What To Buy At The Farmers Market
(This Winter)
Winter is the quiet hero of the Sydney Market calendar.
Not many people brave the cold mornings… so my beautiful people…. there’s your incentive. It’s a lot more tame than usual, and it means you can slow your pace right down. No hard shoulder grazing, awkward bump ins or lining up to pay (not guaranteed, it depends on your market and whether the locals are committed enough)
Anyway here’s what’s worth filling your Wicker bag up with this month (and ideas on what you can make with it):
Citrus
Citrus is having a moment, especially blood oranges, mandarins and lemons. Dress up a fennel winter salad with some slices of blood orange to make it just that bit more elite. Mandarins obviously get thrown into kids lunchboxes but I’m sure I’ve seen a few recipes floating around where you can peel them and roast them alongside chicken thighs and a honey glaze.
Citrus at Ritas Farm
Apples and Pears
I know I mentioned these last time, and they’re usually an all year round type fruit HOWEVER, please for your guts sake try stewed apples. They are my favourite Winter addition and I add them to my yoghurt pots. Stewing (boiling) apples breaks down their walls, making them easier to digest and releases a soluble fiber called pectin which is excellent for our guts!! i.e our second brains.
Or stew apples and pears together, throw some raspberries on top and then make a quick crumble for the best Winter dessert. The options are endless here.
Organic Pink Lady Apples $8.80 per kg at Ritas Farm
Stewed apples on top of a homemade yoghurt pot
Kale, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage
If you’re anything like me and tried kale once then decided it was bitter and never gave it a go again. Take this as your sign to try it once more. Perfect as kale crisps in the oven or alternatively stir it in fifteen minutes before your soup finishes cooking. Just be sure to wash these thoroughly, snails love them for homes too.. no I’m not joking.
Kale bunch at Ritas Farm
Shave brussel sprouts and cabbage finely and mix into a salad with nuts and dried cranberries! Another Winter salad that’s more impressive than cucumbers and tomato. C’mon be a little different.
Pumpkin and Potato
This is root vegetable season properly. Personally, I love slow roasting pumpkin and potato or throwing potatoes into minestrone soups. For extra warmth and ease, make pumpkin soup! So easy.. I also have a recipe here where you can incorporate some sweet potato into brownies - again I’m not joking.
Organic Sweet Potato $6.80/kg at Rita’s Farm
Truffle Season
Australian truffle season is upon us too, sourced from regions like Manjimup in WA, the Southern Tablelands and Canberra region. Carriageworks Farmers Market is your best bet in Sydney for getting your hands on the real thing locally, look for stalls like Hartley Truffles.
Where to go
Carriageworks Farmers Market - (Eveleigh, Saturdays)
Any Organic Foodies Market - See our article here for their timetable
