Brand SA

SA Farmers Market

This week Callum heads to the SA Farmers Market in Pooraka to stock up on lots of fresh in-season vegetables to bring back into the kitchen and whip up a perfect winter soup.

The SA Farmers Market is a bustling Sunday market held weekly from 6am to 1 pm at the South Australian Produce Market on Merchant Crescent. It offers a huge variety of fresh, locally grown produce including fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs, olives, and baked goods—all sold directly by South Australian growers.

Beyond produce, the market features bric-a-brac stalls, handmade crafts, and a vibrant atmosphere with live music and entertainment. An on-site café offers coffee and light meals, making it a great spot for a relaxed Sunday outing. Read more about SA Farmers Market here.

Minestrone with winter pesto

INGREDIENTS: (serves 4-6)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 leek, sliced
1 swede, diced
1 golden beetroot, diced, plus reserve green beetroot tops
½ celeriac, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
5 small carrots, sliced
1.5L vegetable stock
5 fresh bay leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste

Winter pesto:
1 bunch parsley
1 cup carrot green tops (optional)
½ cup toasted walnuts
2 cloves garlic
Zest and juice of an orange
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup finely grated parmesan
Juice of a lemon

Method:
Pour olive oil into a large pot over high heat. Add leek, swede, golden beetroot, celeriac, celery and carrots. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until softened. Add stock, bay leaves, salt and pepper then bring to the boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender but not falling apart.

Meanwhile, make the pesto. Combine parsley, carrot tops, walnuts, garlic, orange zest and juice in a food processor or small blender and pulse until smooth. Alternatively, use a mortar and pestle or just chop everything finely. Stir through olive oil, parmesan and lemon juice.

Divide soup between serving bowls and top each with a dollop of winter pesto.