In season produce tips from the New World fresh experts.
FRESH IN: Golden tatura – very similar to their close relative golden queens - has joined the peach line-up in stores so get out the preserving pans. These make the best bottled fruit but are also sweet, firm and very flavoursome to eat as is, of course. They are a bit pricier than the white and yellow peaches on offer in supermarkets right now but they will become more affordable as the season progresses.
Fresh peach cake
Meanwhile you’ll find plenty of other stone fruit options as you shop, including apricots and crunchy Central Otago cherries. USA Meyer lemons have been in short supply, but the drought is over. “Delicious new season green pears from Hawkes Bay and Gisborne have just arrived in-store, they’re good buying and prices will continue to ease as we reach peak season around mid-February – March,” says New World Fresh Expert Brigit Corson. You’ll find decent supplies of ripe raspberries and blueberries at your local New World but prices aren’t as delectable as they were as we near the end of the berry season. Our sweet local watermelons are in great supply - rock melons and honey dews have been a bit slower off the blocks this year due to a cooler start to the summer but with some warmer weather on the horizon we’ll see supplies flourish,” says Brigit. Imported whole pomegranates and trays of pomegranate arils are still available. Courgettes and sweetcorn are great buying and good quality.
LOOK FOR: the arrival of the first passionfruit — popping up in-stores in February. They’ll stick around for a good long time, fortunately, and are in season until July. You’ll find locally grown snakebeans in markets and Asian stores now too. These slender, tender (also known as yard-long) beans are a mainstay in Southeast Asian, Chinese and Indian cuisines. Still talking beans, there are good quantities of local round beans in supermarkets too and you may also spot flat beans and butterbeans in the produce aisles.
MOVING ON: While not exactly disappearing, cauliflower is in short supply. There has been a bit of an issue with broccoli too — the cooler weather to blame. Green apples and brown pears are in short supply as well but there will be lots to choose from soon with the upcoming new apple and pear season.