Asparagus

Make the most of these new-season beauties by transforming them into tarts, salads and bakes. Although the season is short, they are worth the wait for their freshness, crunch and unbeatable flavour.

Avocados

Look out for the Haas avocado, whose rough skin transforms from grass-green to black when ready. Add them to salads, pasta dishes or turn them into a creamy Mexican guacamole.

Broccoli

Plump heads of broccoli are about to flood the market, so use them to make a vibrant spring soup, to pump up stir-fries or to replace cauliflower in a range of cream-based dishes.

Ginger

Although it’s available throughout the year, ginger is harvested in September. Sweeter, more aromatic and with a citrus flavour not found in older roots, new-season ginger is ideal in a range of sweet and savoury dishes, as well as for making a refreshing tea.

Lemons

There’s no shortage of recipes to use up a lemon glut – try curds, cordials, cakes and desserts. If you find you have any left over, they also make a refreshing start to the day: simply add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of warm water and enjoy.

Oranges

In September the orange harvest is in full swing, so don’t miss out on starting the day with a glass of this freshly squeezed sweet juice. Alternatively, turn them into a cake, a tangy marmalade or a refreshing sorbet to beat the heat on the season’s first warm days.

Strawberries

The first of the Queensland strawberries are now available, so don’t miss out on these vibrant berries. Although they are delicious eaten as they are, they also make a welcome addition to a range of desserts, breakfasts and jams.