October at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets brings three words that give a little joy to every Queenslander: stone fruit season. Yes, it’s time for juice dripping down chins, peach slices on everything from yoghurt to summer salads, and the age-old argument of how best to eat a mango.
There’s plenty of leafy green veggies and salad ingredients around to help you kick off that bikini bod diet as well, along with sweet potato, pumpkin and potato for the carb lovers, but for us, it’s all about the sweet stuff this month, and you’ll find the markets overflowing with these seasonal goodies.
STONE FRUIT
You’ll find plump, juicy nectarines and peaches and Kensington Pride (or Bowen) mangos just begging to be eaten at Missy Mae’s fresh produce stall! If your sweet purchases aren’t snapped up as a snack the moment they hit the fruit bowl, try adding them to summer salads (mangos make a great addition to Thai beef salads), throwing them on the BBQ, or baking them into something delicious. And don’t toss overripe fruits – just dice and freeze to throw in smoothies or make a healthy sorbet!BLUEBERRIES & RASPBERRIES
Had enough of strawberries? Just switch them out for blueberries and raspberries! Worth their weight in gold the rest of the year, October has these juicy berries in abundance, so you can pick up a punnet – or 5 – and still have dosh left for a market breakfast. The perfect portable snack, the super berries can also be the perfect finishing touch to breakfast, dessert, or our fave: a good G&T.SEASONAL TIP
Mandarins, Navel oranges and Aussie avocados are all the end of their season, so steer clear of buying them at the supermarket as they’ve most likely been in cold storage and aren’t at their best. Always buy fresh in season for the best tasting produce you can find!OUR FAVE STALL THIS MONTH: CESAR’S SMOOTHIES AND JUICES
You can’t miss Cesar’s as you wander past them at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets – their stall is adorned with stunningly carved watermelons and pineapples in intricate floral patterns. If you can’t spot them, just follow the trail of market goers carrying juice cups topped with skewers of fruit! Smoothies and juices packed with fresh, local produce and plenty of nutrients, they’ll get your day off to a deliciously healthy start.THE MARKET CALENDAR
THE POWERHOUSE AT NEW FARM
When: Every Saturday each month. Time: 6AM – 12PM (Noon) Where: The Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St, New Farm.MANLY MARKETS
When: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday every month. Time: 6AM – 12PM (Noon) Where: The Royal Esplanade, Manly between Cambridge and Cardigan Parades.BRISBANE CITY MARKETS
When: Every Wednesday Time: 8am – 6pm Where: Queen St Mall, Bridge EndMITCHELTON FARMERS MARKETS
When: 1st Sunday every month. Time: 6AM – 12PM (Noon) Where: Blackwood St, Mitchelton, between Samford Rd & Mitchelton Train Station.
