Vegetable siblings celery and celeriac are in peak condition this month, according to Graham Gee, a senior buyer at the Happy Apple in Melbourne. Both are described as “very good” quality with “plenty of supply”. Gee advises enjoying celeriac now, as they begin to shrink in size and become less available as the weather warms. The Happy Apple and Panetta Mercato are selling them for $5 a piece.
Recipe Ideas for Celeriac and Celery
For a unique taco filling, Alice Zaslavsky roasts celeriac wedges until caramelised on the outside and fluffy inside, yielding a “surprisingly meaty” flavour. Alternatively, celeriac can be baked whole or used in a hearty soup, as in Anna Jones's recipe combining it with leeks, apples, and butter beans.
Michael Hsu, operational manager at Sydney's Panetta Mercato, notes an abundance of celery from Victoria and local growers. Gee agrees, saying, “Everybody should be eating crunchy water.” Celery is priced at $2.50 a bunch at the Happy Apple, Panetta Mercato, and Perth's Spudshed, while supermarkets charge $4.
For cooking, Yotam Ottolenghi's herby chicken stew requires 600g of celery (about half to three-quarters of a bunch), while Meera Sodha's congee uses about half a bunch, with part pickled and the rest in an aromatic mirepoix.
Blood Oranges and Strawberries in Season
Dean Lamb, owner of Watts Fresh in Kyneton, Victoria, says it's still a good time for citrus, with blood oranges joining imperial mandarins and dekopons. Blood oranges cost between $4.50 and $5.90 per kilo at supermarkets and $4 per kilo at Watts Fresh and Panetta Mercato. They can be used in sweet or savoury dishes, such as Anna Jones's warm kale salad or rooibos-infused mini cakes.
Gee is excited about the “heaps” of strawberries available, noting, “It's been a while since we've had a really good supply.” Premium punnets cost $3.50 to $4.50, with Spudshed at $3.99 and supermarkets at $4. They can be used in Benjamin Ebuehi's lemon cake or Marie Frank's strawberry shortcakes.
Zucchini, Corn, and Leafy Greens
Hsu reports that zucchini and corn are doing well, with supply from Queensland and New South Wales. Zucchini is $4 per kilo at Panetta Mercato, $6 at Watts Fresh, and $4.90 at supermarkets. Corn is particularly sweet, priced at $2.50 per piece at Panetta Mercato, $1.50 at the Happy Apple, and $1.70–$1.90 at supermarkets.
Spinach, kale, and silverbeet are also going “really well”, says Gee, with bunches at $4–$5 at the Happy Apple and $2–$3 at Spudshed.
Spring Onions and Asparagus Affected by Weather
Spring onions have been “bit small” due to colder weather, making them more expensive, says Gee. Hsu notes they're about $3 a bunch compared to the typical $1.50. Asparagus supply is limited, with the season starting late, according to Lamb, but it should pick up at the end of the month and peak in September and October.
Mangoes Arrive Early
The first mangoes have landed from the Northern Territory, with the season starting earlier than usual. All three experts say they're currently expensive at $7–$8 each but will drop as more crops ripen. Gee says, “We should expect a long Darwin season for mangoes this year.”
What to Buy, Watch, and Avoid
Buy: apples, blood oranges, celeriac, celery, corn, English spinach, fennel, kale, leeks, mandarins, pears, radicchio, silverbeet, strawberries, zucchini. Watch: asparagus (season just starting) and mango (season just starting). Avoid: grapes (end of season) and spring onions (weather-affected).
