Eggplant a plentiful versatile vegetable

Press, 18 March 1977, Page 2

Eggplant a plentiful versatile vegetable

Produce scene

Although it is not popular or well known, the eggplant, or aubergine, is a versatile vegetable which is available in Christchurch almost all of the year. The peak period for local supply usually is February and March, when North Island crons are harvested. The vegetable is reasonably priced in Christchurch markets at present, selling at $1.50 to $3 a half case. The eggplant originated in China and India. A dye extrated from it was apparently used by Oriental women to stain and polish their teeth. It belongs to the Night Shade family, which also includes the potato, tomato and pepper. The bushy annual plant grows to more than Im. It is very frost tender. The purple variety is the most common in this country.

The vegetable may be used; as a meat substitute —baked,! broiled, scalloped or topped with cheese, creamed mushrooms or sour cream. It may also be stuffed with meat or sauteed in olive oil. Smaller eggplants may be cooked whole or stuffed for individual servings. Larger ones are also good for stuffing, or casseroles.

Asparagus prices were down this week at the markets. It sold at $8 a tray, which was still expensive because it is out of season. Cauliflowers were in short supply. They sold in bags of eight for $4.70 to $5.90. There is a good supply of beans of all varieties at present. They sold at $2 to $3. Courgettes made $2.20 for a 5 kg bag and $5.80 for a half case. Brussel sprouts were $6,10 a bag and broccolli was $1.50 to $3.10 a half case. Celery sold at $1.50 to $2 a bushel—about 12c to 23c a stick. Lettuces made $2 to $3.90 for bags of eight, 10 and 12. Bootroot sold at $1 to $1.50 for a dozen bunches. Spinach made $1 to $2 for a dozen bunches and marrows were still cheap at 70c to $1 a bushel. Cabbage •prices were down slightly on last week, with bags of eight selling at $1 to $l.BO. Red cabbage went at $2.50 for a bag of eight. Parsley is still at full or over supply, with little demand. Spring onions sold at $1.50 to $2 for a dozen bunches and radishes were 60c to $1.20 for the same quantity. Carrots were also down slightly at $1.50 to $2.50 for a bushel. Buttercup was $2.40 to $3

and butternuts were $7, both! for a bushel. Red pumpkin; was slightly dearer than last! week, selling at $2 to $3 a! 22kg bag. Crown pumpkin! was $3.50 to $5 for the same quantity. Onions were down to $2.50 to $3.50 for 22kg bags and pickling onions were up to $7 a bag. Garlic was mostly $1.50 per kg and capsicum was $2 for a half case or $6 a bushel. Mushrooms made $2.20 to $3.30 per kg. Sweet com was $1 to $2.20 for a half case. Glasshouse tomatoes fetched $1.30 to $4 for skg and outdoor tomatoes sold at $2 to $3.90 for 9kg. Cucumbers made $1.50 to $2.80 a carton — about 10c to 22c each. Apple cucumbers were $1.50 a case. Potatoes are still cheap and in good supply. Most of them sold from 80c to $1.20 for 22kg, with some up to $1.50. There were two new varieties of pears on the market this week — Packhams and Beurre Bose. Bon Chretian pears are also still available, although their season is coming to an end. The quantity of apples available is still low, but the Gala variety should come on to the market next week.

Bananas and oranges are in good supply this week but are expected to be down next week. A shipment of oranges, bananas and some grapefruit is expected at Lyttelton on March 28. There is still a wide variety of good quality stone fruit available, even though the peak for some varieties is past. There has been a decline in the quantity of apricots but there is still a good supply and the demand is high. They fetched $5 to $7.80 a 9kg case. There are still several nec-

tarine varieties about, including white, yellow and gold fleshed fruit. They sold at $2.50 to $4.40 a tray, and cases made $2.50 to $5. Most peaches were of the Freestone variety. They made $2 to $4.40 a case. Small cooking plums were $3 a case and quality dessert plums made to $B. The few rock melons available made $4.80 to $6.40 a bushel. Water melon was 35c pfer kg. Passion fruit was $5 to $6 for a quarter case and grapes made $1.70 to $2.20 per kg, Strawberries were 50c to 90c a punnet.

Retail prices: Cauliflower (each) 79e-90c. Beans ikg> Si.lo-51.54. Brussel sprouts ikg> $1.54. Broccoli (kg) $1.25-51.76. Celery (bunch) 25e-70c. Lettuces (each) 40c-58c. Beetroot (kg) 48c. Spinach (bunch, 25c-30c. Marrow (each, 30c-40e. Cabbage (each) 15c-50c. Parsley (bunch) 20c-30c. Spring onions (bunch, 25c. Radishes (bunch) 20c-25c. Carrots (kg) 33e-44c. Red pumpkin (kg) 33c-48c. Buttercup (kg) 48c-55c. Butternut (kg) 66c-77c. Onions (kg) 33c-40c. Pickling onions (kg) 55c. Garlic (oz) 15c-22c. Capsicum (each) 10c-30c. Mushrooms (kg) 53.10-53.50. Sweet corn (cob) 10c-lac. Glasshouse tomatoes (kg) 77c51.10. Telegraph cucumbers (each) 30c--59c. Apple cucumbers (each, 15c-30c. Potatoes (sugar bag, $1.35-31.79. Pears (kg, 57c-Sl.lO. Apricots ikg, $1.20-81.50. Apples (kg) 55c-60c. Nectarines (kg) $l-81.75. Peaches (kg, $l-51.25.