October Produce Report
Friday, 07 October 2011 09:58
October Produce Report
Mangoes head the seasonal list for fresh produce this month, see what else is in supply this month
The produce report is thanks to our friends at Market Fresh.
MANGOES
There are three varieties of new season Northern Territory mangoes available this month - Kensington Pride, R2e2 and Nam Dok Mai. Mangoes are ovate to elongate in shape and typically weigh 250g to 900g, depending on the variety. The colour of the flesh varies from yellow to golden and is soft, juicy and sweet. Some varieties have fibrous flesh, while others are succulent, buttery and smooth. Select fruit free from blemishes and black marks, as these indicate the fruit is overripe.
The best test of a mango is its aroma, which should be highly perfumed when ripe. Unripened mangoes will ripen at room temperature. Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C
BEANS
Very good quality bean selection available this month, varieties include – Green or Round-rounded pod; Flat or French - flat pod with slightly ridged sides; Borlotti - creamy/yellow pod with purple spots; Butter - cream/very pale yellow in colour; Snake - rounded pod up to 30-50cm in length and Broad - bean is large, green and flat and pod is not eaten. Beans are good source of vitamin A and C and dietary fibre and also contain traces of iron. When selecting beans, choose young, firm and straight pods with good colour (green, yellow or purple). Good quality beans should snap crisply.
ROCKMELON
Excellent quality Northern Territory rockmelons are in good supply, they have a porous skin allowing the aroma to come through and the exotic smell is the best indication of ripeness for rock melon.
STRAWBERRIES
New season strawberries from Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia are in excellent supply and great quality this month. Varieties include – Camarosa, Festival, Futuna, Ruby Gem and Sweet Melina and all very sweet to taste. Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, try chopping up and sprinkling over cereal or porridge.
BLUEBERRIES
New season blueberries from NSW are now being harvested, they are plump, juicy and sweet to taste.They are full of vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants, blueberries are a delicious healthy treat.
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers are a good source of Vitamin C and dietary fibre. Wash, slice and eat raw with the skin on and add to salads; try half cm slices topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon for a simple and tasty snack or spring time entrée. Varieties available are: Ordinary - smooth green skin, 20-30cm long, Lebanese - 10cm in length and sweet to taste, Apple - white to light green skin with rounded shape and Continental - long and slender with ridged dark green skin.
ASPARAGUS
New season Victorian Green and White Asparagus Spears are now being harvested and are available for purchase at your local Fruit and Vegetable Retailer. When selecting asparagus choose tender, straight, fresh spears with closed, compact tips; spears should snap easily at the stem end. The stalks of asparagus are high in antioxidants and green asparagus in particular is a very good source of vitamin C.
LIMES
Fresh Tahitian Limes from Queensland are of very good quality this month and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. When purchasing limes, select fruit that is firm, evenly coloured and glossy, and heavy for their size to indicate good juice content.
SNOW PEAS
Fresh Queensland snow peas are in good supply and are top quality. Snow peas are a good source of vitamins B, B2, B3 and C. Use snow peas in stir fries or raw or blanched in salads or as a side vegetable with dips.
BOK CHOY
Bok Choy, also known as Shanghai Chinese Chard, is of good quality this month. This Asian green is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Select fresh looking bunches with clean, glossy leaves and healthy stems; braise, steam or stir-fry.
CAPSICUM
Australian Red, Green and Yellow fruit are in plentiful supply this month. They can be eaten raw in salads; sliced for stir fry; diced or cubed for casseroles and ratatouille or halved and filled with meat or rice and baked.
CARAMBOLA
Queensland grown Carambola or Star Fruit has green/yellow, waxy, thin skin and is star shaped when cut in a cross section. The crisp juicy flesh is transparent and yellow/white in colour; they are sweet to taste, similar to an apple.
Carambola are lovely eaten fresh and because of their star shaped form when sliced, make a very attractive accompaniment or garnish to pavlovas, fruit salad, cakes and platters. They complement seafood dishes and savoury salads well and make a refreshing drink when juiced.
This months produce is thanks to our firends at Market Fresh
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