Grapes, persimmons, zucchinis and much more!

Grapes ……  this week!

At last the long awaited grape season commences at the market THIS WEEK. The black muscat grape is a popular medium sized dark grape, very sweet in flavor and fresh from the vine to you! Visit Michelle or Gavin at the TANZO stall.

Persimmons

Persimmons are a wonderful fruit that tastes, interestingly, a lot like honey if you ripen them well. Usually an autumn fruit Sylva Lining Organics has this fruit already so venture outside the square and try them. And be inspired by Poh Lings story ….

One person impatiently anticipating the harvest of the yellowy-orange fruit  is Poh Ling Yeow, persimmon-lover, presenter of ABC’s Poh Lends a Hand, best-selling author and MasterChef all-star.


Poh says that 
“despite the fact that persimmons have been grown here for decades, many Aussies are yet to try this exotic fruit, so this season I’m challenging everyone to be adventurous and give them a go. Persimmons truly are the perfect addition to your autumn eating agenda offering an almost indescribable subtle, sweet flavour and fantastic textures to boot,” she said.

Poh said she grew up eating sweet persimmons, which are best devoured crunchy and firm like an apple, but now also enjoys the original variety, which is ready for eating when the flesh is soft, jelly-like and sweet.

”I think the best way to enjoy persimmons is fresh. I like to peel and quarter the sweet type as it’s a brilliantly clean, tasty and healthy snack. With the original, I love to tear or cut away the calyx, or the top, then scoop into nature’s little bowl of ready-made, sweet, silky jelly.”

”Persimmons also make an amazing addition to salads, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness, and team well with strong cheeses, bitter leaves and nuts. Soft, gooey original persimmons or sweet ones that have gone beyond their firm stage are also great for cooking – just pop them into a cake or muffin mix for an autumnal update to your traditional baked goods,” Poh said.


Along with their flavour credentials, persimmons have double the dietary fibre of apples, are high in anti-oxidants and are an excellent source of Vitamin C and beta carotene.

Article extract is by Edwina Brook, Crossman Communicationshttp://www.persimmonsaustralia.com.a

Zucchinis

Zucchinis – are a bountiful summer vegetable and they are plentiful at the market now. Being high in Vitamin A and low in calories there are so many ways to use this vegetable from savoury to sweet.  Zucchini bread, feta zucchini loaf, in a variety of frittatas….. but I love this one

zucchini-rounds-hl-1886443-xCrunchy Zucchini Rounds With Sun-Dried Tomatoes (from Rainbow Fruit Flat or Spice Palace) and Goats Cheese (from Nimbin Valley Dairy)!!

Recipe for this can be found at

http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000001886443,00.html