September 18 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. 

 

Swiss Brown Mushrooms

Although Swiss Brown mushrooms are small, they are one of the heartiest mushroom varieties with the most robust umami flavour. With their darker colour and earthiness, Swiss Browns bring a delicious rustic quality to dishes. These brown mushrooms hold a little less water than their white cousins, which is why they have a firmer texture and retain their shape during the cooking process. As mushrooms are available all year round as they are grown in a climate controlled environment, don’t think Swiss Browns are only for winter dishes, these little flavour dynamos are great in a stirfry, pasta, risotto’s and are amazing skewered on the BBQ too. Fun fact:  A swiss brown mushroom is the same as a Portobello and when a Swiss Brown mushroom is left on the growing bed for an extra few days, it grows into a big Portobello mushroom!

Snow Peas

The fresh, crisp and crunchy Snow Pea is in season at the moment.  These versatile, locally grown delights are an edible-pod pea with flat pods and thin pod walls. They are eaten whole, with both the seeds and the pod and have a sweet flavour.  Snow peas are annual cool-season veggies and there are 2 varieties – tall and dwarf.  These are both fast-growing on vines with the tall variety can grow up to 2m and needs to be staked for support. Snow Peas can be enjoyed eaten raw or blanched and are a perfect addition to stir fries and salads.  Be sure to add these to your shopping basket to incorporate into your weekly meals.

Mandarins

We are still seeing a great supply of South Australian mandarins at the market with Citrus Season still in full swing.  These orange beauties are packed full of sweet, tangy citrus flavour and mandarins are the perfect addition for school lunchboxes offering an easy to peel and seedless snack.  Packed full of Vitamin C, these immunity boosting mandarins are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy.  Be sure to grab some for the whole family to enjoy next time you are at your local fruit and veg store.

Eggplant

Eggplant, also known as Aubergine, is often seen as a great meat replacement in plant-based recipes, but don’t be fooled into thinking they’re only good for vegetarians. Eggplants are just starting to come into season right now and they have plenty of benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, assists with blood sugar control and weight loss. Why not try something different and enjoy the benefits of eggplant with this great recipe for stuffed Eggplant Fritters.  Bon appetit!

 

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.