How to save money on groceries: the best value fresh produce in Australia this June

Rain, rain and extra rain shouldn’t be the type of climate situation that many fruit and greens lap up and love.

But, in between the ridiculously costly greens like lettuce and the out of season favourites like stone fruit, you possibly can nonetheless discover some scrumptious produce to spruce up weekly meals.

For adventurous cooks, there are a couple of rarer choices getting into the market this month too.

“Generally speaking, it’s a great time for winter veggies,” says Todd Irvine, proprietor of Ziggy’s Fresh in Fyshwick, Canberra, voted 2021 greengrocer of the 12 months in ACT and New South Wales in the Sydney markets fresh awards. “But what we are finding, with the floods in Queensland and rain in Sydney and Victoria, is that a lot of the vegetables are being ruined.

“All of the silverbeet we buy from Sydney has been wiped out.

“Hopefully the rain will settle down and green leafy veggies especially will be cheaper and more plentiful.

Says Sydney Markets’ retail support manager and home economist, Sue Dodd: “Leafy greens are the hardest produce to get at an affordable price right now.”

“At this time of year, the Lockyer Valley in Queensland really becomes one of the major food bowls and farmers there got hit in February and again recently.

“There’s a mixture of problems contributing to high prices, including a labour shortage and petrol and fertiliser costs.

“You need to be very flexible about what you are buying and cooking.”

Rain hardy veggies

Cauliflowers aren’t being affected, nevertheless, and are nonetheless good shopping for at about $3.99 a kilo, says Irvine.

Dodd provides that you will see that broccolini cheaper than broccoli, at about $2.50 to $4 a bunch. Don’t throw away the stems, she says, however chop them finely and use all of the vegetable. “I would also suggest looking at Asian greens.”

Irvine agrees: “Chinese vegetables such as bok choy should be thriving with cooler, fresher mornings, and in plentiful supply in June.” Expect to pay about $2 – $2.50 a bunch.

Chef Paul Bentley from Casa in Mount Hawthorn, Perth, says these greens will be sautéed rapidly with garlic. “I use grapeseed oil with a little sesame oil and, when they are cooked, top the greens with a little bit of dried shrimp.”

Other veggies that received’t break the price range embrace some nice fundamentals from the vitamin A-rich carotenoid household that, like vitamin C, assist with immune operate. “Carrots can be so versatile,” says Dodd. “They can be used in soups, casseroles and as a healthy snack.” You’ll pay about $2 a bag.

Other selections: “Pumpkins are still pretty good value at $2 to $3 a kilo and sweet potatoes are not a bad buy at $2.50 to $4 a kilo.”

Bentley suggests slow-roasting pumpkin and serving it with a macadamia nut puree, one thing that’s certain to please everybody from foodies to fussy eaters.

If you need to be successful with youngsters, it’s also possible to slice candy potato actually finely and bake it with olive oil, salt and pepper till it’s crisp and can be utilized like a chip or tostada or, you may make a dessert out of it. “We add sweet potato puree to an ice-cream base.”

Fruit is faring higher

“Fruit prices are a little bit more stable than veggies,” says Dodd.

“Right now there are beautiful apples of at least 12 different varieties on the market and you will pay $3 to $10 a kilogram depending on the type.

“Pears, mainly from the Shepparton region and Goulburn, are $2.50 to $4.50 a kilo, depending on size and variety.”

For one thing slightly completely different, strive piqa boo pears, which characterize an excellent mix of style and value at $7.99 a kilo.

Sweet, juicy, navel oranges at about $2.99 a kilo, are the best shopping for proper now, says Irvine.

David Stevens, a 3rd technology grower of Ellerslie North Citrus in Mildura, Victoria, says a reasonably dry, windy begin to the season, then a not-too-hot summer time has led to a mean season so far as volumes.

“But we have had a wet break we haven’t seen for decades,” he says. “Citrus trees love rain, especially in an arid climate.”

At the finish of June, be careful for brand new season Queensland strawberries, which ought to come in at an excellent worth.

And now, for one thing completely different

If it’s extra connoisseur grub at your home and much less household fare, it’s your decision to experiment with some extra obscure seasonal buys.

Fennel is now $1.50 to $2.50 a bulb and it’s scrumptious with roast pork, fish, citrus, and even in a salad, says Dodd.

Celeriac is in season, and about $5 a bunch. Bentley suggests making a risotto substituting the celeriac root for rice.

Quinces are additionally in season, however not low-cost, at about $14 a kilo.

You could make custard-like dessert tarts with cooked quinces, ricotta, cream and an egg combine.

Irvine says now in season is the Japanese fruit yuzu, that appears like a lemon, can be utilized in dressing and vinegars to add oomph. “It has had a recent surge in popularity because it is in a Four Pillars gin.” You’ll pay $80 for a tray of excellent fruit.

He additionally recommends Buddha’s fingers, which appear to be squid from outer area, at about $11 a kilo. These fruits are all rind, with no flesh, however they provides you with plentiful “yellow, zesty, pure zest”.

Buy

Broccolini
Asian greens
Carrots
Pumpkin
Potato
Sweet potato
Apples
Pears
Limes
Navel oranges

Avoid

Iceberg lettuce shouldn’t be holding up nicely in the rain and is priced at $7.99 says Dodd.
Zucchinis are beginning to get costly
Silverbeet out of inventory, or about $5 to $6 for a small bunch.

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