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February Market Report 2021

We still have our summer favourites in the February Market Report for 2021. Enjoy your figs, cherries and mangoes before they run out of season.

UDPATES

Take us where summer fruit never ends. Summer is still going strong, and even though we aren’t seeing much of the sun, summer-favourite fruits are still well in season.

Let’s start with figs. We have a strong supply of local figs including the pear-shaped and extra-sweet Black Genoa figs and green figs, which are generally larger and plumper than the black figs. Figs are rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium and are a great fruit that can be eaten raw, tossed into a salad or made into a jam. There will be a great supply until around mid-march.

Be the cherry on top of your day! There are plenty of Tasmanian cherries on offer at the moment and great varieties such as Lapins, Sweetheart, and black Douglas. Thanks to the ideal maritime climate of Tasmania, Tasmanian cherries are among the best in the world, and are recognised for their richness in flavour, size and firmness. Aussies love their cherries in summer but cherry season usually only lasts 100 days.

The sweet and tangy Kensington Pride mangoes are available till the end of February. Unlike past seasons, this year hasn’t seen a strong supply in one of Australia’s favourite fruits. This is mostly due to the weather.

There are plenty of vibrant eggplants, which are a perfect addition to an Aussie summer barbecue. There has been a great supply especially for glasshouse eggplants. The fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and antioxidants in eggplants all support heart health. Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard, and the flesh should be white with a slight green tint.

We heard from the grapevine that one of our classics is now in season! Australian green and red seedless grapes are at their best. There is a great supply at the moment. Australian muscatels have commenced and will get even tastier throughout the season.

It’s that time of the year when Aussie peaches are at their best! Slipstone variety peaches have now started. We have delicious yellow peaches from Forbes which are full of great flavor and are quite versatile to eat as they easily come off the stone.

The season for Australian asparagus is now over and they are in short supply. No need to worry, we are going to supplement local supply asparagus with imported asparagus, but they will cost a bit extra.

Australian plums are now available. Both black and red are of good supply. We cannot wait for Queen Garnets to start in a couple of weeks. The antioxidant plum will be available through February and autumn

SPECIALS

Please contact us for weekly prices:

  • PLUMS
  • GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES
  • EGGPLANTS
  • BANANAS

WHAT’S ON THE PLATE THIS MONTH?

LOCAL FIGS

They are a great starter and can add to entertaining recipe ideas. Figs are featured in a number of canapé recipes, and can be paired deliciously with all types of cheese – goat, blue, brie, cheddar and camembert.

FREE RANGE & CAGE EGGS

Did you know that chickens lay more eggs when they are exposed to more light during the day for at least 14 hour?. That is why eggs are at their best during spring and summer. How eggs-iting! We supply great quality eggs from our local farmers such as Lake Macquarie Free Range and Ash & Sons. Contact us to place your order.

CAPSICUMS

Whether they are green, yellow, orange or red, there are plenty of different ways to eat capsicums. They can be consumed in salads, raw, chargrilled, or even stir fried. We have a great supply in all colours at the moment. Fun fact… Did you know that green capsicums are not as sweet as red capsicums because they contain less sugar?

MUST HAVE PRODUCE: VEGETABLES

GREEN & RED CAPSICUM

Green capsicums may be less sweet and slightly more bitter than the red capsicums, but they contain less sugar. Capsicums are low in fat, high in fibre and water content, and contain high amounts of micronutrients which are extremely beneficial to the body’s function.

SWEET CORN

There has been lots of controversy about the health benefits of the sweet starchy vegetable and cereal grain. Sweet corn is high in carbs, and packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals, but is known to also raise blood sugar levels (as it comes from starch).

EGGPLANT

Eggplants are the perfect addition to just about any meal, and can be enjoyed in many variations, from a soup to a barbeque. If you want a balanced diet, eggplants are the way to go because they are high in fiber and this helps regulate the digestion process.

MUST HAVE PRODUCE: FRUIT

CHERRIES

Aussie-favourite summer cherries are generally ripe once they develop to their full colour, and the colour depends on the variety (most common colour is ruby red). Cherries contain no fat or cholesterol, are full of antioxidants and are tasty and delicious in flavour.

FIGS

Figs are one of the juiciest and sweetest fruits available in late summer. Choose clean, dry figs with thin, unblemished skin. Figs contain small amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B6 and their seeds and skin are high in fibre.

PEACHES & NECTARINES

There are two main variations of peaches and nectarines: yellow and white. Peaches contribute to the recommended daily intake of potassium, fiber and iron. The yellow varieties are more acidic whereas white peaches and nectarines are less acidic and taste sweeter.

Contact us by phone or email to order your next delivery from Produce to Plate.