Produce scence Island fruit in good supply and variety

Press, 1 December 1978, Page 2

Produce scence Island fruit in good supply and variety

Island fruit was plentiful at Christchurch produce markets this week. Three varieties of Fijian mangoes were available yesterday — Parrot, named because its shape resembles a parrot, Peach, the most popular variety, and Juicy. Tahitian mangoes also sold yesterday at $13.90 foi a carton of 15 fruit. Island paw paw arrived this week. The Toa Moana discharged Tongan and Western Samoan produce on Wednesday. Taro was in the market yesterday but could not be sold until inspected. The taro will be auctioned today. Watermelons arrived to replenish supplies from the last shipment, which are almost exhausted. These are selling at 55c a kilogram and met a strong demand. Tongan bananas were unloaded yesterday and should be available in shops early next week. Another vessel, the Fort St Marie, flis= charged Ecuadoran bananas which should also be available early next week. A shipment of Californian “Emperor” grapes was due yesterday but was delayed. The grapes will be available early next week. Some new, early-season

This week's recipe CUCUMBER MOUSSE. 2 small cucumbers 1 teaspoon gelatine 1 tablespoon snipped chives 1 teaspoon chopped dill 2 cartons creamed cottage cheese 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Salt and pepper Cucumber slices to garnish Method. Peel and seed cucumbers and grate into a bowl. Drain juice into a separate bowl, sprinkle with gelatine and leave for five minutes. Measure grated cucumber — there should be one cup. Dissolve gelatine mixture over hot water, cool, then add chives, dill and cucumber. Blend in cottage cheese and mayonnaise. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Rinse a j -litre , mould in cold water,’ spoon) In mixture. Chill. " ■ 4'

. iruit lines were available : this week. The first of the .plums arrived from Hawke’s i Bay in a small quantity. These are the "Gem” variety Hand are rather small. • I Raspberries were also new I in this week. They arrived on Monday but only a small amount was available, sell<ing at Sl.Olkg. | Salad lines are plentiful at (the moment, particularly to.matoes and cucumbers. Tomato prices fell earlier in ‘the week because of a big supply, but there were fewer available yesterday and the price rose again. Demand for cucumber is j strong but the price fell ■yesterday to about $6 a halfcase. Lettuces are also in strong demand. Yesterday, i lettuces were cheaper, sell-

l ing about $3.50 a case, thar j they were earlier in the ; week. Radishes and spring f onions are in good supply and prices remain firm, ’ Broad beans are cheap at beI tween $1 and $1.50 for carI tons and cases, and prices • are also good for green peas and glasshouse green beans. The demand for carrots was down and prices dropped. Although bunches of spring carrots are selling ; well, the price of loose carrots was about half that of last week. Early-season marrows and ■ courgette are increasing in quantity and should sell well this summer. Potatoes are in good supply and prices were lower this week for old and new varieties.