As autumn settles in, Australian shoppers are greeted with a bounty of citrus, apples, and brassicas at affordable prices. According to fruit and vegetable experts, May offers excellent value for money on many key items.
Citrus Season Peaks
Imperial mandarins have just started their season, described by Josh Flamminio, owner of Sydney's Galluzzo Fruiterers, as "sweet, low seed, and great for snacking." They retail for $2.99 to $3.99 per kilo in major supermarkets, while at Galluzzo, Queensland-grown imperials are $3.99 to $5.99 per kilo depending on quality. Larger varieties like afourer and daisy are more expensive but offer distinct flavors. "Daisies are really fleshy and even tastier than imperials, in my opinion," Flamminio says.
Australian navel oranges are also back on shelves, creating what Graham Gee, senior buyer at the Happy Apple in Melbourne, calls a "sea of orange in store." Both grocers sell them for under $5 per kilo, while supermarkets price them between $3.30 and $5.50 per kilo, or roughly $1.50 each. To make the most of this citrus bounty, try recipes like Benjamina Ebuehi's orange, grapefruit and bay jelly, Ravneet Gill's portokalopita (Greek orange cake), or Claire Ptak's orange upside-down cake.
Persimmons and Apples
Persimmons are another highlight. Fuyu persimmons, mostly grown in Queensland and New South Wales, are the firmer variety, while the other is soft and custardy. Flamminio sells three persimmons for $10; they are about $2 each at Coles and Woolworths. Try the firmer fruit in Alanna Sapwell's persimmon tarte tatin.
It's prime time for apples, says Flamminio. "Pink ladies, granny smith, kanzis, jazz – all brand-new season, straight off the trees," he notes. "Super sweet and crunchy" missile apples are his pick, though they are more expensive at $10.99 per kilo and up to $15 at the Happy Apple. However, as Gee points out, "the cost per piece isn't so high" due to their smaller size. Spudshed in Western Australia offers all apple varieties for $4.99 per kilo, while gala and granny smith are the cheapest at supermarkets, ranging from $4.90 to $7.90 per kilo. "All apples are good at the moment," says Gee.
Kiwifruit and Brassicas
Green and gold kiwifruit are now in season but remain expensive. Green kiwifruit is about $1 each, gold $1.50 to $1.80 each at supermarkets, and around $15 per kilo at smaller grocers. However, prices for kiwis, blood oranges, pink navel oranges, and red-fleshed cara cara oranges are expected to drop in the coming weeks.
Brussels sprouts are "beautiful" and don't require overcooking, says Gee. After high prices early in the season, they now sell for $5 to $7 per kilo at the Happy Apple, $9 at Galluzzo, and $12.90 at supermarkets. Try Alice Zaslavsky's buttery brussels sprouts with apple and smoked pork belly, Georgina Hayden's roast sprout salad with anchovies and parmesan, or Thomasina Miers' double-cooked sprouts with soy and miso over silken tofu and soba.
Avocados, Silverbeet, and Pumpkin
New season hass avocados have just started, priced at $3 for a large one or $2 for a smaller grade, says Flamminio. Pricing is steady as north Queensland supply comes to market. Shepards remain good value at $1.30 to $1.50 each in supermarkets.
Silverbeet is "gorgeous at the moment" and good value, with bunches selling for $3 that are "humongous." Green beans and snow peas are also in good supply. Machine-picked beans are $3.99 per kilo, while hand-picked beans are about $13.99 for the best quality.
Pumpkin is plentiful, whether butternut, kent, or Queensland blue. "Expect to pay less than $3 a pumpkin now or very soon," says Gee. Try José Pizarro's pumpkin pisto or Alice Zaslavsky's pumpkin, sweet potato and coconut dal.
Other Seasonal Items
Broccoli ($3 per kilo), kale ($3 per bunch), cauliflower ($5 per head), and cabbage ($5 per head) are all in good supply. At Spudshed in Western Australia, cabbage is even cheaper at $2.99 per head. Cabbage is versatile: try Thomasina Miers' charred cabbage with artichokes and chestnuts, Alex Elliott-Howery's quick pickled cabbage, or Meera Sodha's white cabbage, peanut butter and gochujang noodles.
Chestnuts and Blueberries
Chestnuts are a focal point for the next three months, says Flamminio. "I cooked them the other night, they're gorgeous." They range from $5 to $8 per kilo, up to $12.99 for jumbo size. "I like to spend extra on the bigger ones, as you get more of that nutty flesh," he adds. Hill Street Grocer in Tasmania recommends scoring a cross in the shells before roasting to prevent explosions. Yotam Ottolenghi uses cooked chestnuts as stuffing for roast poussins with pancetta and pear; they also work in risotto, hummus, soup, and carbonara. Coles and Woolworths sell large chestnuts for $11.90 to $12.90 per kilo. Gee's tip: "Store them in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Don't keep them in the pantry as they'll lose their moisture."
Blueberries are expensive and not the best quality, says Gee, at $8 to $10 for a 125g punnet. He recommends buying frozen or waiting until supply from Coffs Harbour picks up.
What to Avoid
Asparagus is best avoided as most is imported; opt for snow peas or sugar snaps instead. Red capsicum prices fluctuate, but relief is expected with the Queensland season.
In summary, buy apples, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, cavolo nero, celery, chestnuts, fennel, grapes, green beans, kale, lemons, mandarins, oranges, persimmons, pumpkin, silverbeet, and snow peas. Watch kiwis and red capsicums for price drops. Avoid asparagus, blueberries, and zucchinis as they are out of season or expensive.
