Veg Speak #5

How about this weather guys. Wet, dry, hot, sticky, humid, wet, dry…

I thought it would pose a few challenges to the market produce but no, all is good with our world. I hope you all have some deserved time off to spend with family and friends and you stay safe through this Christmas and New Year.

Here’s a heads up on our operations for the next couple of weeks,

Monday 22nd December – Open
Tuesday 23rd December – Open
Wednesday 24th December – Open – Possible Delays
Thursday 25th December – [Closed] (Christmas Day)
Friday 26th December – [Closed] (Boxing Day)
Saturday 27th December – Open – Limited Availability
Sunday 28th December – [Closed]

GPVEG Christmas Trading Notice
GPVEG Christmas Trading Notice

Monday 29th December – Open
Tuesday 30th December – Open
Wednesday 31st January – Open – Possible Delays
Thursday 1st January – [Closed] (New Year’s Day)
Friday 2nd January – Open – Possible Delays
Saturday 3rd January – Open – Limited Availability
Sunday 4th January – [Closed]

Bear with us through this period as delivery delays may be experienced

Deliveries will re-commence as normal from Monday 5th January.

Till next time

GP Team

Snapshots

No real drama with prices so far this month, except of course for the irregularly high price of both apples and pears. There does not seem to be a shortage so there must be some other market force in play here. I’ll keep you posted.

The green leaf lines, Iceberg, Cos and English spinach are in good supply and quality. Be on the lookout for Baby Cos Lettuce, a great twin pack is available in both the traditional green leaf and now with a red edged leaf too.

Tomatoes and Cucumbers are looking great. Roma, Salad and Heirloom all available and are super sweet. Lebanese Cucumbers are exceptionally good. Fantastic white heads of Cauliflower and brilliant Broccoli are in great supply Green Beans supply is good, the prices have settled back a bit and the quality is on the up and up. Green Peas, Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas are really hitting their straps. The quality and flavour is brilliant – locally picked and bursting with great colour.

The gap between hard green fruit and ripe is narrowing and full flavoured stone fruit and mangoes perfume the market corridors and pathways. Raspberries are back in price now and Strawberries are enjoying a good run in both size and colour and are definitely getting sweeter, especially out of Victoria. Sensational Red Currants are in good supply, tart and full of Christmas. Mangoes, Kensington Pride, Calypso and R2E2 are in great supply, prices are still a little firm but there will be movement in the coming weeks as the sun shines more brightly. Stone fruit is in great supply, Plums and Apricots are here and are bursting with flavour. Both White and Yellow fleshed Peaches are available. The Donut Peach has also made its first appearance this week and is sensational both in looks and flavour. Remember to get on board quick as the season is quite short. Rockmelons are sweet and firm and the Pineapples are dripping with Queensland sunshine. Victorian Cherries are on the market floor and are sensational, yes, still pricey but well worth the cost. Aussie Grapes are in and in good supply. Flame grapes, a red seedless variety and Menindee seedless green grapes are the ones to look out for both crisp and sweet. Prices are firm and will remain that way for some time.

Picks of the Month

Broad Beans

Young beans can be cooked in their pods then tossed in a little seasoned butter. The larger bean is great as a mash or puree.

Globe Artichokes

Great as an entrée, boiled whole and served with a dipping bowl of vinaigrette or Hollandaise. Try filling the artichoke bottom with a farce and baking it.

Apricots

Full flavoured and large fruit is now available and should be taken advantage of as the apricot season will be short. The growers have informed us that a lot of the fruit did not set on the tree and many were lost during the recent high temperatures and strong winds.

Local Grown Asparagus

Don’t be put off by the larger thicker spears, they are crunchy and sweet both stir fried and poached.

Green Peas, Snow Peas and Sugar Snap Peas

Crisp and full of colour, toss them into a salad with some Kipfler potatoes and olive oil.

Red Papaya

Firm sweet fresh, excellent on a fruit platter for that extra WOW. My favourite, king prawns, mint, coriander, lime and diced papaya salad.

Peaches, White and Yellow flesh

North coast fruit is arriving and supply will increase weekly. Fruit is still firm but will ripen beautifully.

Northern Territory Mangoes

Various sizes available. Beautiful aroma with a golden sweet flesh.

Blueberries

A great superfood and well-priced, this one goes into my baked ricotta and mascarpone cheesecake.

Strawberries

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

Aussie Grapes

Flame seedless are coming out of Mildura and the green seedless Menindee are sourced from Emerald. Both are a stunning way to get right into summer.

Cherries

The look and flavour of Christmas. My absolute favourite grower is out of Victoria and markets under the brand name Koala. This cherry and rightfully so has been voted best cherry two years running by the SMH. It has a good deep crimson colour with large full flavoured fruit. YUMMMMM.