Winter has arrived, and with it comes a bounty of fresh produce that offers both quality and value. According to Graham Gee, senior buyer at the Happy Apple in Melbourne, cauliflowers are at their peak during the colder months. "They're big, dense, and weighty," he says, noting that whole cauliflowers are currently selling for just $3.10 at his store. At The Good Grocer in Perth, they're priced at $4.99 each, while supermarkets offer them for $3.50. The best quality comes from southern Australia, particularly the Werribee and Peninsula regions.
For those looking to make the most of this hearty brassica, Gee recommends a classic cauliflower cheese. Felicity Cloake has a perfect recipe, while Tom Hunt offers a vibrant twist with red Leicester cheese. Meera Sodha's vegan version features roasted florets on a bed of harissa pilaf, and Thomasina Miers incorporates cauliflower into a delicious curry. If you're feeling adventurous, try fioretto (also known as caulilini), a hybrid with a sweet, mild flavor and creamy crunch. Unlike traditional cauliflower, fioretto can be eaten from stalk to tip, making it ideal for stir-fries or as a side dish. The Happy Apple sells it for $5.99 per kilo.
Pears are another standout for June, with new-season varieties like packhams, reds, boscs, and corellas now available. At The Good Grocer, prices range from $8.99 to $9.99 per kilo, roughly $2 per piece. Michael Hsu, operational manager at Sydney's Panetta Mercato, recommends piqa boo pears, which are smaller, red-tinged, and particularly juicy. They're selling for $4.99 a kilo. For a simple breakfast, try Anna Jones's porridge with warm spiced pear and maple syrup. For a savory option, Alice Zaslavsky's parsnip and pear soup with a cheesy gratin top is a winner.
Citrus fruits, especially mandarins, continue to shine this month. Gee highlights "really good" imperials and afourers, available at the Happy Apple and Panetta Mercato for $3.99 per kilo. Supermarkets offer imperials for $4.50 to $5.30 per kilo. If you've been disappointed by dry imperials, try honey murcotts, which are darker orange and harder to peel but sweeter and juicier. Joshua Brindle, fresh produce buyer for The Good Grocer, calls them his favorite, while Hsu expects them in two to three weeks.
Broccoli is also in great supply, thanks to favorable growing conditions in southern regions. Brindle notes that Western Australia's local season will yield larger heads with a deeper green hue. The Good Grocer sells it for $9.99 per kilo, the Happy Apple for $6.30, and supermarkets for around $5. For a quick meal, whiz broccoli into pesto or try Meera Sodha's one-pot broccoli, fennel, and chickpea stew with orzo.
Butternut pumpkin is another excellent choice, with good quality and supply. In Donnybrook, south of Perth, crops are thriving. The Good Grocer offers it for $2.99 per kilo or about $4.50 each, while Panetta Mercato charges $8 each, and supermarkets range from $7 to $7.80. Alice Zaslavsky's pumpkin fritters and pickles with chickpea couscous make a satisfying two-in-one meal.
However, Gee advises holding off on hass avocados and strawberries, as the southern season is ending and northern supply hasn't yet ramped up. Avocados are currently $2 each, but prices should drop in the coming weeks. Hsu recommends avoiding grapes, as most varieties have finished for the season. Other items to skip include asparagus (imported), figs, pineapple, and rockmelon, all at the end of their seasons.
In summary, June's best buys are cauliflowers, pears, mandarins, broccoli, and butternut pumpkin. For optimal flavor and value, stick with these seasonal stars and save others for later months.
