Welcome to our weekly series where we’ll let you know what fruit and vegetables are market fresh this week, give you handy storage tips and recipes to make the most of seasonal produce.
Passionfruit is in season in Australia in Summer, Autumn and Winter. The quietest time for the fruit is in Spring as the vines prepare for a bumper crop during Summer.
Thanks to the tropical climate in North-east Australia, passionfruit is in season in cooler months too, but most vines won’t produce in Spring.
A perennial crop, vines can take up to 12 months to produce fruit with commercial vines viable for three to four years. For home garden growers, some passionfruit vines can last for six or seven years.
Passionfruit is native to South America and most varieties that have been cultivated in Australia are suited to tropical climates in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Varieties include deep purple, Panama gold and green-skinned, white-fleshed Australian native.
A beneficial fruit with a healthful nutrition profile, passionfruit contains high levels of vitamin A – which is important for skin, vision and the immune system – and vitamin C, an important antioxidant.
It also contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and fibre, which is a crucial component of every diet. Fibre helps regulate the digestive system and keep the gut healthy, preventing constipation and bowel disorders.
Pick ripe fruit that are plump, smooth and heavy for their size – wrinkly does not mean ripe! Passionfruit lasts up to one month in the fridge and two weeks in a fruit bowl – keep them in a plastic bag to maximise freshness.
It also freezes well, you can freeze the fruit whole, in chunks or as pulp. Scoop the fruit into a bowl, add a little sugar and freeze in ice cube trays. Put into an airtight plastic bag when frozen.
Frozen passionfruit is great for smoothies, bowls and other recipes with the seeds adding crunch and nutrition.
Here are three sweet treat recipes to make the most of passionfruit this week:
This white chocolate baked cheesecake slice makes a lovely Summertime dessert. With tropical mango and passionfruit flavours, it’s perfect to share.
After a tangy treat? Try this slice filled with passionfruit curd and topped with crunchy coconut - it’s a must-try.
These banana bread-inspired cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat to share. Whip up a batch on the weekend - with delicious banana and passionfruit flavours, you won’t regret it!
