Market fresh Report - Week Ending January 11th

Berries are superb this season, Juicy and flavoursome grapes are available in green, red and black skinned varieties. Seedless grapes are a refreshing and hydrating snack, but also consider adding grapes to salads for a burst of sweetness.

Australian limes are plentiful and affordable right now. Unlike limes rarely have seeds. The pulp is abundant, juicy, green and more acidic than a lemon. Use limes in marinades, drinks, serve with seafood or create a delicious dressing

For a tropical, sweet summer sensation, pick up a bag of tropical Queensland-grown lychees. They are easy to peel and super juicy. Depending on the variety. Just 100g of lychees provides your daily recommended dietary intake of vitamin C for a day.

The pick of the summer berries this week include blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries $3-$5 a punnet.

Summer is made more delicious with mushrooms. Full flavoured flat mushrooms are versatile, very filling and low in kilojoules which make them an idea food for weight control

Kang Kong, also known as on choy or water spinach, is a brilliant buy this week. This tender, leafy green with slender stems adds crunch, colour and fresh flavour to stir-fries, while giving your meal an easy nutritional boost. In many Asian kitchens it’s prized as a weeknight green because it goes from wok to plate in minutes and keeps its vibrant colour right to the end.

Quality cherries primarily from Victoria and Tasmania are a delicious buy. Enjoy them before the season finishes up around the end on the month. .

Sweet, juicy mangoes are in abundant supply and offering excellent value this season. Choose firm fruit with a fragrant tropical aroma, then allow to ripen at room temperature until they gently yield near the stem

There is a superb selection of plums available from Shepparton and Forbes, select from yellow and red fleshed varieties

Chill out with watermelon. Watermelon is picked ripe and ready to eat. Choose cut watermelon with bright pink flesh. Rich colour is a good indication of sweetness. When whole, tap the watermelon and it should sound hollow. Seedless watermelon has small edible seeds and is a good choice for kids.

Boiled, baked, mashed, roasted, steamed or fried, potatoes can absorb flavours and yet still retain their own character and distinctive flavour. The thriftiest way to purchase potatoes is in bulk from your local greengrocer

Green onions also known as shallots are a choice buy. Add to salads for a delicate onion flavour or toss sliced into rice and pasta dishes.

Tropical tasty red-fleshed papaya is a luscious fruit; enjoy some this week. To really make the flavour pop, drizzled with fresh lime juice.

Bursting with summery sweetness and juice, yellow and white-fleshed peaches and nectarines are standout buys. Fruit comes from orchards in Victoria and South Australia

Rain in Queensland last week has reduced mango supplies and this in turn has push price up a bit.

Eggplants are at their best value from late summer to early autumn as Sydney growers harvest quality crops. Select smooth eggplant with a firm, satin-like, glossy skin, which feels heavy for its size.

Snake beans are good value this week. They have a taste and texture similar to a green bean and are sold in bunches. To prepare, cut beans crossways into desired lengths then microwave, boil, steam or stir-fry. They add a delightful crunch to rice dishes, salads, curries and laksas.

Reed avocados from South Australia are now in season. Nicknamed the canon ball because of the larger size and rounded shape, Reed avocados are super fleshy with a rich nutty flavour