First of season’s grapes from California sell well

Press, 7 August 1981, Page 2

First of season’s grapes from California sell well

Amid the present controversy about fruit fly problems in California, a shipment of big, black, juicy Californian grapes arrived in the Christchurch markets this week.

Buyers were not put off by the stories about the risks of fruit fly getting into New Zealand, however, and the demand for the grapes was brisk.

They sold for $36 for 11kg cartons when they first arrived on the market floor on Tuesday, and have since been selling in the shops to about $6 a kilogram. This shipment is the first of the North American season, and more shipments are expected in the next few months.

The Californian grapes arrived at Auckland first, and were inspected there by Ministry of Agriculture officials, before they were shipped to the Christchurch markets this week. They were inspected again at Lyttelton. The grapes were grown some 300 miles .from the area where the fruit fly infestation is at present causing problems in California.

Bananas from Ecuador are now in the shops but are a little green and need ripening. They were delayed a few days in port because of rain, and should have been in the markets on Monday. Australian oranges arrived last week and another shipment is expected on Wednesday.

North Island mandarins are plentiful at $l9 to $25 a bushel and New Zealand lemons are also abundant at $4 to $6 a bushel.

Kiwifruit were scarce yes terday, but a big consignment earlier in the week should mean that there will be plenty in the shops still. They were up to $l4 a halfr case yesterday.

Tamarillos continue to be good value at $9 to $l2 a half-ease. .

Early-season. hot-house strawberries are said to be on their way, and may be seen in the shops next week if they arrive in the markets when expected today. In the vegetable section, cauliflowers continue to be one of the best buys of the week, at $1 to $3.40 a bag of eight. Carrots and parsnips are also good value, to $4 a bag for carrots and to $6 a bag for parsnips.

There was not as much

cabbage as usual on the market floor yesterday morning, but the slight shortage should be only temporary. They were to $6.60 for a bag of eight.

Broccoli was to $lO a halfcase, local and Nelson celery was to $7.30 a carton, while Island courgettes were $lB for a 4.5 kg carton, for those feeling extravagant. Spring onions, radishes, and parsley were all fairly scarce this week, mainly because they are in between seasons at present. Those bunches that were offered fetched a good price. Leeks are still good value, at the height of their season, at $2 to $8 a bag, as are yams, to $8.30 a bag, and Southland swedes, at up to $4 a bag.

Kumara were selling to $24 a bushel carton, and Ilam Hardy potatoes were good value to $2.40 a bag, while Chippewa were to $4 a bag. Onions are still comparatively expensive at $lB to $23 a bag, although they have dropped fractionally in price in the last week or two. Garlic has also firmed in price to $6 a kilogram.

This week’s recipe Leek and potato soup 3 leeks, whites only 1 onion 50g butter Ikg potatoes 3 cups water salt and white pepper to taste milk 1 egg yolk cup cream or top milk chopped chives

Method: Slice the leeks and onion finely. In a saucepan. heat the butter and saute the leeks and onion, but do not let it colour. Add the peeled and chopped potatoes, water and seasonings. Simmer until vegetables are soft. Pass through a sieve or blender to get a thick puree. Add enough milk to make the soup the consistency preferred. Return to boiling point just before serving and add the egg yolk beaten with the cream. Do not reboil. Sprinkle with chopped chives before serving. Serves, six to eight.