LOCAL, LIGHTER PRODUCE
Q: Which other locally sourced produce lines should I be looking out for at the moment?
While it may still be only September, I am already shifting towards alfresco dining (where possible) and adjusting my palate to the lighter, fresher flavours that go hand in hand with the rising mercury and my annual Spring health kick. I know I’m not alone and this week I wanted to share not only our range of fresh produce lines perfect for the next wave of salads and sides, but also show some support for our local growers and profile top quality produce that SG&S is currently sourcing from Greater Sydney/NSW based growers.
SALAD LEAF LINES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Hydroponic Mix
There are a number of reasons to enjoy hydro lettuce, probably the most obvious being it is free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. It may not technically be classified as organic but many consider it pretty close. Essentially a mesclun mix made up of ¾ leaf sizes (rocket, baby spinach etc) it’s a great base for any salad.
Source: Sydney/NSW
Supply: good supply, all leaf lines performing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Oak Lettuce (Red/Green)
For further information on Oak Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past blog on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: mostly NSW, however product is also sourced from VIC when required
Supply: currently performing well- supply, quality and price all good
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cos Lettuce (Standard/Baby)
For more information on Cos Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: Both Baby Cos and standard Cos are performing well, standard Cos is good quality and super cheap- making it one of our best buys this week. Meanwhile Baby Cos is fantastic eating
LOCAL PRODUCT: Chicory Leaf
Not to be confused with Witlof/Belgian Endive which is also sometimes referred to as Chicory, this leaf line boasts a stronger bitter flavour than witlof, with production peaking in the warmer months.
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Endive
For further information on Endive characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
SALAD EXTRAS:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Spring Onions aka Salad Onions
Growing up my mother referred to Spring Onions as Salad Onions, their softer flavour and characteristics make the perfect for lighter dishes
Source: NSW
Supply: great buying at the moment, quality is fantastic and supply strong
SIDES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Dutch Carrots & Baby Dutch Carrots
For more information on Dutch Carrots characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on baby veg – Life’s Little Treasures
Source: NSW
Supply: lovely sweet carrots arriving at the markets- steady supply and good pricing
LOCAL PRODUCT: Silverbeet
The original Australian Spinach, not only is it great buying at the moment but full of nutrition and flavour
Source: NSW
Supply: One of our best buys this week Silverbeet is fantastic quality, great supply and priced accordingly
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cime de Rapa aka Rapini, Broccoli Rapa
A common cooking vegetable in Italy, the slightly bitter florets and leaves of Rapa make it worth adding to the shopping list as it goes beautifully
Source: NSW
Supply: featured on our ‘Something Different’ items this week Rapa is arriving in good quality and is reasonably supplied and priced at the moment
LOCAL PRODUCT: Field Mushrooms
Despite falling outside the usual peak period for mushrooms, most varieties are fantastic eating at the moment. For more information on mushroom characteristics, please refer to our past bulletin – Packed to the Gills
Source: NSW
Supply: Cup mushrooms in particular are fantastic buying and eating right now, however it is always hard to go past a magnificently meaty Portabello!
A: Our local farmers are doing us proud, currently supplying fantastic quality BERRIES- mulberries, blueberries, APPLES, ZUCCHINI FLOWERS- fruit attached, KALE, TUSCAN CABBAGE the list goes on. When it comes to serving up a stunning side you might want to consider our Asian greens which are almost entirely sourced from local farmers – chinese broccoli, bok choi, gai choy, choi sum to name a few. In terms of performance, the market is currently seeing good quality and price for Asian Greens, with the exception of Gai Choy which is in short supply?
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.