It’s the first month of winter, and while we whip out our soups pots and slow cookers, nature’s most tangy citrus fruits and tasty vegetables come out to play. Soups, casseroles and stews are on high rotation for the next month (or three!), and we’ll cook or bake anything to keep ourselves and the family toasty warm. And instead of turning to a cool bowl of ice cream after dinner, we opt for sweet stewed fruits topped with warm, homemade custard.
Here is a round-up of what’s in-season in Australia in June. You’ll find recipe ideas for some of them below.
FRUITS
Custard apples
Grapefruit
Kiwifruit
Limes
Nashi pears
Oranges
Persimmons
VEGETABLES
Asian greens
Avocado
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Celeriac
Fennel
Ginger
Horseradish
Jerusalem artichokes
Leek
Okra
Olives
Parsnip
Peas
Silverbeet
Swede
Turnip

01
RHUBARB
RHUBARB The tangy but sweet vegetable returns to our tables this June. While it might surprise many, rhubarb is perfect for desserts, like our easy rhubarb galette. If you’re a lover of rhubarb then try baking our rhubarb and almond cake, or make one of our beautiful and delicious rhubarb recipes.

02
LEMONS
LEMONS The humble lemon can do so much. Our classic, luscious lemon cake must be at the top of your baking list for June. and you have to try our lemon chicken casserole – it can be whipped up in under an hour and a hearty, flavourful dinner.

03
MANDARINS
MANDARINS The underrated citrus fruit is in its prime this June. Mandarins make for delicious desserts, and juicy and sweet. Bake our impressive upside-down mandarin polenta yoghurt cake for afternoon tea, or simply devour one by itself.

04
PUMPKIN
PUMPKIN Is there anything pumpkin can’t do? The versatile winter vegetable can make the creamiest of soups and the fluffiest scones, like our classic pumpkin scones recipe. Try baking of our perfect pumpkin recipes this June.

05
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
BRUSSELS SPROUTS Convert the whole family into Brussels Sprouts lovers this June, starting with our Brussels sprouts with cream and almonds recipe. One of the best ways to eat brussels sprouts is in a stir-fry, so try this pork and brussels sprouts stir-fry the next time you’re stuck on what to cook for dinner.

06
ORANGES
ORANGES The mother of all citrus fruits makes a tangy entrance this June. While there no such thing as the perfect afternoon tea cake, this orange cake is probably it. Uses oranges for classic marmalades, or beautiful upside-down cakes.

07
PEAS
PEAS A pie isn’t complete unless there’s a mountain of mushy peas on top! These little bursts of flavour are perfect in any recipe – whether they’re mashed, steamed of cooked in a tagine. Try our mushroom pies served with minted mushy peas, or our spaghetti carbonara with peas as a weeknight dinner.

08
GINGER
GINGER There’s no better way to warm up this June than with a ginger recipe. One of the best things about ginger is that is helps improve body circulation, which is a must for the winter time. Warm up this June with our comforting ginger and pear cobbler, or bake away any cold weather blues with our spiced ginger cake.

09
APPLES
APPLES An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so get your daily dose this June with one of our sweet apple desserts, like this deep dish apple and rhubarb pie. While apples are best served as desserts, they make for refreshing drinks, like our apple Pimm’s, and add extra depth to savoury recipes like this pork and apple salad.

10
CAULIFLOWER
CAULIFLOWER Overshadowed by its distant cousin , broccoli, cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that cooks brilliantly in curries and dinner bakes. Our cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese is a tasty way to sneak in veggies into the kid’s dinner.