Tomatoes and Strawberries still have some way to go before they are in their winter mode, however weather permitting this should be in the next week or two. Front runners 'fruit wise' is still the Apples, Pears and Citrus while 'veggie wise' it's Beans, Cauliflowers, Mushrooms & Spuds.
USA Cherries are now in full swing and price is easing weekly. We are stocking the larger Darker Cherry which is slightly more expensive but are the best eating and have the best visual appeal! Smaller fruit is available on request and the price is less.
Truffles: We are waiting for confirmation of our first arrival. The season is looking to be the best since the inception of Truffles Down-under.
Something New: “Samples Available on Request”
- Purple Jester Potatoes- deep purple inside and out
- Russet Burbank Potatoes- great for chipping
- Zebero’s Tomatoes- similar to Black Tigers, available by the punnet
- Heirloom Tomatoes- in good supply
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Orange- No 2 juicing (NSW) * Packham Pears - green (VIC) * Red Papaya (QLD) * Rockmelon (QLD)
Vegetable: Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Leek - large (TAS) * Potato -washed, large (SA) * Rhubarb (NSW) * Silverbeet (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Cherries (Imp- US) * Drinking Coconuts (IMP) * Golden Delicious Apples (VIC) * Honey Pears (VIC) * Red Pommello (QLD) * Strawberries - XL (QLD- New Season)
Vegetable: Asparagus - white (IMP) * Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW) * Mandarins - VIP (QLD) * Royal Blue Potato (TAS)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushroom * Yellow Butter Bean * Yellow Zucchini
Not Available: Blood Oranges * Purple Asparagus
PUMPKIN PATCH
Q: How did pumpkins become associated with Halloween?
While they may have started out as cattle-fodder, nowadays the pumpkin features widely in kitchens due to their versatility, shelf-life and cost-efficiency. To meet year-round demand pumpkins are grown in every state of Australia, however nigh on three quarters of the pumpkins consumed domestically are produced in NSW or QLD. In 2010 the Food Service industry accounted for around 17% of fresh pumpkin sales, that equates to a healthy 16,743 tonnes.
The fruit (or culinary vegetable) that Australian’s refer to as ‘pumpkins’ are actually a mix of pumpkins and winter squash from three different species of the Cucurbita genus: Cucurbita Maxima (Jarrahdale, Queensland Blue, Golden Nugget), Cucurbita Moschata (Butternut Pumpkin, Jap) and Cucurbita Pepo (Sweet Dumpling, Orange Minikin)
Selection: It is the skin of the pumpkin that protects the wonderful orange flesh from deterioration, so avoid any that are scarred, bruised or cracked. Look for a bright, plump pumpkin that is heavy for its size and boasts a thick, hard rind.
CUCURBITA MAXIMA:
QUEENSLAND BLUE:
Availability: all year
Appearance: big, heavy, ribbed, deep blue-grey skin and orange flesh
Characteristics: drier that other varieties, full flavoured
Best for: scones, boiling or baking
JARRAHDALE:
Availability: all year
Appearance: large round variety with light blue/grey skin and a lovely deep yellow-orange flesh
Characteristics: cuts easily, sweet, firm flesh
Best for: baking – very moist therefore doesn’t lend well to boiling
GOLDEN NUGGET:
Availability: all year
Appearance: small, round pumpkin with orange - red, lightly ribbed skin and bright orange flesh
Characteristics: up to 1.5kg/15cm diameter, easily cut – appearance is its main selling point though it has sweet, creamy flesh
Best for: soup or stuffed as a single serve vessel – high seed ratio if you need roasted pumpkin seeds
CUCURBITA MOSCHATA:
BUTTERNUT PUMPKIN: aka Butternut Squash
Availability: available all year but at best in April, Jul-Aug, Dec-Jan
Appearance: elongated pear shape with smooth, golden-brown skin and orange flesh
Characteristics: dense, dry flesh with a lovely smooth texture and nutty flavour – flavour improves with storage – no need to peel
Best for: everything- especially roasting. Butternut is one of the most popular varieties due to its versatility
JAP: aka Ken Special, Kent, Delica
Availability: all year
Appearance: small mottled green/grey pumpkin (1-3kg), yellow to orange flesh
Characteristics: softer and drier than most, cuts easily and boasts a mild, sweet flavour
Best for: stuff, bake, steam, mash
CUCURBITA PEPO:
SWEET DUMPLING:
Availability: all year
Appearance: small pumpkin with white and green stripes and creamy, firm flesh
Characteristics: mildly sweet, honey nut flavour
Best for: perfect for roasting and stuffing
ORANGE MINIKIN: aka baby pumpkin
Availability: all year
Appearance: small, squat pumpkin, with ribbed, orange skin and yellow-light orange flesh
Characteristics: high seed content, ideal for hollowing and using as a single serve vessel
Best for: baking whole and stuffing with a savoury meat or rice filling – soups or roast the seeds
A: Samhain (All Hallows Eve) was believed to be the day that the souls of the departed (good and bad) were free to roam amongst us. It was Celtish tradition on this day to carve ‘Jack-o-Lanterns’ to both welcome the souls of loved ones and ward off unwelcome spirits. Traditionally Jack-o-lanterns were carved from beets, turnips or potato, however when almost ¾ million people fled to America during the Irish potato famine they brought the tradition but not the beets or gourds to carve. Therefore the pumpkin (native to central and south America) became a larger, easily accessible substitute.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 29th May - 5th June
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Tamarind * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Cumquats * Longans * Tamarillo (gold)*
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Green Mangoes * Lychee * Red Pomelos * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 29th May - 4th June
The market is in good shape this week with only some slight issues. Mainly Strawberries and Tomatoes but the rest is good to go. The problems with Strawberries & Tomatoes is the VIC & SA fruit is more backward with greener bums and the QLD fruit is rain affected- but the good news is... both are back in price!
FRUIT:
Much the same as last week but with increased supply on some lines bringing prices back into play. These lines are all Berries, Watermelons and Honeydews with the staples still going strong. Apples, Pears, Bananas, Grapes, Mandarins, Kiwifruit, Pineapples, Papaw and New Season Navel Oranges are good buying and great quality.
VEGIES:
With the rain and cooler weather in the QLD growing areas, some items will be affected but no shortage is expected. Beans, Corn, Capsicums, Gold Squash and Iceberg Lettuce are the main products affected- and as said Tomatoes are back in price but still nothing over the top quality wise. Everything else good to go.
New season USA Cherries in stock now (and for the next 7 weeks) and we should have the first of the Australian Truffles by end of next week.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Apple- delicious (VIC) * Banana- cavendish (QLD) * Mandarin (QLD) * Paw Paw- yellow (QLD) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)
Vegetable: Beetroot (QLD) * Celery (VIC) * Cocktail Chats Potato (SA) * Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW) * Mushroom - button (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Blood Limes (NSW) * Cherries (Imp- US) * Mango (IMP) * Tangello (QLD)
Vegetable: Asparagus - white (IMP) * Black Radish (NSW) * Habanero Chilli (NSW) * King Brown Mushrooms (IMP) * Roquette Lettuce (NSW) * Roman Beans (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushroom * Yellow Butter Bean * Yellow Zucchini
Not Available: Blood Oranges * Longan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 22nd - 28th May
The market overall is settling in for what looks to be a good winter season across both fruit and veggies. Citrus is in abundance, vegetable are in good supply and supply and demand is matching across the range... except for Tomatoes, which we will see back in play within the next 2 weeks.
FRUIT:
No real shorts at all, Rockmelons, Strawberries and Raspberries still holding up in price, but no problems with supply. Plenty to choose from including the imports- USA Cherries, Mexican Mangoes and NZ Gold Kiwi. Also, we will see the first of the USA grapes by middle of next month and with the change in import requirements, they will be cheaper and better quality than in the past! Aussie Blood Oranges will be available beginning of June.
VEGIES:
Just a couple on the upper end of price, but no problems with supply: Broccoli, Red Capsicums (quality), Cucumbers, and Tomatoes (quality and price)!! All the colours are there, the quality is sound and priced to suit.
The cooler weather is affecting the edible flowers supply and limiting the range. On an exciting note, we should see the first of the Aussie Truffles by the second week of June if not earlier and the word is we could be in for our best season (quality wise) to date!!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC) * Cherries (imported) * Grape - red seedless (VIC) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)
Vegetable: Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Carrot - med/lge (TAS) * Cocktail Chat Potatoes (SA) * Green Beans (QLD) * Heirloom Tomatoes
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Gold Kiwifruit (Imp- NZ) * Tangello (QLD)
Vegetable: Baby Turnip (NSW) * Borlotti Bean (QLD) * French Radish (NSW) * Hawaiian Sweet Potato (QLD) * Morel Mushroom- fresh (Imp) * Porcini Mushroom- fresh (Imp) * Purple Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushroom * Raspberries (expensive ) * Yellow Oyster Mushrooms
Not Available: Blood Oranges * Purple Asparagus
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 15th - 21st May
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Shiso Leaf * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Figs * Loquats * Tamarillo (gold)*
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Green Mangoes * Longan * Lychee * Red Pomelos * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 15th - 21st May
Tomato Agent's dream as prices go through the roof!!
Supply is short but the abnormally high figure is driven by the Market Agents not the farmer. Ever since we grew accustomed to crazy prices for fresh produce after the first QLD cyclone, the market agents are quick to jump- especially Tomato Agents!! In short, tomatoes are available this week but are over the top in price!
As for the rest of the market, very little change. Some slight increases matched by an equal amount of decreases.
FRUIT:
One to watch again this week is Strawberries- which are still holding ground but will come back over the next few weeks.
Rockmelons are still up in price but quality is good- plenty to cover for them this week. Both Watermelons are down in price, as are Honeydews.
Apples, Pears, Kiwifruit & Gold Kiwi, imported Dates, Mandarins, imported Mangoes, New Season Navel Oranges, Pineapples, Dragonfruit & Pomegranates! Go the Fruit!
VEGIES:
Red Light on Tomatoes where possible!
Other ones to watch: Rocket will be available, supply is down, price is up- same with good Lebanese Cucumbers! Sub Gold Squash for Yellow Zucchinis. Baby Caps (Red and Vine Sweet) are NA, the rest is clear.
Artichokes, Cauliflowers, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Chinese Cabbage, Celery, Celeriac, Chillies, Eggplant, Leeks, Mushrooms, Peas, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini- all good to go.
News: USA Cherries by the end of the week!!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Gold Kiwifruit (imported) * Mangoes (imported) * Navel Oranges - lge (SA) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)
Vegetable: Celery (VIC) * Fresh Green Peas (VIC) * Leek - lge (VIC) * Portabello Mushrooms (NSW) * Red Spanish Onion (SA)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Golden Delicious Apples (VIC) * Cumquats (QLD) * Feijoas (NSW) * Guava (QLD) * Pomegranate (VIC) * Quince (QLD)
Vegetable: Honeycomb - full frame (QLD) * Jap Pumpkins (QLD) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Slippery Jack Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Raspberries (expensive ) * Wild Rocket
Not Available: Baby Red Capsicum * Blood Oranges * Yellow Zucchini
WINTER HARVEST
Q: Can you really buy Artichoke brandy?
Recently a fellow food lover lamented that Winter was a “boring time of year for fruit and veg, there just isn’t much to get excited about”. I can understand the sentiment, at this time of year the markets are brimming with root vegetables, cabbages, apples, pears- all wonderfully delicious and versatile but somehow less exotic and alluring than Summer’s bounty. So, in a bulletin designed to kickstart your love affair with winter produce- we are profiling ‘5 Winter lines’ that the team at SG&S are excited about this year and sharing delicious recipes that showcase the delightful potential of these fantastic Winter finds. In the words of Pietro Aretino, “Let us love the winter, for it is the Spring of genius”.
WINTER FLAVOURS:
CITRUS:
The winter citrus season is upon us. Mandarins are at the markets and fantastic eating, as are navel oranges. All signs point to a bumper crop this year.
Supply: Mainly QLD and NSW
Mandarins: while available from March – November, these are at their best May – October
Navel Oranges: the winter orange these are available Jun, July and Aug
Blood Oranges: available Jun – late August
ARTICHOKES:
While we are still early in the season; globes, baby globes and Jerusalem artichokes are currently available at the markets. They wont be at their nutty best for a few more weeks, but are still a wonderful addition to the menu.
Supply: Mainly NSW and VIC
Baby globe artichokes: good local stock arriving at the markets- at their best Jun- Aug
Globe Artichokes: still early but available. Peak product will be at the markets from June - Sept
Jerusalem Artichokes: already available, at their best from June – Sept
USA CHERRIES:
The USA cherry season is always welcome, as it helps us survive the long wait until the Australian season starts up again in November. Expect more lush Bing fruit and creamy Rainiers again this year
Supply: California, Washington and Oregon
Early fruit will be available from next week, with the season traditionally spanning Jun – Aug
TURNIPS/SWEDES:
While many believe them to be old-fashioned and dull, in our minds the delicious Tassie Swedes and local Turnips currently at the markets are vintage gourmet. Their peppery flavour and creamy texture, in addition to their nutritional value and affordability makes turnips and swedes a winter favourite at SG&S.
Supply: Turnips – NSW/VIC, Swedes - TAS
Despite being available all year, the cold weather works wonders for these root veges, meaning turnips, baby turnips and swedes are at their best May – Oct
TRUFFLES:
While the Australian Truffle industry is relatively young, producers are unearthing spectacular, premium grade truffles from sites across WA and TAS (with small numbers harvested in NSW/ACT and VIC). In fact, last year around 3 tonnes of this noble, perfumed fungus was grown and sold in Australian markets. We can only hope that 2012 sees another bountiful harvest.
Supply: WA and TAS
Following a wonderful season in 2011, 2012 is looking to be just as promising for Australian Truffles with fresh, aromatic truffles expected to be in good supply from early June to August
Other items of note for Winter: Star Apple (Jun- Nov), brassicas (in particular cauliflower) are predicted to be top performers this season due to the cold weather. Beans (broad and borlotti) are also expected to have a great winter with main supply now starting.
A: Yes. Known as Rossler it is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented and distilled Jerusalem Artichokes. This nutty-sweet brew has been produced in Baden, Germany since the 1800s and to this day 90% of all Jerusalem Artichokes harvested in the area are dedicated to producing this brandy like spirit.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 8th May - 14th May
The cooler weather and the changeover of growing areas is affecting some products (these will hold throughout winter or come back into play once the QLD season switches on in 3 to 4 weeks time).
Main products affected:
Figs: Price on the move and supply slowing as the season comes to an end. SGS will have supply right throughout winter, just watch the cost from June onwards
Grapes: Quality Seedless White and Coloured on the move up in price
Honeydew: QLD season has commenced and it is expected price, quality and supply will hold as is for the winter
Rockmelon: QLD season has commenced, price will hold till the season get into full swing in the next 3 to 4 weeks
Strawberries: Limited supplies at present- eating quality just okay and price right up there. Will change with the QLD Season commencing early June
Tomatoes: QLD- Bowen season about 3 weeks away, expect market to stay high till then
Watermelons: Quality is better in the small size melons for both varieties, price back this week
FRUIT:
Honeydews, Rockmelons & Strawberries the 3 main products to watch out for- price and quality.
Prime Products are Apples, Pears, Citrus, Hass Avocados, Bananas, Pineapples, Kiwifruit, Imported Dates, Dragonfruit, Pomegranates, Pomelos & Quince.
VEGIES:
Tomatoes, Gold Squash, Red Witlof, Gourmet Rocket & Spinach are the mains ones to watch this week- quality, supply and price. Rocket will be short due to poor weather down south.
Prime Products are Artichokes, Beans - Broad, Borlotti, Continental & Green, Broccolini, Cauliflowers, Celery, Eggplant, Cos and Iceberg Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini.
News from WA: Bumper Truffle crop expect this coming season, peaking in July!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Californian Dates (Import) * Granny Smith Apples- med (VIC) * Kiwifruit- bulk buy (VIC) * Mandarin (QLD)
Vegetable: Baby Broccoli (VIC) * Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Celeriac (NSW) * Silverbeet (NSW)- Sweet Potato - lge (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Feijoas (NSW) * Longans (Import) * Mangoes (Import) * Pears - Beuure Bosc (VIC) * Pears - Honey(VIC)
Vegetable: Baby Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Baby Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Habanero Chili- HOT (NSW) * Honeycomb - full frame (QLD) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Red Witlof
Not Available: Baby Red Capsicum * Green Mangoes * Oyster Mushroom- Pink * Oyster Mushroom- Yellow