Market fresh Report - Week Ending March 8th

Finger limes deliver tiny pearls of sharp citrus flavour and crisp texture. They elevate both sweet and savoury dishes, pairing beautifully with crustaceans, oysters, scallops, smoked eel, crème fraîche, yoghurt, vodka, gin, beer and sparkling wine. They also complement avocado, cucumber, asparagus, melons and stone fruit.

Have you spotted kiwi berry at your local greengrocer? Sold in 125g punnets, kiwiberries look like a hairless mini kiwifruit. Round to elongated in shape with a smooth, green, tender, edible skin, fruit is bit size with a vibrant green flesh that contains tiny seeds. They are surprisingly sweet and provide a healthy dose of vitamin C. Kiwi berries are available for 4-6 weeks

Golden Queen peaches are at their glorious peak, though only for a short window. Their golden skin and honeyed flesh shine when grilled and served with yoghurt or ice cream

Autumn limes are abundant, versatile and excellent value. Their bright citrus tang enlivens everything from sparkling drinks to marinades and dressings or whip a tangy lime syrup coconut cake

5-kilo bags of red, washed and brushed potatoes are a thrifty buy at $5-$8. Remember to remove them from the plastic bag and store in a cold dry, dark and well-ventilated place to maximise the storage life.

Autumn is prime time for quality eggplants. Choose firm, glossy fruit that feels heavy for its size, with a fresh green stem. Store in the refrigerator and handle gently to avoid bruising

Zucchini’s mild flavour makes them extremely versatile. Add grated zucchini to risotto, rissoles, meatloaf, pasta dishes and frittatas or added to a cake like a delicious carrots, zucchini, apples and walnut loaf.

Lusciously sweet figs are a good buy this week. Team with ricotta, goat’s or blue cheese, prosciutto, raspberries, cream, brown sugar or almonds. Adding them to a salad with peppery rocket, toasted walnuts and burrata, finished with olive oil and sherry vinegar is delicious.

Tasmanian-grown Zara strawberries (Driscoll’s) are beautifully shaped, richly coloured and wonderfully fragrant, with a sweetness around 30% higher than standard varieties. Premium Zara strawberries come in yellow punnets

Plums, with their ruby or golden flesh, bring colour and juicy sweetness to the table. Slice into salads, roast alongside pork belly, or bake into cakes and pastries. Available in a range of varieties

Asian greens including bok choy, choy sum, gai lum and on choy are in excellent supply and value. For best results, cook briefly until just tender to retain their fresh flavour and texture.

Nourish your immune system with kumara, also known as orange sweet potato. Packed with fibre and vitamins, it is delicious and to roast, mash or bake

Few aromas are as inviting as onions caramelising in a pan. Essential for barbecues, salads and sandwiches.

When visiting your local green grocer this week keep an eye out for fresh pistachio nuts. Available for only 4-5 weeks they are a seasonal treat. Their attractive soft, pink and yellow mottled skin covers the hard, semi spit shell. The nut itself is mild tasting with a creamy texture and is delicious as a healthy snack and a tasty addition to baked goods

The Robinvale and Mildura regions produce some of Australia’s finest grapes. Enjoy them fresh, pair with cheese for an easy appetiser, or toss halved grapes through mixed greens with feta and citrus vinaigrette or as a snack. Most varieties are seedless, except Muscats and Red Globe

Crisp new-season apples have arrived, bringing crunch and natural sweetness to the fruit bowl. Look for Royal Gala, Mi, Sassy, Delicious and Fuji. To preserve their bite as the weather warms, keep them refrigerated.

Williams’ and Packham pears are sweet, juicy and exceptional buying. Select firm fruit, as pears ripen after picking. Blend a ripe pear with spinach, almond milk and frozen banana for a nourishing smoothie.

Carrots remain a kitchen essential. Roast, mash, stir-fry, grate into salads or bake into cakes.

Red capsicums add vibrant colour and a generous dose of vitamin C. Slice into salads and stir-fries or blend roasted capsicums with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic for a flavoursome hummus.

Broccoli from Victoria and Tasmania is now in season. High in vitamins C and K, fibre and antioxidants, broccoli supports immune health and digestion. Steam, roast or add to stir-fries for a nutritious boost.