February 16 In Season at the SA Produce 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.

Carlita and Ivory Grapes

It’s grape season, and South Australia is showcasing the very best of the Riverland, a region renowned for producing premium table grapes. Among the highlights are two exceptional varieties: Carlita and Ivory, each offering its own unique eating experience. Carlita grapes are bright red, seedless, and instantly eye-catching, with a crisp texture and vibrant colour that signals freshness. Their sweet yet neutral flavour profile makes them incredibly versatile and widely appealing, perfect for snacking, sharing, or adding a pop of colour to platters. Ivory grapes, on the other hand, are celebrated for their distinctive texture and outstanding sweetness. Firm and exceptionally crisp, Ivory grapes are famous for the satisfying “cracking” sound they make when bitten into. Their skins are naturally resistant to splitting, ensuring a consistent, high-quality bite, while their high sugar content makes them one of the most popular green grape varieties available. Together, Carlita and Ivory grapes represent the peak of grape season in South Australia—fresh, flavourful, and grown with care in the heart of the Riverland.

Mushrooms

If you’re a mushroom lover, you’re in luck! Versatile and full of flavour, mushrooms are in season all year, and South Australian varieties are shining right now. From classic Buttons to Large BBQ, Portabella and Swiss mushrooms, every variety is in peak form and ready to shine in your kitchen. With flavour and texture this good, they might even win over a few stubborn mushroom sceptics along the way. Celebrated for their rich, savoury “umami” taste, mushrooms are a popular choice as a healthy, low-calorie, nutrient-dense alternative to meat. Comfort foods like mushroom stroganoff, soups, sauces, pizzas and tacos benefit from their depth of flavour, making South Aussie mushrooms a go-to ingredient for easy, satisfying meals any day of the week.

Duchess Pears

This week at the market, we’re highlighting Duchess Pears from Gilmours Orchards, which are in season from late summer through to winter. These locally grown pears are known for their exceptional juiciness and naturally sweet flavour. When ripe, they have a delicate aroma, smooth light green to yellow skin, and soft, cream-white flesh that is tender and full of juice. Duchess Pears are also a good source of vitamin C and high in fibre, making them a nutritious choice. Enjoy them fresh as an easy snack, sliced into salads, added to porridge or cereal, or served alongside cheese for a simple, seasonal platter.

Honeydew Melon

South Australian honeydew melons are at their absolute best right now, delivering the juicy, cooling sweetness that makes them a warm-weather favourite. Grown in the Riverland, these melons are bursting with flavour and naturally hydrating, making them the perfect refreshing snack on hot days. Part of the Cucumis melo family, honeydew is best known for its pale green flesh and yellow rind, though it can also appear in a range of other colours. The season is short, so now’s the time to enjoy them before they disappear for another year. Little tip: don’t throw away the seeds—roast them instead for a crunchy, nutrient-rich snack that helps cut down on food waste. Pick up a fresh SA honeydew from your local fruit and veg store and savour every mouthful while they’re in season. For a fun way to use other in-season melons, click the link for a quick recipe with different types of in-season watermelons that make great snacks or impressive appetisers for guests: 👉  https://www.abetterchoice.com.au/recipes/melon-sticks-with-chocolate-mousse/

 

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.