Wow! Autumn really has kicked in with some cooler weather!
The changing colours in the trees signals not just the change in the season but also the change in peoples eating habits. The much-loved staples of the summer menu have faded for the warming and hearty veg we crave as the temperature drops.
- Parsnips, leeks, celeriac, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts and spuds are all top of mind as people turn to old favourites for hearty stews, casseroles and soups. Quality of all these lines is excellent, but slightly lower production and high demand has kept market prices relatively high for this time of year.
- Some larger growers have had crop gaps, this is especially noticeable with cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower demanding slightly higher than usual prices. While we might be unhappy with the higher prices instore, it is good to see growers getting good returns as many have been selling below the cost of production for some months.
- We have some excellent late autumn yellow flesh peaches, Flavour Fall plums and September Candy plums, but this really will be the last hoorah for stone fruit.
- In the apple range we now have new season bravo, gala, golden del, jazz, kanzi and a new exciting apple, snap dragon. Pears too are abundant with lots of varieties to choose from.
- Quince have also hit peak supply (just $2.49-kg) so now is your chance to make some quince preserves for the Kyneton Show or gifts for family and friends. Don’t miss out!
- . Autumn is also a great time for tropical fruits with guava, pineapple, custard apples and Jujube in store, and my all time favourite, persimmons. If you are not already eating persimmons you are definitely missing out. While I like persimmons fresh, they are a real treat peeled, cut in half and fried with a little brown sugar to caramelise and then dished up with some great vanilla ice-cream.
- So there are plenty of options to make your autumn meals something really special, so get cooking and take time to smell the quinces.
Cheers, Dean
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