Apples and pears plentiful

Press, 11 July 1980, Page 2

Apples and pears plentiful

Apples and pears from Nelson and Canterbury growers were in strong demand at Christchurch markets yesterday.

Apple varieties available included Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Sturmer, and cooking. The Apple and Pear Board’s set price for the different grades ranged from $4.10 to $5.15 a case for Golden Delicious, $4.65 to $5.95 for Sturmer, $5.20 to $8.60 for Red Delicious, and $5.75 to $9.25 for Granny Smith. Winter Cole pears sold between $9.30 and $11.30 a case.

Vegetable supplies, were steady, and most lines in full supply. The demand for lettuce slipped yesterday, prices dropping to' between $2 and $3.50 a carton. Cabbage supplies were down on last week and prices rose to their highest for the last few weeks at up to $4.60 a bag. Greater quantities of cauliflowers were available than in recent weeks, selling between $3 and $4.50 a bag. Brussels sprouts from Oamaru were steady, selling between $5.80 and $7 a bag. Frosts in recent weeks have affected supplies of broccoli; small quantities were available from Oamaru and local growers. Prices for all root crops were reasonable, reflecting the good- harvest. Potatoes were in heavy supply, prices ranging from $2 to $2.80 a bag for Ham Hardy’ and Ruas, to $4 a bag for top quality Chippewa. Kumera supplies from the North Island were light and prices high. Pumpkins continued to be in moderate supply, prices showing a steady increase as growers rely on crops in storage. Tomatoes were a little cheaper yesterday than earlier in the week after increased quantities arrived from Auckland. Local hothouse tomatoes fetched between $6 and $lO for a 4.5 kg box. Auckland tomatoes, which the market depends on for the bulk of its supply, brought between $8 and $l5 for a 7kg box. Moderate quantities of cucumbers were available from the North Island; these were cheaper this week at up to $lO a carton. Small supplies of capsicum were available from Nelson and the North Island. Mushroom prices fell yesterday as demand lessened; trays fetched to $8.30. Kiwifruit were plentiful

and prices are unlikely to drop any further than the $l3 to $l6 for a half-case they fetched yesterday. Tamarillos continued m regular supply, realising between $8 and $l2 a case.

A shipment of Ecuadorean bananas received last weekend was available to retailers on Tuesday and relieved the recent shortage. All shops should now have good supplies of these, plus the balance of an Island shipment. , Prices were not considered high this week for marmalade oranges (grapefruit) which were plentiful and fetched from $8 to $9.50 a naval oranges are at the peak of their season and in full supply to meet the strong demand. Mandarins continue to arrive daily from the North Island and- prices yesterday were steady between $l7 and $22 a bushel case. Lemons were also in full supply to meet a heavy demand at this time of year. The passionfruit season has begun. Small com signments are arriving at the markets and selling for $7 to $9.50 a quarter-case.

I This week’s recipe APPLE ALMONDINE FLAN 275 g shortcrust pastry 1 j cups soft breadcrumbs 2 large cooking apples, grated IOOg butter or margarine 150 g brown sugar 2 teaspoons almond essence To decorate: Icing and toasted flaked almonds. Method: Roll out pastry and line flan dish. Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan and gently fry breadcrumbs until evenly crisp and brown. Remove saucepan from heat and add brown sugar and grated apple. Sprinkle over the almond essence and mix well. Turn out on to the prepared pastry-lined tin and spread mix evenly. Bake in oven at I9OC for 40 to 45 minutes or until completely cooked. Decorate when coot.