Fruit and vegetables Tasty Chiquita bananas arrive from Philippines

Press, 26 September 1980, Page 2

Fruit and vegetables Tasty Chiquita bananas arrive from Philippines

Philippine Chiquita bananas this v/eek came on to the Christchurch produce markets for the first time. These are similar in shape i to Ecuadorean bananas, most being long, straightish and brightly yellow. But they are tastier and more like Island bananas in flavour. The quality of this first shipment is excellent and the skins are mostly unblemished. Although they are tastier when properly ripened, buying when they are slightly green prevents bruising while carrying them home. Bananas ripen happily by themselves at room tern* perature. The maximum price for Chiquita bananas is $13.80 a carton wholesale and $l.OB a kilogram retail. They are slightly more expensive than Ecuadorean bananas, at $1.02 a kilogram, and the Island consignments, at 94c. The shipment should last at least another two weeks, and if they prove popular, more might be imported. This would help keep a steady flow on the markets. Valencia oranges from Australia were among several “first of the season” lines to appear on the markets this week. Quality is excellent, and the oranges are selling at a maximum price of $l6 a carton wholesale or $1.02 a kilogram retail in the city and $1.04 a kilogram, in country areas. They Should last until the next consignment in about another two weeks, and supplies should keep coming for two or three months.

Asparagus also appeared this week for the first time this season, and yesterday morning bunches from local areas fetched between 90c and $2.03, or about $16.20

for a case ©f about 3kg. Prices were lower earlier in the week, and smaller bunches from Hawke’s Bay sold to 79c. Inter-island ferry disruptions prevented North Island supplies reaching the Christchurch markets yesterday. As the weather warms, quantities of asparagus will build to a peak about midOctober. Green beans were another “first of the season,” supplies from Nelson fetching to $2B a half-case. Consignments should come on to the markets regularly from now.

The local capsicum season has also just begun, supplies fetching to $8 a kilogram yesterday.

In spite of the inter-island ferry strikes, the markets were generally adequately supplied with the usual produce, and prices were mostly similar to those of last week.

However, broccoli rose in price to between $6 and $7 a half-case or between $l4 and $l6 a bushel case. The rise' was probably caused by an absence of Nelson supplies. Because of the strikes, no

Pukekohe cabbages were available but there, were some earlier in the week. Nelson and local cabbages fetched to $8.50 ,a bag of about eight yesterday. Pukekohe new potatoes did not reach. South Island markets yesterday. However, supplies were available on Wednesday, when bags of about 22kg fetched to $16.70. Tomatoes in 7kg cartons had to be sent by air. from Auckland yesterday morning, and their price shot up to between $2O and $31.80. Freight on each carton was between $4 and $5., Onions were rather scarce as growers’ stored lots are running out. Bags of about 22kg' fetched $5 to $8.50, compared with between $2 and $4 two months ago. New Zealand goldfruit (grapefruit) are still plentiful, and New Zealand oranges, kiwifruit, and tangelos are in reasonable supply. Tamarillos are getting near the end of their season.

This week’s recipe CURRIED BANANA 2 chopped onions 2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp curry powder 1 cooking apple, peeled and grated I tbsp apricot jam, or similar 2J tbsp vinegar | tsp salt 1 cup water ' 4 bananas

Method: Brown onion in butter. Stir in curry powder and fry for a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients except bananas. Cover pan and cook gently for about 10 minutes. Halve bananas lengthwise and pack them in the sauce. Cook gently for another 10 minutes. Arrange bananas and sance in centre of a serving dish, surround with cooked rice and hardboiled egg halves. Garnish with tomato and green capsicum rings.