Late summer to autumn is the peak season for juicy and tangy red and yellow fleshed plums

Rich in flavour and a bargain. Smooth and creamy and rich potassium bananas are storehouse of sustained energy.

Fragrant and juicy rockmelon from the Riverland of NSW are a thrifty buy.

Locally grown sweetcorn is one of summer's star vegetables. Add corn to salads, salsas, fritters, pasta dishes, meat patties and rices dishes for colour and sweetness.

Fire up your wok and toss together a quick stir-fry using economical and great tasting Asian leafy greens.

Deliciously different and so versatile okra is fabulous. Okra is excellent sautéed or fried. Very young, tender pods can be sliced, dipped in egg, breaded with corn meal and fried or try sautéing okra with corn kernels, onion and sweet peppers. Okra can also be steamed, baked, pickled, boiled or stewed

Eggplants are a superb buy again this week. Fresh, young eggplants do not require, disgorging (salting) unless you intend deep-frying. Cut eggplant into 1 cm slices brush with olive oil and grill until soft and golden. Use in a vegetable lasagne or add to a pizza topping.

Zucchini's are always a good buy in summer. Add grated zucchini to cakes, pasta sauces and meat loaf or thinly slice lengthwise and add to a salad. They are also delicious slice them in half and cook on the barbecue.

Potatoes from South Australia are plentiful. Whip up a tasty potato salad, made with Desiree, washed or brushed potatoes.

Choose firm, vibrant green snow peas and sugar snap peas this week as they are plentiful and prices have dropped.

Firing up the barbie than don’t forget to cook up a few mushrooms. Apart from being perfect for vegetarian’s mushrooms are delicious served as a side dish. Best of all mushrooms fill you; all with the added benefit of being low in kilojoules

Golden fleshed kumara tubers are excellent value. Add diced and roasted kumara to a salad, they make delicious wedges or serve roasted kumara.