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.

Image: www.letusgrow.com.au

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

Image: www.wiffens.com

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

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

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

Image: freepik.com

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

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

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

Image: www.fruitezy.com.au

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

Image: www.wikipedia.com

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

Image: freepik.com

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

Image: www.perfection.com.au

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:

Image: www.organicfood.com.au

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:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

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:

Image: www.bbcgoodfood.com

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:

Image: www.perfection.com.au

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:

Image: www.landlearn.net.au

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:

Image: www.fruitezy.com.au

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:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

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

Image: www.perfection.com.au

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:

Image: www.flowerdalesproutfarm.com.au

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.