In season mid-autumn: Turnips, Granny Smith apples
Turnips
The turnip is a root vege – like a smaller relative of the...
In season late autumn: Watercress, passionfruit
Passionfruit
The purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) is the only passionfruit variety grown commercially in...
In season early winter: Mint, mushrooms, kumara, bananas
Mint
Plant foods contain thousands of natural chemicals called phytonutrients that are thought to...
In season mid-winter: Walnuts, baby spinach, ginger, cabbage
Walnuts
Walnuts are a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Studies have shown eating...
In season late winter: Rosemary, bok choy, kaffir lime leaves, shallots
Rosemary
This herb is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, although we only get small amounts...
In season early spring: Oregano, bay leaves, kale, celery
Oregano
Oregano contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, thought to be health-promoting. Although we...
In season mid-spring: Chilli, spring onion, avocado
Chilli
Those who love chilli will agree — it can be addictive! University of...
In season mid-summer: Blueberries, radishes
Blueberries
This summer fruit is available right up until April, but also year-round thanks...
In season early autumn: Apricots
Apricots are harvested in New Zealand from late December through to March.
Buying
Choose fresh...
In season late summer: Cucumbers
There are several varieties of cucumber: English/common, telegraph, apple, Lebanese and mini/cocktail cucumbers.
Buying
Choose...
In season early winter: Navel oranges
Oranges are such a staple fruit in New Zealand that they often aren’t...
In season early winter: Yams
These funny-looking knobbly tubers may not be the most attractive vegetable, but don’t...
In season late autumn: Passionfruit
Buying
Look for deep-purple coloured skins as these are most ripe and choose the...
In season late autumn: Leeks
Buying
Choose leeks with medium-sized stems. Look for fresh green tops and white fleshy...
In season mid-autumn: Nashi
In New Zealand, speckled and yellowy-green nashi are commonly grown in the Waikato.
They...
In season mid-autumn: Turnips
Compared to the larger, yellow or orange-fleshed swede, the turnip is usually smaller...
In season early autumn: Celery, celeriac
Celery belongs to the plant genus Umbelliferae, along with carrots and parsley.
Celery
Buying
Choose a...
In season early autumn: Apples
Buying
Look for firm unblemished fruit with rich colouring. A damaged apple releases ethylene,...
