Dave's Market Update
In Veg
“The fantastic weather we are having is doing wonders with the supply of spring vegetables. It’s very difficult to promote a particular line, as virtually every product in the veg category is running earlier than normal, is great quality and inexpensive to boot.
Asparagus is a great example, to be already down to $2.00 is highly unusual, however, we aren’t complaining. Broccoli which is all from the Werribee region in Victoria is also incredibly good and incredibly cheap.
Truss tomatoes have had a dramatic fall in price, this rarely happens this early in spring. A number of the popular Asian bunch vegetables are really great value; look for specials on these this weekend.
English spinach, Victorian artichokes, fennel are all great options this weekend. Celery and Iceberg lettuce are both fantastic value and loose corn is continuing to eat well and is a help with balancing the budget.
It would be hard to buy a dud or overpriced vegetable from your green grocer or supermarket this week.”
- David Harris
In Fruit
“Again, it’s the berry category that’s commanding our attention in fruit. However, we aren’t complaining; less focused on strawberries as the QLD season draws to a close and we start to source these from Western Australia.
In their place, there is more raspberries available this week but it’s blueberries we are selling tons of. These are coming from as far as Western Australia and high up in QLD, the price is fantastic and the taste a quality superb.
Honey Murcott mandarins, navel oranges and Gold kiwi are all at their best but we are suddenly starting to sell a good few grapes a well, particularly the whites. Both USA and Australian fruit are available, I think that this week, it’s still the American that eat the best but not for much longer.
Watch this space for more updates.”
- David Harris
Dave's Pick of the Week - Broccoli
“The broccoli we are enjoying at the moment are new spring crop straight from Werribee, Victoria.
Broccoli is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw, plain or cooked into a dish. Choosing quality broccoli is a key to enjoying it.
Broccoli is highly nutritious. Just 100g of has two day’s supply of vitamin C (as long as you don't overcook it). It is also a good source of dietary fibre as well as potassium, vitamin E, folate and beta carotene.”
- David Harris
HOW TO PICK
Look for broccoli with bright green heads. Prefer compact clusters of the broccoli florets. The more open the florets, the older and closer to flowering the florets are. Choose firm, strong stems and stalks. Avoid broccoli that appear to have woody stems or those with yellow flowerets.
HOW TO STORE
Store broccoli in the refrigerator and keep it dry. Store in a vented plastic bag and use within 5 days, or earlier if you notice any wilting commencing.
