Early courgettes on sale, but prices still high

Press, 30 October 1981, Page 2

Early courgettes on sale, but prices still high

Courgettes have begun appearing in Christchurch shops and within a few weeks the courgette season should be well under way.

At present, limited quantities of North Island courgettes are the main source of supply and are still expensive, although a few local hot-house courgettes have also sold. A North Island consignment reached Christchurch produce markets yesterday and prices ranged from $l5 for a quarter-case to $4O for a half-case. Retail prices averaged about $6 or $7 a kilogram.

Smaller courgettes have the best flavour. When the vegetable grows larger it tastes more like a marrow. Courgettes were originally early-picked marrows but in the last decade growers have developed a separate plant which produces more courgettes at a faster rate. The summer delicacy, also called zucchini, can be served hot or cold as a plain vegetable, stuffed or with vegetable combinations. Blanched courgettes are also tasty in salads with a French dressing.

The first new season marrows also arrived yesterday from Auckland hot-houses. The small consignment sold well and more loads are. expected until December when local marrow crops will be ready. Coleslaw cabbages are scarce. North Island growers are selling their drumhead cabbages locally because

prices are high. Most cabbages on the market yesterday were the hybrid spring variety with one Oamaru grower supplying drumheads. Prices ranged with quality from $4 t 0.512 a bag. Oamaru spring carrots made their first appearance in shops last week. Carrot prices varied dramatically this week from old local carrots to the more expensive Pukekohe carrots which fetched to $22.50 a bag. Local carrots have almost finished their season but Hawke's Bay and Pukekohe growers will be sending more crops next week.

The asparagus season is nearing its peak with plenty of good-quality local asparagus available at $2 to $3 a kilogram.

Lettuces are abundant and slightly cheaper than last week. Cases from Nelson, Oamaru, and local growers fetched between $3 and $5. Tomato prices are stable in spite of continuing demand. More local and Blenheim tomatoes are entering the markets at $l5 to $17.30 a case.

Cauliflower . prices have firmed after warm weather a week ago ripened crops and increased supplies brought prices down. Cauliflowers sold at $3 to $5.70 a bag yesterday. Pumpkin is one winter vegetable which is still plentiful. Prices also firmed to between $9 and $l6 a bag. Kumara from Dargaville and Motueka varied in quality from $lO to $27 a carton.

Better-quality main crop potatoes are also slightly dearer than last week. Black soil Chippewa's fetched to $4.50 a bag. 'Bags of new potatoes from. Nelson and Pukekohe sold to $l4.

kiwifruit will soon disappear from shop shelves this year. North Island suppliers are finishing' their season and kiwifruit sold at $22 to $26 a half-case. Strawberries are slightly cheaper this week. More consignments from the central North Island sold at $12.80 to $l7 a tray. Shipments of Filipino bananas and Australian Riverland oranges are keeping retailers well supplied. Island pawpaws and coconuts, and Australian pineapples added some variety to markets yesterday.

This week’s recipe BAKED COURGETTES I'/2 cups bread crumbs 3 medium-sized courgettes 2 eggs, lightly beaten ’Zi cup butter 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Cheddar cheese salt Method: Preheat the oven to 180 deg. Celsius. Mix the bread crumbs with salt. Slice the washed, courgettes diagonally into Icm slices. Dip the slices into the beaten eggs and then the seasoned crumbs. Arrange the slices on a buttered pan. Dot slices with butter and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 40 minutes until tender.