Veg Speak #10

All good on the Market floor, this month sees winter warmers adorning our everyday. Most of our Asian Market Gardeners have been underwater for weeks but are now bringing in some fantastic greens. Tomatoes, Zucchini, Cauliflower and Beans have come back in price as has Broccoli. The quality is on the way up and supply is good. New season Apples, Pears and Oranges are making a good show and my very favourite the Imperial Mandarin in abundance.

For those of you that are unaware, we have an additional arm to the Gourmand Providore brand – GP Kitchen. All our products are baked fresh and delivered daily. This month’s specialty bake is our new Roast pumpkin, ricotta, chive and black pepper puff rolls. Honey roasted butternut pumpkin, ricotta with a sprinkle of parmesan and a hint of black pepper, YUM.

We are only making them to order so, you know what to do.

GP Kitchen Order Form
GP Kitchen Brochure

Drop us a line on on Facebook or Instagram and let us know of some other products you may be interested in.

Snapshot

New season Apples, Royal Gala, Delicious, Jonathon, Jazz and Fuji are in good supply, a little pricey but excellent quality. Honey and Corella Pears have been joined by Pakham, Beurre Bosc and Josephine are in good supply and have good firm sweet flesh. Some fantastic Navel Oranges are in town, juicy and in various sizes.

The green leaf lines, Iceberg, Cos and English spinach are in good supply and quality. Tomatoes and Cucumbers are looking great. Cucumbers are moving up the price scale due to the recent weather trends but still represent good value. Roma, Salad and Heirloom Tomatoes are all available and are super sweet. Cauliflower and Broccoli supply is back to a good level relieving the price pressures of the past few weeks. Leafy Asian Greens, Gai Lun, Choy Sum and Baby Bok Choy are looking great now the rains have eased.

Green Bean supply is brilliant and getting better. Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas are in good supply and good value. New season Fennel is crisp and flavoursome and good value. Great looking Jerusalem Artichokes are now in season and limited quantities of Borlotti Beans and Flat Italian Beans are available.

Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries are looking great both in size and colour and are definitely getting sweeter. Both Queensland and Western Australian Strawberries are in short supply and have a short shelf life at the moment. Mangoes are out of Mexico and have a great flavour and yield to them. Longans are coming out of Queensland and have made a steady appearance. The fruit is well sized and sweetly perfumed. Custard Apples are here – Both Pink Mammoth and Indian varieties are available in various sizes. Banana quality has taken a bit of a hit with the recent Queensland weather but we are seeing a great recovery in both condition and affordability. Rockmelons are sweet and firm and the Pineapples are sweet and juicy. Aussie Crimson Grapes are in and in good supply. Kiwi Gold Kiwifruit are in good supply and are super sweet, it’s a short season so get on board.

Picks of the Month

Avocado

This month’s pick is the Haas variety. Haas have a wrinkled green skin, and are the most used variety on the market.

Heirloom Carrots

A fantastic array of red, yellow and orange varieties. Team them up with some baby White Turnips and Golden Beetroot to make a stunning roast.

Rockmelon

Full flavoured fruit in a variety of sizes.

Quince

Time to make some Jelly or Paste. Beautiful firm small and large fruit available.

Asparagus

Good Peruvian and Mexican varieties are taking up the Australian off season.

Victorian Fennel

Excellent quality, crisp and fragrant. Fantastic bulbs of Celeriac are here to warm our hearts for the winter.

Zucchini and Green Beans

Great value and super fresh.

Radish Varieties

Regular, Watermelon, white skinned with a pinkish centre, French, elongated red coloured radish with a white tip, are at their peak right now and should take pride of place on your menus.

Blueberries & Raspberries

Great superfoods and well-priced, enjoy them fresh or try them in a baked cheesecake.

Mandarins

Imperial and Daisy varieties are in good supply. Sweet, juicy and heavy.

Strawberries

Driscolls Majestic is an awesome sight to behold, a super large full flavoured strawberry that would love a dip in your favourite Couverture.

Cherries, Peaches and Nectarines

From the U.S.A and are readily available.

Pomegranate

In good supply. Large sweet fruit filled with red pearls of flavour. Great in a salad, as a juice and awesome in a sauce or dressing.

Fuji Fruit / Sweet Persimmons

Good to eat firm just like an apple.

Custard Apples

New season varieties have started coming into the markets.