Noosa Produce Visit
Posted by Matt Wilkinson on January 9th, 2010
After serving 150 portions of turkey on Christmas Day, I was definitely in need of a break. A relaxing week in Noosa visiting some wonderful producers was exactly what was needed and has inspired some dishes on my next menu.
It was at the Noosa farmer’s market where I indulged in Noosa spanner crab, Mooloolaba prawns and the most delicious and fresh yellowfin tuna imaginable, here you can buy a whole tray of mangoes for $14! I’m currently working on a mango splice dessert and a simple claypot style fish and crab stew – both inspired by this visit.
Next, was a day trip to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland where I spent a morning with Richard Mohan the owner and grower at Midyim Eco Resort in Maleny. Richard produces and supplies top-end restaurants with his Pimientos de Padron, a small green pepper originating from a region in Galicia in North West Spain. The Padron pepper is a small sweet tasting green pepper with delicate flesh and every one in ten of them is hot. Eating them is a bit like a game of Russian roulette.
These peppers are grown locally by Andrew Wood of Glenora Heritage Produce and will be available in Feb/March at the inner – Melbourne farmers markets. The best way to serve them is to simply pan-fry them in oil and then serve with salt, perfect with a crisp beer while relaxing in the sun!
