August 7 In Season at the Market

Buying and eating in season produce is good for your nutrition and helps the economy, our seasonal updates are here to lend a hand.

Let us inspire you with just a few of the fresh, locally grown produce now in season at the South Australia Produce Market that you will find at your local fruit and veg store. 

 

Asparagus

We are seeing new season, locally grown asparagus in the market at the moment.  Packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, asparagus has many health benefits including acting as a natural diuretic to rid the body of salt and fluid and flush toxins in the kidneys.  It is known that after eating asparagus it makes your wee smell which is caused by the body producing asparagusic acid which gets broken down into sulphur and sulphur does not have a pleasant smell.  When asparagus is cooked well, which can be roasted, grilled, steamed or sauteed, it has a slightly earthy yet sweet taste with a perfectly tender-crisp texture.   Be creative when cooking asparagus, sauteed with garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper, this makes for a tasty addition to any meal.

Mandarin

With citrus season upon us, there is a plentiful supply of new season mandarins in the market and what a treat they are! Packed full of sweet, tangy citrus flavour, mandarins are the perfect addition for school lunch boxes offering an easy to peel and healthy snack.  Packed full of vitamin C, mandarins help promote a healthy immune system to prevent colds in the winter months which the whole family can enjoy.   Be sure to look out for these sweet, juicy treats at your local fruit and veg store.

Spring Onion

Locally grown spring onions are in good supply at the markets this week. With a more mellower flavour than regular onions, they only need to be cooked very briefly – or most regularly used as garnish without any cooking at all.  Spring onions are considered a superfood because of their nutritional value as they provide health benefits to the body and help in preventing several diseases. Be sure to add these flavoursome onions to many salads for that extra zing whilst they can also be enjoyed in many meals including soups and stir fries.

Avocado

What a great time to enjoy avocados! They are in plentiful supply at the market, at a great price and not to mention the many health benefits that they provide.  Avocados contain healthy fats, antioxidants and are rich in nutrients.  There are many health benefits by incorporating these green beauties into your diet which include improving digestion, heart health, vision and bone health. Be sure to add “avos” to your shopping basket to enjoy as a healthy snack on their own, added to salads, or to make delicious guacamole.  Did you know you can also freeze avocados? Simply wrap in plastic wrap, then place in a zip lock bag and pop it in the freezer – Enjoy!

 

You’ll find the best produce inside your local independent fruit & veg stores. Locate your closest store here.And don’t forget to check out Pick a Local, Pick SA Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts.