Produce report: Berries and cherries

Fresh peas in the pod have joined new-season snowpeas in stores. Use them at their sweetest best, soon after purchase before the sugar turns to starch. Garden peas will be gone again by February so get them while you can. Cherries have just arrived too so it’s starting to look rather Christmassy in supermarkets already. Berries (including boysenberries) continue to become more visible and affordable as the weeks pass. Volumes of raspberries have been a bit low but will be improving. You should be spotting the first of the sweetcorn as well. “Grown mainly in Houhora, Kaitaia,

Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, our new season sweetcorn is in-store now," says New World Fresh Expert Brigit Corson. "As Christmas nears, the harvest will become more plentiful and you’ll find cobs available for a deliciously good price. This summer staple will be around until April, so enjoy it tossed with butter or perfectly grilled on the barbecue." Beetroot is good buying and looking fresh and firm – it keeps well when a bit of stalk is left on. Available year-round, it's at its best from November to April.

LOOK FOR: “New Zealand beans will soon be available, just in time for your festive feasts," says Brigit. "Ours are mainly grown in Twyford, Hawkes Bay and thrive in the warm weather." Over winter and spring, we have been buying Australian round beans from supermarkets. Local beans will be here until about May so it’s a good long season. At farmers’ markets, look for purple-skinned Maori potatoes (taewa) which are waxy and make the best salads.

MOVING ON: Swedes are in short supply but the new-season turnip/cabbage hybrids should be here in a couple of weeks. “You’ll find New Zealand Valencia oranges in-store throughout summer, but our local navel season is coming to an end with US imports arriving just before Christmas,” says Brigit.