#Adelaide Central Market Watch #17

As we head into winter, food prices in the ACM are bucking the trend by going down not up.

Fruit And Veg

Local orange prices are coming down as Australian exports face tougher international competition. Mandarins from Paringa, SA, have also come down in price and are 2kg for $5 at McMahons. Limes at Stall 69 are an all time low at $2.50 kg, Adelaide Hills rhubarb is $11.99kg, bunches of leeks and baby beets are both $3.99. Look for the new Kestrel potato for $2kg. Stall 69 owner, Lee, has a snappy recipe card using new purple potato. "BBQ potato with roast garlic aioli and rocket-asparagus salad." Thompsons at S26/27 best buys are pears, broccoli and brown onions all under $3kg. Seven Sisters S54 prices are always low and this week apples are $1.99kg and spinach bunches $2.50kg.

Olives and Oil

The humble olive needs its own section at this time of year. Olives are being picked right across SA. Now is the time to pounce on the local fruit and cure them. Jagger S38, has 21 varieties already cured and swimming in oils, spices and brines. Con's range at S18/19 is in 12 styles and Good Cuisine (S10) has a range of 24 that includes the pale-coloured 'blond Gummeracha'.

The new season oils are arriving and the 2011 Rio Vista Olive Oil is available as an $11 cleanskin 750ml from Providore S66. The extra virgin oil is cloudy to look at, has peppery and bitter tastes and clear granny smith apple characters.

Meat and Seafood

Samtass whole flathead is such a good fish to BBQ. SA species is $11.99kg and the dark skinned Victorian Tiger flathead is $12.99kg. Rub with Asian curry pastes, lay on a bed of lemongrass stalks, seal in alfoil and BBQ for 20 minutes. Serve whole with baked rice.Pork continues to hold the best price at the moment. Rolled pork roast $5.98 kg from Tony O'Connell. Perfect for Schweinebraten, the traditional German caraway seed-roasted pork with dumplings, red cabbage and apple sauce.

Special

Charlesworth Licorice Allsorts are selling a 'Grab-a-Bag' 485gm bag for $5. I could not resist. The allsorts are made of liquorice, sugar, coconut, aniseed jelly, fruit flavourings, and gelatine. Uber-sweet yellow, pink, green and white fondant sandwiched between firm black licorice – a sweet way to finish the Market shopping.

Seven Sisters, Adelaide Central Market

Thompsons , Adelaide Central Market



Stall 69, Adelaide Central Market



Stall 69 owner, Lea Bugeya

Stephan , Owner McMahons, Adelaide Central Market

Samtass, Kings of the Sea, Gus, Sam and Kosta

Market Watch #7 Published 30.3.11 Advertiser #Adelaide

 As Easter approaches, hot-cross bun aficionados are beginning their research for the best ACM buns. The sweet, spiced buns, made with fruit and leavened with yeast are topped with a cross, symbolising the Crucifixion in modern times. Already three stalls are in the run-up. This year chocolate buns are mounting a competitive challenge.

Fruit & Veg

The once in twenty-year weather conditions this summer are responsible for the seasonal incongruities of supply to the market. Winter conditions are affecting normal summer crops, so we are anticipating less late summer vegetables and higher prices. Yet, for stone-fruit, the season is extending to be one of the best ever. Tomato prices rise as the cold sets in and Riverland rockmelons can’t be picked due to 4-5 inches of rain. Peaches and nectarines are still fantastic.

ACM prices always reflect value with carrots $1.99 kg, corn $1 ea, asparagus two bunches for $5 and rhubarb $9,99kg from Nick at Aubergines Stall 57. Mario from Greensides Stall 56 has local garlic three for $2, baby eggplant from his own garden (Oh Yum) at $4.99kg, Damson plums $3.99kg and the first, as usual, local quinces for $3.99kg. Californian mandarins (check for stickers) and are $6.95kg, broccoli $3.50kg and pears and limes are abundant, cheap and delicious.

Search out Cambodian-born Rom, one of the only ACM stallholders who is also a grower and the owner of Bill B’-Stall 37. Chillies, flat beans $8,50kg, hot banana capsicums and his long baby eggplants shine out at $4.99. Rom’s stall has the only remaining electronic conveyor belt to load stock upstairs. Heritage protection?

Meat & Poultry

With the cold snap and high lamb prices, try turkey legs. There is a secret to removing the sinew so ask Tony O’Connell and get his recipes for turkey soups and roasts. Tony’s tequila and lime pork chops $8.90 kg are heart warmers. Feast Fine Foods boned ducks and beef cheeks are perfect to try your French bistro meals and terrines at home.

Sweet Things

Glacé apricots and figs filled with mascarpone from Leo’s are heaven sent. From $1.90 each.

The ACM Hot Cross Bun Challenge

Email and let me know your favourite bun and where you bought it. The best will be judged by the number of votes.

Special

Samtass Seafood, named after brothers Sam and Tass, has a pre-Easter seafood brochure offering up to 50 per cent discount on 16 major lines. 40 percent OFF SA Spencer Gulf cooked Extra Large prawns...save $12 per kilo Pay $18.99 kg.