Find out what's in, what's out and what's the best buying in the produce department, thanks to our friends at New World.
FRESH IN: Loose asparagus has arrived in supermarkets and is only going to get cheaper and more consistently sized as the season progresses. Asparagus will start to slip away again in December so it's a springtime must-eat!
“Our fresh local asparagus is hand-picked spear by spear from the flatlands of the Horowhenua and Waikato – look for it at a deliciously good price at New World this week,” New World fresh expert Brigit Corson says.
Give sweet stem cauliflower a try as well over spring. It looks like the white version of broccolini – individual florets with long green stems but with snowy tops which are looser than those cut from full-sized cauliflowers. The whole thing is edible, tasting sweet and nutty and without the usual brassica cooking smells.
Local tangelos are here at last along with Australian blood oranges. The greens – spinach, silverbeet and lettuces – are all looking good. Capsicums are nice and affordable. Avocados remain excellent buying and there are small quantities of local cherimoyas and blueberries in supermarkets now too.
Asparagus, ham and gruyere tart
LOOK OUT FOR: Local outdoor courgettes. The courgettes in supermarkets right now are grown in hothouses but the outdoor ones will replace them soon. Weather calamities aside, we can expect prices to lower as the volume increases. "We're expecting lots of lovely courgettes in October so get your spiraliser ready as they'll be great value," says Brigit.
If you frequent farmers' markets you may be able to nab some courgette flowers too – for stuffing with goat's cheese or ricotta, or to add to salads.
MOVING ON: It's see-you-next-winter to purple and yellow carrots and brussels sprouts. Brassicas are also a bit short in supply at the moment but will become more plentiful again in a few weeks.