Winter bounty

WHILE many of us are winding down in the garden or kitchen due to a lack of produce, there are some jobs that need to be left until the winter.  Winter veggies, garlic and broad beans can go in now, some herbs are happier in cooler weather, such as coriander, its probably a good time to feed the asparagus, and its time to consider whether you need any more bare rooted fruit trees.

The start of winter is also the time of year the Golden Creek Olives are busiest, both pressing their own oil, and that of other small and large groves from around Gippsland.

With such a dry summer and early autumn, Golden Creek’s own olives have taken a while to develop oil in them so they’ve had to be patient. They picked an early batch of the Koroneiki variety in May and although the yield was low, the flavour is vibrant and grassy, with low bitterness and medium pepper. It is a green oil due to the fruit being picked under-ripe; this oil is very high in anti-oxidants and should complement most winter foods, especially drizzled on a bowl of steaming hot soup, or a last minute drizzle over a roast vegetable salad.

There’s still veggies around, so come down to the market and enjoy the great atmosphere while you check out the offerings of producers.  Maybe try a bit of new season Koroneiki while you’re there.

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