AUTUMN HARVEST
Q: How long is the rain likely to last?
Summer is officially gone and with it go the luscious stonefruits, berries and tomatoes that characterise Sydney’s summer menus. So what can we expect from Autumn 2012?
Sydney’s tropical (read: rainy) summer has taken its toll on local produce (especially ground grown crops- herbs, asian vegetables, tomatoes) however consistent supply from interstate has managed to keep the markets relatively stable. Unfortunately, we are now starting to see poor weather impact interstate products and if the rain continues we can expect to see quality and price issues across the board.
On a positive note all this wet weather has brought the elusive Pine Mushrooms to the markets early, not to mention apple, pears, exotic fruits , cabbage lines and root veg are all looking relatively consistent and are good eating.
AUTUMN FLAVOURS:
APPLES/PEARS/QUINCE:
New season apples, pears and quince are abundant in Autumn with almost all varieties of apple and pear available over the course of the season.
Supply: Expected to be consistent bar a significant storms or hail in the growing regions
Inspiration: Vogue Entertaining + Travel’s Spiced Quince and Pears with baked custard
BEANS:
Beans are a staple of Autumn, with Borlotti, Butter, French, Green, Roman and Snake making an appearance.
Supply: With the rains in QLD/Nth QLD this week the market for beans has turned dramatically with supply very tight and price jumping significantly. With supply directly influenced by the weather we hope to see supply and price improve as the weather clears.
Inspiration: Teage Ezard’s Barbecued ox tongue with southern gold potatoes, snake beans and sticky mustard dressing recipe
CABBAGE:
Hitting the markets earlier than usual, cabbage lines – chinese wombok, red cabbage, Tuscan cabbage – fill the gap left by the slowing lettuce lines.
Supply: Hardier than other ground grown crops, supply should remain consistent. However excessive rain or flooding may cause splitting and as a result supply issues
Inspiration: Jacques Reymond’s Spatchcock & Buttered Cabbage with verjus
EXOTIC FRUITS:
Filling the void of the lush mangoes and berries come the passionfruit, custard apples, breadfruit, persimmon, guava and pomegranates & tamarillos
Supply: Some issues with guava supply at the moment but otherwise looking steady for the season ahead
Inspiration: Kim Woodward’s Butter roasted halibut, lobster salad, coriander pasta and passion fruit sauce
NUTS:
Autumn also sees the return of the fresh nuts- with Australian grown pistachios (NOW), almonds (Feb-Mar), Hazelnuts (Feb-Apr), Peanuts (Feb-June) and Chestnuts (Apr- Jul) on the scene!
Supply: When they hit the markets, they hit in force- though they finish all too quickly
Inspiration: Peter Gilmore’s Caramelised Vanilla Brioche French toast
PUMPKIN:
I recently read a quote that said there were four seasons, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin and Winter. With all lines including Butternut on offer in Autumn, who can blame them.
Supply: Sourced locally, pumpkins are traditionally abundant and great eating for the whole season
Inspiration: Rick Stein’s Pumpkin ravioli with sage butter
ROOT VEG:
Autumn sees the root veg come into their own with sweet potatoes, horseradish, turnip, parsnip and spud varieties (Royal Blue, Ruby Lou, Pontiac, Desiree, Burbank, Purple Congo) all coming into their own.
Supply: While supply should remain consistent, root veg are susceptible to splitting and rot with too much rain – so lets hope for some clear skies.
Inspiration: Bar H’s Sashimi of striped trumpeter with mushrooms and ginger, horseradish and soy dressing
More produce highlights for Autumn: Pine Mushrooms, Celeriac, Fennel, Leeks, Spinach and Silverbeet
A: Unfortunately it may last a while yet. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wetter autumn than average for NSW and SA and a slightly drier season for VIC and TAS. There is a silver lining however, with the BOM describing their outlook model as having ‘low skill over South East NSW’ at this time of year! So you never know, blue skies could be just around the corner.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 28th Feb - 5th Mar 2012
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
Overall the general market price is down due to lower demand, but quality is still showing signs of the poor weather. Again it’s the ground grown crops, local Asian vegetables and herbs that are worst hit. Fruit is still holding and in most products there is no change in price.
Fruit:
Good supplies of New and Old season Apples. Apricots are just about all over.
Long watermelons not worth buying due to quality. Seedless same price and good gear.
Full range of Exotics from FNQ: Rambutans, Starfruit, Longans, Kett Mangos, Red Papaya, Persimmons plus more.
Vegetables:
Iceberg Lettuce, Coloured Lettuce, Gourmet Mesclums, Asian Leaf Veg and Herbs are feeling the wet and are up in price due to lower supply, quality is above par to good.
Still no shortages to pick from. The usual culprits; Broccoli, Caulies, Spuds, Carrots, Beans, Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin are all good to go and priced well.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Cavendish Bananas (QLD)
Peak Season Fig Trays (NSW)
Lychees (QLD)
Mango - Ketts (QLD)
Red Seedless Grapes (VIC)
Vegetables:
Beetroot- large (NSW)
Cauliflower (NSW)
Desiree Potatoes - large (SA)
Green Zucchini (NSW)
Sweetcorn (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Banana Buds (QLD)
Banana Leaves (QLD)
Finger Limes (NSW)
Golden Delicious apples (VIC)
Longan (QLD)
Vegetables:
Green Olives - large, raw (NSW)
Kiwiberries (New Zealand)
Papaya - green/cooking (QLD)
Prickly Pear (NSW)
New Season Quince (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Borlotti Beans
Marsh Grapefruit
Yellow Paw Paw
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Blood Orange
BUYER'S GUIDE: 21st Feb 2012 - 27th Feb 2012
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
This week continues to see weather impacting local product, especially ground grown crops.
Fruit:
Cherries, are over and out. Peaches, Nectarines, Plums & Apricots are still available but we will see the end of the Apricots in the next week or two.
Apples are a thumbs up, with New Season red and green on the market. Last but not least, the tropicals; Rambos, Lychees, Carambolas, Custard Apples and Longans are in store and ready to go.
Vegetables:
The wet has taken its toll on local grown crops. All local Asian Vegetables are on the up in price... and if this wet keeps coming they may even be on the short list!
Caulie's are back in price but celery has pushed through the roof!
NSW & VIC crops have been feeling the pressure, so we could see an up in price for the next month on some of the Vegi lines. Everything else is stable for now, as it is mainly QLD supply.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Apples - delicious med (NSW)
Nashi Pears (VIC)
Peaches (VIC)
Rockmelon (NSW)
Seedless Watermelon (NSW)
Vegetables:
Asparagus- medium (Imported)
Capsicum- red (QLD)
Chillies - long red (NSW)
Green Beans (QLD)
Truss tomatoes (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Apples - royal gala (NSW)
Fuji Fruit (QLD)
Currants (NSW)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Rambutan(QLD)
Rhubarb (NSW)
Vegetables:
Samphire (NSW)
Treviso (NSW)
Wasabi Stems (TAS)
Winter Melon (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Yellow Paw Paw
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Blood Orange
Heirloom Tomatoes
Yellow Teardrop Tomatoes
BUYER'S GUIDE: 14th Feb 2012 - 20th Feb 2012
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
This week we will see the real effect of the weather on the local product.
Fruit:
Is less effected than ground grown crops. Holding up are lemons, some apples (Granny Smith being one) and Strawberries- with quality and a very short shelf life being the main problem here.
The rest of the crew is still safe, in good supply and well priced.
Vegetables:
Different story here with mainly the local supplied items, Herbs, Asian Leaf veg, Tomatoes, some Lettuce lines and Caulies being impacted.
The quality of the gear from across the borders is still fine for now (QLD & VIC) but extra demand has pushed prices up.
Still great buying are Beans, Corn, Caps, Zucchini, Chillies and Spuds.
If the sun comes out and stays we should see supply stabilized and prices sit in the buying zone.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Fig Tray (NSW)
Grapes- red seedless (VIC)
Mango (QLD)
Pineapple - Bethonga (QLD)
Vegetables:
Asparagus- medium (Imported)
Carrots - med/lge (SA)
Green Beans (QLD)
Spanish Onion - red (TAS)
Sweetcorn (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Currants (NSW)
Finger Limes (NSW)
Pears- Paradise Cocktail (NSW)
Prickly Pear (NSW)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
French Truffles - extra class (Imported)
Jalapeño Chillies (NSW)
Palm Hearts (Far Nth QLD)
Samphire (NSW)
Wasabi Stems
NOT THIS WEEK:
End of Season:
Cherries
Short Supply:
Heirloom tomatoes
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Mangosteen
Purple Asparagus
BUYER'S GUIDE: 7th Feb 2012 - 13th Feb 2012
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
Considering the poor weather in key growing areas, we are still looking good in terms of supply and price.
Fruit:
Say goodbye to Cherries, as TAS has now ended its season. Next supply will be in June when USA fruit starts.
New Season Apples are in, grapes are in full swing and a solid range of tropical fruits are coming from up north. When it comes to melons- Rocks, Honey, Long and Seedless are all good buying and eating well.
Quality on Strawberries is ranging between 7/10 to 8/10, mainly due to the weather.
Vegetables:
Broccoli and Caulies are up in price while Yellow Squash, Gold Zucchini’s and large Heirlooms Tomatoes are on the short list.
The rest of the tribe are right to go, but we will see some kick up in price on selected lines over the next few weeks.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Fig Tray (NSW)
Lychees (QLD)
Papaya - red (QLD)
Peaches (NSW)
Pineapples (QLD)
Vegetables:
Cos Lettuce - large (VIC)
Eggplant (NSW)
Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
Tomatoes - small (VIC)
Zucchini - green (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Coconut - drinking (Imported)
Dates - California (Imported)
Finger Limes (NSW)
French Truffles - extra class (Imported)
Palm Hearts (Far North QLD)
Papaya - green/cooking (QLD)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Salsify- black (SA)
Winter Melon (QLD)
Wasabi Stems (TAS)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Heirloom tomatoes
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Baby Leeks
Purple Asparagus
Yellow Zucchini
FOUR SEASONS IN ONE DAY
Q: Are seasonal guides redundant now that many produce lines are available year round?
Despite all evidence to the contrary, February is the last month of Summer and soon the hot, sunny days (we were supposed to have) will begin to give way to cooler Autumn months. Inevitably, the changing of the seasons brings new fashion and food trends, which for chef’s means a revamp of the menu.
So, to help ease the burden of menu planning we thought we would literally give you four seasons in one day and attach our new SG&S seasonal charts to this week’s bulletin. These charts serve as a quick reference guide to the fruit & veges you can expect to see in the markets each month.
These charts are also hosted on the Season’s Best section of our blog, however for those who want something more permanent to keep in their kitchen, contact SG&S and we will issue you with a laminated poster version which covers the full year.
Seasonal supply does vary, with individual lines arriving at the market early, late or in fits and starts due to unexpected weather conditions. So, keep an eye on our weekly buyer’s guide. Posted on our blog each Tuesday, these guides outline the week’s best buys, new season stock and any notable gaps in supply. To receive these updates directly, click on the follow button on the blog homepage and enter your email address.
Happy planning!
A: In short, no! We may not live by the Cordoba Calendar anymore (Google that when your bored!) but knowing your seasonal produce is the best way to serve up a cost-effective and reliable menu- rain, hail or shine. Not only will the fruit and veg you use be abundant and therefore cheaper, it will also be more nutritional and taste better, having been harvested at its peak and spared from travelling long distances.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 31st Jan 2012 - 6th Feb 2012
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
Good supplies all round this week. There has been some quality issues due to the rain, but still plenty to chose from.
Fruit:
The weather has hit Strawberries hard this week. Nectarines and Peaches have also seen a slight kick up in price.
New Season Apples are now in. Melons are good quality, good eating and well priced.
If you're looking for something different try Green Cooking Mangos, Lychees, Rambo’s, Starfruit and USA Navels...Very Sweet!
Vegetables:
Some ups and downs this week. in terms of supply and price
Price of Asparagus is back down with some Summer crop from VIC hitting the market. Broccoli and lettuce are also down, while Caulies and Celery are up just a touch.
All in all clear sailing for the week ahead
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Apricot (TAS)
Black Seedless Grapes (VIC)
Fig Tray (NSW)
Navel Oranges (USA-Imported) - very sweet!!
New Season Royal Gala apples (NSW)
Vegetables:
Capsicum - red (QLD)
Eggplant (NSW)
Snow Peas (NSW)
Sweet Corn (NSW) - honey sweet!!
Zucchini - green (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Baby/Young Ginger (QLD)
New Season Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC)
New Season Birdseye Chillies- red (NSW)
Bitter Melon/Gourd (QLD)
Dragon Fruit (QLD)
Kaffir Lime Leaves (QLD)
Papaya - green/cooking (QLD)
Rambutan (QLD)
Royal Blue Potatoes (SA)
Salsify- black (SA)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Heirloom tomatoes
Not Available:
Baby Leeks
Globe Artichokes
Mangosteen
Purple Asparagus
BUYER'S GUIDE: 24/01/12-30/01/12
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
Some movement in the market across both fruit and vegetables. The major factors being weather and some items coming to the end of their season.
Fruit:
New season apples are just starting to appear from QLD.
Plenty of stonefruit with the introduction or cherries and apricots from Tassie. Seedless grapes are in good supply, sweet and excellent quality. Citrus is a mixed bag.
Mangoes are still in good supply but by half, which has pushed the price up. Pineapples & strawberries are up in price due to the weather. There are plenty of rockmelons, honeydews, watermelons (long and seedless), which are all good buying.
Vegetables:
Only a few lines have kicked in this week: iceberg, broccoli and asparagus. Everything else is either the same or down on last week. Plenty of colour and lines to chose from.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Fig Tray (NSW)
Green Seedless Grapes (VIC)
Lychee (QLD)
Peach (NSW)
Red Papaya (QLD)
Vegetables:
Chat (Sml) Potatoes (SA)
Green Zucchini (NSW)
Eggplant (NSW)
Shiitaki Mushrooms (IMP)
Snake Beans (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Apricot (TAS)
New Season Baby (Young) Ginger (QLD)
New Season Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC)
Cherries (TAS)
French Truffles - Extra Class (IMP)
Golden Queen Peaches (VIC)
Green Jalapeno Chillies (QLD)
New Season Pomello (QLD)
Prickly Pear (NSW)
Royal Blue Potatoes (SA)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Heirloom Tomatoes
Not Available:
Asparagus - No 2
Baby Leek
Lotus Root
GONG XI FA CAI- Enter the Year of the Dragon
Fresh Asian products are in good supply this week for Chinese New Year.
We anticipate a drop in supply and push in price after this weekend (for about a week) while the Spring Festival Celebrations take place. These will return to normal by the following week.
Asian Vegetables: Good Supply
Asian Celery - Banana Buds/Bell - Baby Bok Choi - Baby Choi Sum - Betel Leaves - Bitter Melon - Bok Choi - Chinese Broccoli - Chinese Cabbage - Choi Sum - Drinking Coconut - Dry Coconut - Flat Leaf Coriander - Gai Choy - Galangal - Garlic Chives - Garlic Shoots - Green Mangoes - Hairy Melon - Kaffir Lime Leaf - Kaffir Limes - Lemongrass - Long Melon - Luffas - Okra - Ong Choy - Pandan Leaf - Pea Eggplant - Pomelos - Red Eschallots - Shiso Leaf - Sin Que - Snake Beans - Sugar Cane - Taro Root - Thai Basil - Thai Eggplant - Tumeric - Vietnamese Mint - White Radish - Winter Melon
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Jicama - Kachay - Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Plum - Een Choy - JuJu Fruit - Lotus Root - Red Pomelos - Tamarind
Exotic Fruit: Good Supply
Dragonfruit - Figs - Gold Kiwifruit - Kiwifruit - Longan - Lychee - Mango - Mangosteen - Pomegranate - Rambutan - Red Papaya - Star Fruit - Tangellos - Yellow Pawpaw
Exotic Fruit: Not Available
Buddha Hands - Cumquats - Custard Apple - Fuji Fruit - Guava - Loquats - Persimmon - Star Apple - Gold Tamarillos - Red Tamarillos
Enjoy!!
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17/01/12- 23/01/12
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Black Seedless Grapes (QLD)
Blueberries- large (NSW)
Fig Tray (NSW)
Nectarines (VIC)
Vegetables:
Cocktail Chat Potatoes (SA)
New Season Sweet Corn (NSW)
Lebanese Cucumber (NSW)
Rhubarb (NSW)
Tomato- small (VIC)
Yellow Squash (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Apricot (TAS)
New Season Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC)
Golden Queen Peaches (VIC)
Kaffir Limes (QLD)
Longan (QLD)
Mandarin - VIP (IMP)
New Season Pomello (QLD)
Bamboo Shoot (QLD)
Eggplant - seedless (NSW)
French Truffles - Extra Class (IMP)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Heirloom tomatoes
Not Available:
Asparagus - No 2
Lotus Root
Purple Congo Potatoes