Hurrah for summer produce!

Our friends at Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association give us the low-down on what to look out for at the markets now that summer is on its way.  Find a market near you on their website.

We’re looking forward to feasting on luscious strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, melons and plums. Tree-ripened fruit direct from the grower are extra sweet and juicy as their natural sugars have fully developed. Look hard and you’ll also find gooseberries, mulberries, youngberries, marionberries, boysenberries and silvanberries too. Make a summer pudding, serve atop pancakes or in baked goods, turn into jam or simply graze from a fruit bowl.

The bbq is bound to get a workout with burgers, fish, chops, steaks, ribs and sausages of all kinds available from local, ethically-raised turkey, venison, goat, lamb, pork and beef, even buffalo meat.

Salads come into their own with loads of lettuces about, basil, garlic, mint, dill, coriander, nasturtiums, oregano and flat-leaf parsley giving texture and flavour hits. Sweet corn, new potatoes, peas, beans, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, snow peas, cucumbers, avocado and onions will all appear on our tables too.  A glass of local wine and we’re in heaven!

Farmers’ markets Christmas opening times

Sat Dec 17
Boroondara (Hawthorn),Echuca, Gasworks (Albert Park), Lancefield, Mansfield: all at regular times

Sun Dec 18
Flemington: regular times

Twilight markets:

Tues Dec 20
Hurstbridge: 4-8pm

Wed Dec 21
Kingston: 4-7.30pm
Veg Out (St Kilda): 3-8pm

Thurs Dec 22
Casey-Berick: 4-8pm

Sat Dec 24
Slow Food Melbourne (Abbotsford Convent): regular times

There’s also a market on the day of NY Eve, Sat 31st at Boroondara in Hawthorn.