Fresh Food Club - What's in season?

This week, treat yourself to new-season pears, including the adorable miniature paradise pears, Williams and the new vibrant QTee pears. Grown in Batlow, QTee pears—also known as Celina pears—are known for their striking red blush, crisp texture, and sweet, juicy flavour. Originating in Norway, QTee pears were introduced globally in 2014 and are a cross between the Williams pear and the stunning red-blushed French variety, Coloree de Juillet. To enjoy them at their best, ripen QTee pears at room temperature in your fruit bowl, keeping them separate from stonefruit.

Soft, delicate figs are scrumptious tossed into a salad with a little prosciutto and feta cheese or roasted in the oven on a tray with a drizzle of honey for a delicious dessert.

New-season Gala apples are back and ready to enjoy at your local greengrocer! Looking to try something different? Check out the SweeTango apples, a unique variety grown in orchards from Shepparton to the Yarra Valley. These apples hold the Guinness World Record for the loudest crunch—making them as exciting to eat as they are delicious

Dragon fruit, comes in two stunning varieties: one with crimson-red flesh and the other with white flesh, both dotted with tiny edible black seeds. For a simple and delicious way to enjoy dragon fruit, scoop the flesh straight from the skin or dice it into cubes, and add to a vibrant fruit salad or smoothie bowl.

Snap sweet and juicy lychees this week to enjoy for Lunar New Year. The season is ending shortly, and you don’t want to miss out on these exquisite tropical fruits.

Another favourite for Chinese New Year are longan, also known as ‘Dragons’ Eyes,’ are sold in clusters still attached to branches. Longans, have a sweet, jelly-like flesh similar to a lychee

It’s been a bumper season for quality, full-flavour-packed peaches and nectarines. The luscious juicy fruits are now coming from Swan Hill and Shepparton. Make the most of fruit while they’re in peak supply.

Tangy limes are in abundance and great value this week. To get the most juice from a lime, roll it firmly between your palm and the benchtop before cutting and juicing. For a zesty twist, try a coriander, mint, and lime chicken noodle salad—the lime dressing makes it absolutely irresistible!

Golden-fleshed pineapples are back on the shelves and are super sweet eating. Pineapple can be kept for a few days at room temperature, but ensure that you wrap cut pineapple in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge

Watermelon, ripe and ready to eat, is a sweet choice for summer. Choose pink-fleshed cut watermelon, for a simple dessert of chilled juicy wedges topped with diced Turkish delight

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a delicious banquet featuring fresh Asian greens like bok choy! Need inspiration? Click here for recipe ideas. Known as Shanghai bok choy in NSW, this versatile green is perfect for stir-fries or steaming. Simply sauté the tender, pale green leaves and stems with garlic and soy sauce for a simple, flavourful dish. Mild in flavour and easy to prepare, bok choy is an excellent buy this week

On choy, also known as water spinach or kang kong, is in season and available at your local greengrocer. This delicate, leafy green is a vibrant and delicious choice for stir-fries. Toss it with other vegetables or stir-fry a few bunches with XO sauce, garlic, and ginger for a quick and flavourful dish.

Snake beans continue to be a great buy. Ideal for Asian dishes and stir-fries, snakes are delicious teamed with flavours like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, pork mince, dried shrimp, chilli, sesame, peanut, coconut milk, lemongrass and fresh herbs

Pick up a large bunch of green onions, also sold as shallots, as this week. Add sliced green onions to salads, scrambled eggs, pasta dishes or sandwich fillings for a delicate onion flavour.

This week, versatile eggplants are a superb buy. Fresh, young eggplants do not require, disgorging (salting) unless you intend deep-frying. Cut eggplant into 1 cm slices, brush with olive oil and grill until soft and golden. Whip a delicious eggplant schnitzel, add to a pizza topping or air fry diced eggplant and add to salads.

Radishes are totally underrated. Their crisp texture and mild mustard flavour add a delicious pop of flavour and texture to summer salads.