Curtis Stone is a culinary legend who has created easy, simple, and delicious home-cooked meals. Millions of Australians and people around the world have them on their dinner rotation, but as an established chef, Curtis Stone has discovered one common cooking mistake people are making and it’s secretly sabotaging the flavour, freshness and nutritional value. It all starts at the supermarket.
“Overcomplicating a dish and not cooking with seasonal ingredients can be a common mistake in my mind,” Curtis told us in an interview.
A very common problem, indeed. Not many people know which vegetables and fruits are in season, especially since a majority are available year-round and not at their best quality.
Why is it better to buy in-season produce?
The good news is that this mistake is easy to fix. Look for high-quality ingredients when you’re shopping and ensure they’re fresh. When creating your meal plans, feature ingredients that are in season.
“Keeping it simple, letting the seasonal produce be the hero is key for a delicious meal,” Curtis said. “Cooking in season will give you more flavour and it’s better for your budget as well.”
Opting for in-season produce guarantees better flavour, nutritional value and supports your local farmers.
Why is seasonal produce available year-round?
Here are a number of reasons why seasonal produce may be available year-round and the implications it has on your cooking.
1. Greenhouses
Some fruit and vegetable varieties are grown in greenhouses or controlled environments, which extends their availability outside of their typical growing season.
2. Imports
Often, fruit and vegies are imported from countries or regions where it’s in season. However, this means they are transported long distances and stored for extended periods of time. This impacts the freshness, flavour and nutrient content.
3. Storage
Certain fruits and vegies are stored in warehouses for extended periods, either through a controlled facility or by freezing them at peak ripeness. Again, it’s not fresh, and out of season may be more expensive due to transportation and storage costs, as well as lower availability.
Tips for shopping for in-season produce
While some fruit and vegies are available year-round, it’s best to buy them when they’re in season.
- Plan ahead! Check online what vegies are available in the current season before going shopping
- Plan meals ahead of time for each season
- Usually the cheaper vegies are in season and the more expensive are off-season
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win continues Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
