Dave's Market Update
In Veg
“I am sounding a bit like a broken record on the vegetable category. Again, all the cucumbers are the right price; Lebanese, Teles and baby cukes.
Asparagus is very good. I don’t think we have quite enough Aussie product for the week so some stores may have to sell the first of the imports which are from Mexico. Both lots are the same price and good value.
Finally, our NSW stores have Dutch carrots at less than half last week’s price and our QLD stores have celery at half price.
In Fruit
Again, the broken record LOTS of great fruit options. Starting with berries both raspberries and blackberries are excellent quality and inexpensive. Williams pears are fantastic and it’s difficult to fault the excellent value imperfect line.
Gala apples are now from the best areas and great value. I think Galas are a great apple however they are at their best early in the season and I think it’s a pity they are now sold all year long. Enjoy them now whilst they are fresh.
All grapes are inexpensive and great value as is seedless watermelon. We have started a very special line of KP mangoes from Mildura, way down south as far as mangoes are concerned. They are longer on the trees than their tropical counterparts and develop a better more intense flavour in that extra time.
The other very good news is the very significant fall in lemon prices, both premium and imperfect. Happy bargain hunting!”
-David Harris
Dave's Pick of the Week
“The best time of the year for plums is Autumn and particularly in March. As the month draws to a close, we are often disappointed with how the peaches and nectarines eat. However, it is when the best eating plums come to market.
Tegan Blues are a very good example of this. Western Australia grows some of the best plums and is generally a little behind the Eastern states time wise. These Autumn plums don’t get the credit they deserve for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, many people eat the early plums and are disappointed with the flavour and decide they don’t like plums. Secondly, most retailers don’t sell the fruit ripe enough and customers often sample them way before they are ripe. I take these beautiful plums home and leave them out of the fridge for 4 or 5 days until they are quite soft. Try them over the next few weeks, they are a real treat.
This week, we have the Western Australian Tegans at a great price, and I will be recommending at least one variety of plums every week until after Easter.” - David Harris
HOW TO PICK Select plums that are smooth, plump, and fairly firm with colour according to their variety.
HOW TO STORE
Keep out of the fridge until they are soft (for full flavour). Once soft you can keep in the fridge for days.