Author Archive
What’s in Season – September
September 26, 2011 | 
Author Here in Noosa we are fortunate to enjoy a wide range of fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables all the year around. A wander around the Noosa Farmers’ Market on a Sunday morning will confirm this. I am a big advocate of seasonal eating, and with such an array of fresh local produce, there really is no excuse not to plan your meals and menus around the fruit and vegetables that are currently in season. If you need further convincing, here are 10 benefits of eating seasonally and locally grown produce:
1. Produce that is in season locally is at its optimum taste.
2. Better health benefits for you – produce is higher in nutritional value when it is fresh and hasn’t been stored or transported over long distances.
3. In-season produce is at its least expensive.
4. Buying locally and seasonally is better for the environment – less air-miles for the produce to travel.
5. Local, seasonal produce lasts longer.
6. You won’t need to go on a wild goose chase to find what you are looking for – seasonal produce is readily available!
7. Food safety reasons – the fewer steps there are between your food’s source and your table the less chance there is of contamination.
8. Buying locally grown produce supports the local economy.
9. Deprivation leads to appreciation – think how fantastic that first peach of the season tastes!
10. Eating seasonally encourages you to try different foods and experiment in the kitchen.
Recipe: Cumquat Marmalade
At this time of year around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, Cumquat trees are busting with ripe fruit. Many suburban homes have cumquat trees in their gardens as an ornamental, but sadly the fruit is left to rot as it is too tart for most people to eat. However, cumquats make fantastic marmalade – the perfect way to use that cumquat crop that you didn’t know what to do with.
Recipe: Strawberry Ricotta Cheesecake with Macerated Strawberries
Strawberries are so plentiful on the Sunshine Coast currently that they are almost giving them away. Last Sunday at the Noosa Farmers Market I paid just $6 for 3 x 500g punnets! When strawberries are this inexpensive, I am busy making strawberry jam, strawberry daiquiris, strawberry muffins, and one of my favourite desserts – Strawberry Ricotta Cheesecake with Macerated Strawberries. This light and luscious cheesecake is not too sweet, and because it doesn’t have a biscuit base like many cheesecakes it is lesser in calories (you could use low-fat ricotta for an even lower fat option). It’s also gluten free if you use gluten-free cornflour. If you’re serving a wine with it, a Late Harvest Riesling is a good match. Enjoy!
Konnichiwa Jardin Japonesque!
Tucked away in Arcadia Street at Noosa Junction is another welcome addition to the Noosa dining scene. Jardin Japonesque opened about 4 months ago and is run by Owner/Chef Kisa Juri Kobayashi who was previously a full-time chef at award-winning Wasabi restaurant in Noosa. Serving a scrumptious selection of Japanese dishes at very reasonable prices, this place is exactly what Noosa has been missing!
Owner/chef Kisa and Tomo from Jardin Japonesque
Tea on the Terrace
Newly opened and a welcome addition to Gympie Terrace is Metal Tiger Tea Emporium. Specialising in teas from around the world, this teahouse is a new concept for Noosa.
The view from Metal Tiger Tea Emporium
Congratulations to Spanner Crabs Noosa!
Our very own Spanner Crabs Noosa has picked up two awards in the prestigious 2011 Produce Awards. Now in their sixth year, the Produce Awards encourage, showcase and reward Australia’s top producers in categories including “From the Earth”, “From the Dairy”, “From the Paddock”, “From the Sea” and “Artisan”.
Noosa Spanner Crabs was recognised as one of three medallists in the “From the Sea” category for their raw crabmeat, and was inducted into the new “Hall of Fame Awards” category which recognises consistent excellence.
All producers who entered the awards were shortlisted by a panel of Australia’s leading chefs from around the nation before being presented to the national judges – Matt Moran, Philip Johnson, Cheong Liew, Alla Wolf-Tasker, and Maggie Beer, patron of the Produce Awards.
Congratulations Spanner Crabs Noosa – we’re proud of you!
Recipe: Seared Peppered Tuna, Wasabi Parsley and Avocado Salad
Sunday mornings wouldn’t be complete for me without a visit to the Noosa Farmers Market to stock up for the week. I should probably be more organised and take a shopping list compiled from planned meals, but more often than not I come home with a trolley full of goodies, not knowing how I will use them. As a result, my cooking is often experimental, and this has resulted in some pretty tasty meals made from fresh local produce.
Product Profile: Lime Salt
Living in Noosa I am lucky enough to have access to a wide range of interesting and innovative local products. One such product is Lime Salt, made by Suncoast Limes. This totally natural product is made using the highest quality Australian sea salt and limes grown on the Suncoast Lime orchard at Tandur, about 40 minutes west of Noosa. No additives whatsoever are used in this product, which always gets a big tick from me.
Veggie Village, a community garden
One of the many things I love about living in Noosa is the strong sense of community and willingness of so many residents to generously share their time and expertise in an attempt to make a difference to the world. This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the Peregian Beach Veggie Village, a community garden that teaches people how to grow their own fruit and vegetables using the techniques of permaculture.
Noosa Farmers Market, a Sunday morning ritual
Early morning, before the crowds arrive
Posted in Events & experiences, Places to visit, Produce & products | 
Tags: fruit, local produce, markets, vegetables | 
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