Marketfresh Report - Week Ending February 23rd February

Royal Gala apples from Batlow in NSW are in season. Sweet, juicy, and crisp, they’re best stored in the crisper section of the refrigerator to maintain their crunchy texture. Available from February to August, Royal Galas are medium-sized with a yellow base and red flushes, pack one in your lunch box or add to your lunch today.

New season Williams pears from Shepparton, Victoria are sweet, juicy, and full of flavour. They’re delicious sliced and sautéed in butter and maple syrup, then serve over fluffy pancakes. adding them to leafy salads, or baking into moist pear and pecan muffins

Late summer is peak plum season, with these juicy fruits perfect for snacking or adding to salads

Tender, sweet and luscious figs are in season, with quality fruit coming from Wellington, Adelong and Mangrove Mountain. Figs are delicious teamed with honey, ricotta, goats or blue cheese, prosciutto, raspberries, cream, brown sugar or almonds.

Sweetcorn is at its peak last summer to early autumn, offering juicy, golden kernels packed with natural sweetness. Enjoy it grilled on the barbecue, added to salads, or blended into fritters. For a tasty twist, try buttered corn with lime and chilli.

Choose small to medium-sized, firm white cauliflowers. Store them in a plastic bag in the fridge and use within 4 days. Cauliflower pairs wonderfully with flavours like cheese, lemon, ham, garlic, potatoes, mustard, breadcrumbs and curry.

Grape season has arrived, bringing some of the sweetest fruit of the year. Choose from seeded and seedless varieties in shades of pale green, pink, or black. Popular varieties include Crimson, Menindee Seedless, Muscatels, Sultana, Sweet Globe, Ivory, Autumns Crisp and Thompson

Refreshing, crimson fleshed seedless watermelon is a smart buy this week

Mangoes are a summer favourite, and late-season varieties like Keitt and Silky, are still bursting with sweetness

Pumpkin is packed with flavour, vibrant colour, and a smooth texture. Rich in vitamins A and C, it’s delicious roasted for salads or served as a side dish. Try Jap pumpkin with a parmesan and seed crumble for a tasty twist. This week, Jap, Jarrahdale, and Butternut pumpkins are a top buy

Eggplant is excellent value at this week. Look for firm, glossy eggplants with a fresh green cap. Slice into rounds, brush with olive oil, and grill until golden. Top with goat’s cheese or mozzarella, semi-roasted Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil for a delicious dish.

Adding kale and broccolini to your diet boosts your intake of vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, supporting immunity, digestion, and overall health. Plus, they’re great value this week

Royal Gala apples are available from late January through to August, they are a medium in size and the skin has a yellow base with red flushes.

Kiwiberry season has started and they are expected to last about 8 weeks. Kiwiberries are the size of a large grape, green in colour and fuzz free. When cut open, they look much like regular kiwifruit with emerald green colour and small black seeds arranged in a typical pattern. Their flavour is similar to kiwifruit; perhaps a bit sweeter, although sugar levels can vary.

Reed avocados from South Australia are in season. Incorporating Reed avocados into your meals can elevate dishes like guacamole, salads, or simply enjoyed on toast. Their creamy texture and bold flavour make them a versatile ingredient in both savoury and sweet recipes.

Crunchy Iceberg lettuce from Victoria, Queensland and the Sydney Basin is a great buy. Core and cut into large wedges, then drizzle with your favourite dressing. Its crisp texture makes it perfect for rice paper rolls, especially when paired with mango and chicken.

Fresh pistachio nuts from Alstonville and Mildura are now in season, offering a moist and chewy texture that's perfect for snacking. These nuts are also excellent for baking, enhancing treats like biscotti or pistachio bread.

Looking to spruce up your meals with some extra nutrients? Look no further than mushrooms! These little wonders are available all year round, making them the perfect addition to any dish. With their unique texture and flavour, mushrooms can effortlessly elevate your everyday meals to new heights