The warmer weather of the past couple of weeks has seen an increase in supply of many fresh produce lines coming through the Brisbane Markets on their way to your local independent fruit and veg shop who are always your best choice for quality, freshness and service.
Our pick of the week is Bok Choy from the Lockyer Valley. Bok Choy, including the smaller, sweeter Baby Bok Choy, and other Asian greens such as Choy Sum and Wombok, are versatile and highly nutritious. They can be eaten raw or steamed, braised, or stir fried. Serve them as a side dish, in stir fries or as a base for dumplings. They are high in vitamins A, C and K and minerals including potassium, magnesium, selenium and iron. For a simple side dish that packs a flavour punch try Garlic Bok Choy.
The Lockyer Valley is living up to its reputation as one of the most fertile growing regions in Australia sending good supplies of Carrots, Lettuce and Spinach to the Brisbane Markets along with the cruciferous cousins Cabbage, Cauliflower and Broccoli. These latter three are among the most nutrient-dense vegetables delivering dietary fibre, vitamins A, C, E and K, minerals including iron, calcium and potassium and a range of powerful antioxidants. Double down with this Spiced Chicken with Cauliflower and Broccoli Tabbouleh.
There are good supplies of Gourmet Tomatoes, Kent Pumpkin and Sweet Corn from the Bowen Gumlu growing region. Sweet Corn is both delicious and nutritious delivering a variety of B Vitamins and dietary fibre. Serve it on the cob steamed, boiled, or barbecued or use the kernels in recipes like Crispy Corn Cakes with Avocado Almond Salsa.
Sunshine Coast Strawberries are in good supply as is citrus including Mandarins from Gayndah and Blood Oranges from New South Wales. Blood Oranges are sweeter and less acidic than common oranges and their red flesh contains anthocyanins that assist with preventing inflammation, reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes and improve memory and brain health.
Supplies of Papaya from Far North Queensland are increasing as growers recover from the devastating floods that followed Cyclone Jasper at the end of 2023. Papaya, not to be confused with its close cousin Papaw, is a tropical superfood. A 150g serve provides an Australian adult with their entire daily vitamin C needs, almost a third of daily vitamin A requirements and more than a quarter of daily folate needs. Papaya also contains a unique combination of antioxidant carotenoids. For an indulgent weekend breakfast try these Breakfast Crepes with Papaya and Passionfruit Glaze.
We are coming into the best time of the year for fresh seasonal fruit and veg with quality and variety going up while prices come down. Shop where you see the A Better Choice! logo and enjoy the freshest, highest quality fruit and veg sourced daily from the Brisbane Markets.
About Brisbane Markets
As Queensland’s only central fruit and vegetable market, the Brisbane Markets is the state’s most important centre for the marketing and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. It records an annual trade of over 700 million kilograms of produce valued at more than $2 billion.
An important economic and employment hub, more than 4,500 people work or do business at the markets each day through over 170 businesses. This includes over 50 wholesalers who receive fresh produce from over 7,000 growers and trade five days a week to more than 800 registered buyers.
Your local A better choice! fruit and veg shop hand picks their produce from the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea, which comes from thousands of Australian farms. Why not call in and see your local fruit and veg shop for the best quality, choice, freshness, and service available!
