As we move into the peak of summer and warmer weather in Australia, it’s undoubtedly one of the best seasons to shop for the juiciest fruits and freshest veggies. The produce aisles are bursting with summer flavours, and our favourite stone fruits are reemerging, dripping with sweetness and ready to be added to your Christmas pav.
Shopping seasonally not only means better taste, but also better value. It’s the ultimate hack for lowering your weekly grocery bills.
So, what’s in season this month? And ultimately, what fruits and veggies are the cheapest to add to cart? Gone are the days of endless rounds around the fresh produce aisles at your local supermarket, because we’ve researched for you.
Below are the cheapest fresh produce to buy this month, along with delicious recipe ideas to make the most of this month’s in-season fruits and veggies.
Top 5 cheap fruits this month
Watermelon
Price range: $20 – $25 for a whole watermelon
Storage tips: Cut into quarters and store inside a sealed container in the fridge, flesh side down. Slice when you’re ready to serve. You can also sprinkle a bit of lime juice before storing to keep it fresher for longer.
The ultimate summer fruit – watermelon – is finally at its lowest, and we couldn’t be more stoked. Perfect for the entertaining season, chill and slice for a refreshing snack, or chop it up for a sweet-and-salty watermelon, pomegranate and feta salad.
Peaches
Price range: $3.90-$4.90 per kg
Storage tips: If unripe, leave out at room temperature (away from direct sunlight) until they soften slightly. Once ripe, move them into a fridge in a breathable (not airtight) container. Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any moisture that builds up. Store away from other fruits, as this can speed up ripening.
One of our favourite summer fruits is peaches (and stone fruits in general). And since peaches are in season this month, their price per kg is much lower.
Sweet and juicy, peaches are perfect to slice fresh into summer salads or you can grill them for a delicious grilled peach and ham salad.
Mangoes
Price range: $2 – $3.50 each
Storage tips: Ripen mangoes at room temperature, then refrigerate them whole once ripe. You can also store them cut up in airtight containers for up to three days.
Aussie mangoes are some of the sweetest in the world, so it makes sense that we’re all mango-obsessed as soon as they’re in season. With prices dropping as low as $2 each (an absolute steal), it’s only natural we’re popping them in smoothies, fruit salads, and desserts like an easy no-bake mango cheesecake tart.
Cherries
Price range: From $16.90 per kg
Storage tips: Store unwashed in a breathable container or paper bag in the fridge. Only wash before you eat. Place a paper towel at the bottom to help absorb moisture and store away from strong-smelling foods in the fridge, as cherries absorb odours easily.
A Christmas must-have: cherries are perfect as is. Just wash them before you eat them for a refreshing afternoon treat. Or, you can unpit them and toss them in summer desserts like a rustic cherry pav.
Strawberries
Price range: From $16 per kg
Storage tips: For strawberries (and all berries), line a container with a paper towel and store in a breathable container. Remove any mushy strawberries immediately. You can also give them a vinegar bath (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water), drain them well, and dry them thoroughly before refrigerating to kill bacteria. This can extend the shelf life to up to a week.
Strawberries (and other berries in general) are known to be among the more expensive fruits. That’s why taking advantage of in-season prices during summer is a no-brainer. Strawberries can go as low as $3.50 per punnet during summer. So, there’s no better time than now to incorporate them into summer desserts (like this chic charlotte cake), blend them into fruit smoothies, or dice them up as a fresh topping over yoghurt bowls.
Top 5 cheap veggies this month
Tomatoes
Price range: $3.90 – $7.90 per kg
Storage tips: Store at room temperature and never in the fridge as it dulls the flavour profile. Try store them stem-side down to slow down moisture loss.
Especially truss, cherry, and heirloom, this month is a great time to add tomatoes to your weekly dinner recipes. Whether you’re making your very own sugo al pomodoro sauce from scratch or you’re slicing them up for sandwiches or fresh salads, tomatoes are bound to be a star in your weekly dinner dishes.
Cucumbers
Price range: 80c – $2 each
Storage tips: Store cucumbers inside a loose bag inside the veggie crisper compartment of your fridge, and keep away from ethylene-producing fruits such as tomatoes, bananas, or stone fruit.
One of the most versatile summer vegetables to have on your radar is the humble cucumber. Whether you’re going for a lebanese cucumber or a classic continental, cucumbers offer great value during summer. Toss it into a fresh salad or in a homemade tzatiki. And you can never go wrong with the classic smashed cucumber recipe for a refreshing appetiser.
Capsicums
Price range: From $2.40 each
Storage tips: Store whole unwashed in the fridge crisper. If cut, store in an airtight container on a slightly damp towel to maintain humidity.
Red, green, or yellow capsicums are in season throughout summer and bring a splash of colour to any dish. Slice into sticks and serve with homemade hummus, or toss them into an Asian-style chicken and cashew stir-fry. If you’re adventurous, Mediterranean stuffed capsicums are any easy way of sneaking in some more veggies into your meals.
Zucchinis
Price range: From $1.18 each
Storage tips: Keep in the crisper, or in a paper bag in the fridge and avoid washing until ready to use.
Whether you’re spiralising them into ‘zoodles’, popping them on the grill for a veggie burger, or making these more-ish zucchini nests, zucchinis are readily available this season – and at a great price.
Sweet corn
Price range: From $1 each
Storage tips: Keep the husks on and refrigerate immediately. The sweetness of sweet corn actually fades when stored in room temperature. If you’re freezing, cut the kernels off the cob before storing into bags.
With BBQ’s firing up more than usual, the classic buttered corn-on-the-cob is calling your name. Fresh sweet corn can be found as low as $1 each during December – so it’s a great time to stock up as they store great in the freezer. They’re sweeter and juicier when in season, which means they’re perfect for Indonesian corn fritters or easy sweet corn tostadas if you’re hosting.
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