After a run of wet summers that put a damper on summer crops, this year’s drier conditions means there’s little that’s off the table this month in Melbourne. Peaches and nectarines … you can get for about $3 a kilo, with premium varieties a few dollars more. Red and black plums are in good supply too, and cherries from Victoria and Tasmania continue their run, selling for about $18 a kilo. In recent weeks, there has also been a flush of berries, says Gee.
Victorian strawberries are in their prime (about $3 a punnet) and blueberries and raspberries are tantalisingly cheap at about $2 and $4 a punnet respectively. Rockmelon are also hitting their peak. “When you cut them open, they’re beautiful,” says Gee. “They’re really starting to come into their own … you can probably pick up a nice, good-sized whole one for $4 to $5.” In Melbourne, greengrocer Sam Russo recommends watermelon, which has come down in price (about $2.50 a kilo) and is crisp and vibrant. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher on hot days, or eat chunks for breakfast Russo says dragon egg lychees (also known as Erdon Lee lychees) are gearing up to be the star of the month. “They’re going to be really popular come Chinese new year. They’re cheap for what they are, but they’re still fetching $30 to $40 a kilo … They go crazy at the end of January.” Kensington prides are reaching the end of their run, but other mango varieties should hang on for another month for around $3 each, with honey gold the cheapest. Red capsicums are red-hot, selling for about $2.99 a kilo at grocers, where you would usually see them for between $3 and $6 a kilo this time of year. Heirloom tomatoes from South Australia are flourishing and expected to hold their quality as long as the weather stays sunny and dry. “A heatwave is fine for a brief perio