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Fruit and vegetables Updated: 01 Jul 2010

Selecting & storing veges

Some produce, though available all year round, is better when in season. This table lists when produce is in peak season.

Vegetable	Season	Features to look for	Storage
Asparagus	Spring/Summer	Straight, firm, evenly coloured stems with closed tips. Avoid seedy tips and woody base to stalks.	Highly perishable. Wrap stems in damp absorbent paper and refrigerate in plastic.
Beans	Spring/Summer	Fresh young pods should snap easily.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Beetroot	Spring/Summer	Deep red roots with a firm skin. Any leaves should be unwilted.	Refrigerate unwrapped in crisper.
Broccoli	All Year	Heads should be compact, dark green or tinged purple. Avoid yellowish, enlarged buds. Check cut end for rot or discolouration.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Brussels sprouts	Winter	Avoid yellowing, loose, soft or wilting leaves. Small compact sprouts are best.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Cabbages	All Year	Firm heads, heavy for their size. Even colour, crisp outer leaves. Cut bottom should look fresh, not brown or soft.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Capsicums	Summer	Firm, deep coloured and unwrinkled glossy skin.	Refrigerate unwrapped in crisper.
Carrots	All Year	Firm, well formed with a good orange colour and no root hairs.	Refrigerate in plastic or store in a cool ventilated place.
Cauliflower	All Year	Clean, compact, white heads. Cut bottom should look fresh, not brown or soft.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Celery	All Year	Fresh, unwilted leaves. Stems firm and crisp when snapped.	Will keep crisp with stem placed in a shallow container of water or in plastic in fridge.
Courgettes/marrows	Spring/Summer/Autumn	Firm, glossy skin.	Refrigerate, unwrapped in crisper.
Cucumbers	Summer	Firm skin, dark green colour.	Refrigerate with plastic over cut end.
Eggplant	Spring/Summer/Autumn	Should be blemish free, firm to touch, dark and glossy.	Refrigerate uncovered, avoid bruising.
Garlic	All Year	Avoid bulbs that are sprouting or mouldy. Should be heavy for size.	Do not refrigerate or store in plastic.
Kumara	Autumn/Winter/Spring	Smooth unbroken skin and good smooth shape.	Don't refrigerate. Store in cool, dark, well-aired place.
Leeks	Autumn/Winter/Spring	Fresh green tops and plenty of white flesh. Cut bottom should look fresh, not brown or soft.	Refrigerate in plastic.
Lettuces	All Year	Clean, crisp leaves and firm compact head. Cut bottom should look fresh, not brown or soft.	Refrigerate in airtight plastic container or in plastic bag.
Mushrooms	All Year	Avoid wilted, wrinkly mushrooms.	Refrigerate in a paper bag - plastic makes them sweat.
Onions	All Year	Firm with papery outer skin and heavy for their size.	Store in a cool, dark well-ventilated place, not in plastic.
Parsnips	Autumn/Winter/Spring	Small-medium size, smooth and firm. Large ones can be fibrous.	Keep refrigerated in plastic or store in a cool, ventilated place.
Potatoes	All Year	Smooth, clean, free from bruises, cuts, green patches or shoots.	Store in cool dark place out of plastic.
Pumpkins/squash	All Year	Undamaged, firm skin and heavy for size.	Store in cool dark place. Once cut, remove seeds, wrap in plastic and refrigerate.
Radishes	All Year	Firm flesh and bright colour. Smooth unblemished skin. Attached leaves unwilted.	Refrigerate in plastic. Can freshen up by soaking in iced water.
Salad leaves/herbs	All Year	Avoid limp or yellowing leaves.	Refrigerate in a plastic bag or salad container.
Silverbeet/spinach	All Year	Crisp, green leaves with firm white stalks. Avoid brown or discoloured stalk bases. Cut stem should look fresh.	Refrigerate in a plastic bag.
Spring onions	Spring/Summer/Autumn	Solid bulbs with white root hairs firmly attached. Straight, crisp green tops.	Refrigerate unwrapped in crisper.
Sweetcorn	Summer	Plump, tight kernels. Bright fresh husk. Avoid dry, yellowing or straw-coloured husks. Tassel should be yellow and silky. Open husk to see kernels.	Use immediately. Can be stored in bags in fridge.
Tomatoes	Summer/Autumn	Avoid overripe, bruised, blemished fruit.	Ripen at room temperature, only refrigerate if overripe.
Yams	Winter	Firm, brightly coloured, blemish free.	Refrigerate in plastic.