Cold cuts supplies of onions, sprouts

Press, 18 July 1980, Page 2

Cold cuts supplies of onions, sprouts

Recent frosts and cold weather affected supplies of brussels sprouts and spring onions at the Christchurch markets yesterday. Most vegetables were available in the smaller quantities expected at this time of the year. Brussels sprouts j yesterday'. reached the highest;price,.they have been this, season at between $7.50 and $9,. 'aithough they were cheaper earlier in the week. ■ - ' , . Lettuce from Nelson and local glasshouse growers were dearer than usual at up to $9.70 a case.-Good quality lettuce was in strong demand. The cabbage price earlier in the week was higher than normal, at.-more; than $4 a baL, but yesterday' the price moved back to that of previous weeks $1.50 to $3.30 a bag. ■ • .The possibility, of some big - outlets - being closed this morning because of stopwork meetings by clerical and shop workers was believed: to have had some influence bn the.; market.

• ■ A smaller supply of celery was available and prices were subsequently higher thaln usuaL at $5 to $8.20 a case. The local supplies were supplemented. by some from Nelson growers. ~ > • Good quality supplies of the two basic .winter greens, silverbeet. and leeks, continued to be available at a stable price. A small quantity of courgettes was avail-

able to $3 a kilogram. Only moderate quantities of capsicums were available. ~ No spring onions were

supplied yesterday because of the inability of Oamaru growers to harvest in the bad weather on Wednesday. Rhubarb was also in : short supply and was selling to. $1 a bunch. , , ; Carrots and parsnips con-

tinued to be plentiful and demand for them was strong on a firm market. Potatoes were plentiful and ranged in price from the cheapest Ilam Hardys at $l.BO a sack to Chippewa at $4. ' A strong demand Tor a reduced quantity of mushrooms ■ saw ' : prices’ range from s6'to $B.BO. a tray.' ? Supplies of tomatoes; continued to be mostly from Auckland and were slightly cheaper than last week, at $8 to $l2 for a 7kg carton. Variations in the quality and quantity of spinach resulted in prices - ; ranging from $5 to $7.90 a-box, an increase on last week’s price. ■ , , • - > : . . Kiwifruit was.;plentiful at a steady price. Most citrus fruits were plentiful and sold well. Mandarins were past the flush of the season and continued, at a steady price. , Tamarillos dropped slightly in price to . between $7 and $ll for a half case. The price for marmalade oranges was steady on a stable market and Australian navel oranges in full, supply continued to meet a strong demand. A shipment of vegetables and fruit from the. Tongan vessel Frysna berthed at .Timaru this week and supplied taro to the markets yesterday. .Most of the Taro (Swamp) was sold at. $l5 to $15.40 a case. The less popular variety of taro (Tarua) Sold at a cheaper price of $8.50 a case. All lines arrived in good condition and the balance of the shipment was expected to be sold next week. Island yams were also available from Tonga at up to $8.20 a case. The ship also discharged Tongan kape, water melon and Tongan and Samoam bananas, which will be available next week. .

This week’s recipe GLAZED BRUSSELS SPROUTS • (Serves 6to 8) i 1 kilogram Brussels Sprouts , 1A cups chicken stock 10 tablespoons honey pinch of cloves 1 tablespoon lemon ' juice Method:?: Blanch prepared brussels' sprouts in . salted water. Drain and place into a heavy saucepan. Barely cover with chicken stock. Add honey and cloves, Cook until just tender. Remove brussels sprouts and • keep warm while reducing the liquid by. boiling briskly. When, the liquid has halved ■in quantity, add the , lemon juice and pour mixture ;over sprouts to serve. .