At the Market

cooking melbourne

Discovering Melbourne's Artisan Foods and Produce

Greengages – Reine Claude

There are lots of plum varieties around the shops and markets now but worth looking out for are greengages. This plum was developed in France, where it is known as Reine Claude. Prized as a great desert plum, it is widely grown in Western Europe but not so well known here. They are a very…

At Last Figs at Reasonable Prices!

Finally, I have spotted figs at the Queen Victoria Market at the reasonable price of $10/kg. While most are the purple variety, which look fabulous, I would actually advise you to seek out the Adriatic “white” variety that are an even light green colour. To my mind they have a much better flavour. Figs are…

Summer Apples

Summers apples are making a showing at markets now and lesser known and heritage varieties such as Akane, Abas, Pipins and Gravensteins can be found at some farmers markets. I also spotted Gravensteins at Organics Shed I, Queen Victoria Market ($6/kg). The Gravensteins are a great cooking apple with a sweet yet tart flavour. They…

More Than Swiss Brown Mushrooms

While summer is a time for tomatoes, lettuces, stone fruit and melons I can’t help but tell you about the lovely exotic mushrooms available from the mushroom co. This summer why not include a mushrooms salad with fresh herbs or char grilled king mushrooms to accompany your barbequed meats or fish (see recipe tab). Be…