IN FRUIT
Lots of wonderful Autumn fruit is coming into our stores this week. The two standouts here are new season Australian pomegranates and fuyu fruit. The pomegranates I have discussed at length in my pick of the week section, the timing is fantastic for these as they are always in high demand this week as we celebrate the Passover. Fuyu fruit are often referred to as persimmons - but I think of the old fashioned persimmons that are soft and sweet, that we always knew as persimmons, not this hard fuyu fruit. Bananas of all types continue to be oversupplied and cheap. Back to school next week, which always increases demand so prices will probably firm a little next week and more so the week after as backlogs are cleared. Lots of limes and nets of passionfruit in the stores, small avocados continue to represent the best value and the all apples and grapes are good. I think this is the week to start buying mandarins. Unusual for early in the season, the smaller fruit is better eating than the large fruit. So lots of great options… I ate a golden delicious apple yesterday and because we are now insisting on ripe yellow fruit not the green fruit, the major supermarkets got our growers to harvest before they discontinued buying the variety, it was a refreshing change.
IN VEGETABLE
All pumpkin are at their best at this time and also at their cheapest. Low freight costs due to the proximity of the growing areas means bargain prices and the maturity means it is eating at its best. Beans have continued to get cheaper as have zucchinis which are eating fantastically right now. I had some zucchini on the barby last night brushed with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt with eggplant and red caps, superb complement to the butterflied leg of lamb. Jap pumpkin thin sliced and cooked the same way is great too!
