As summer draws to a close, produce lovers can revel in the abundance of peak-season fruits and vegetables. Brendan North from Paradise Farm Markets highlights that figs are exceptionally priced at around 99 cents each, offering culinary versatility from fresh to cooked forms in tarts. Cherries, now at $9.90 per kilo, are still plentiful, while Scott Cohen of Rod’s Fruit and Veg notes the booming supply of sweet globe grapes, selling for $6.99 per kilo.
Golden queen peaches and queen garnet plums provide delightful flavours as stone fruits begin to wane. Supermarkets also offer black and red plums for about $3.90 per kilo, ideal for desserts. This month, salads steal the spotlight, with baby spinach and rocket seeing a 30% sales increase, and iceberg lettuce selling for $3.50. Great recipes using these ingredients include Felicity Cloake’s caesar salad and grilled lettuce with peas and feta.
Cohen mentions that large, creamy Reed avocados are available for $3 each, while Hass avocados are priced at $3.50. Tomatoes remain strong in the market, and cauliflower is easing to $3-$4 each.
In summary, now is the time to enjoy figs, cherries, grapes, summer stone fruits, and vibrant salads as the season’s best produce flourishes.