Fresh tips from our friends at New World ensuring that you end up with only the best in season produce in your trolley this week.
FRESH IN: It's officially spring although the produce we associate with the season (asparagus, strawberries, we're looking at you) is always slow to catch up with the news. Local asparagus has started to trickle into supermarkets but should be more available in a couple of weeks; local strawberries, a bit later than that. Meanwhile, supplies of rocket, which have been down over the last few weeks, are set to improve. Rocket grows best in spring and autumn.
Broccoli, rocket and almond pesto
“The rocket sold in New World supermarkets comes mainly from South Auckland and the Waikato and adds a great pepper hit to salads” says New World Fresh Expert Brigit Corson. Celery and watercress, which is more readily available in cooler months, will add variety to salads and sandwiches now too. Watercress makes a great, peppery addition to soups if the weather still feels more ‘winter’ than anything else. In supermarkets, supply remains good for kumaras and yams, along with broccoli, brussels sprouts, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower and leafy greens. The avocado bonanza continues.
LOOK FOR: lemonade citrus, available in small quantities from local growers – and then for a short time only. Looking like a lemon, the lemonade is a hybrid, believed to be a cross between a mandarin and a Meyer lemon. They are sweeter and much less acidic than regular lemons. As the name suggests, they really do make great lemonade. Like all citrus, lemonades will last longer if kept stored in the fridge. "Now is the time to look for new season potatoes. Perlas are out now with new Agria and Ilam hardy varieties due over the next few weeks" says Brigit "and new season Eggplant has also started – it's looking at its best and plentiful right now and you can expect to see some great prices at your local store". In New World supermarkets, imported coconuts, pineapples and mangoes, along with Australian strawberries, should keep winter-jaded palates happy. Local navel oranges and afourer mandarins are sweet-eating and very good buying too.
MOVING ON: The local lime season has all but ended. Yams are coming to an end too.