Witloof high in vitamins

Press, 17 June 1983, Page 2

Witloof high in vitamins

After earlier delays, witloof finally arrived at Christchurch produce markets this week. From the North Island, the witloof has in recent weeks been delayed by bad weather and railway disputes. Market prices this week were $l2 to $13.50 a carton.

Witloof, sometimes called chicory or Belgian endive, is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals.

To prepare, trim the stalk end and cut out a small cone to a depth of about one centimetre, leaving a narrow border of stem so that the leaves do not fall apart. This removes the bitter flavour. Also, keep it away from direct light as it turns green and becomes very bitter. To prevent witloof from going yellow, sprinkle with lemon juice rather than soak in water. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days and is easy to freeze.

All other vegetables are plentiful including carrots, parsnips, spring onions, spinach, and white turnips.

Broccoli ranged in price and size of carton from $3 to $lB. Brussels sprouts from Oamaru were a good buy this week. They were cheaper, at $3 to $5.50 a bag, and the quality was excellent.

Drumhead cabbages were reasonably priced, at $2.50 to $4.50 a bag, and red cabbages fetched $3 to $5 a

Cauliflower varied in

quality and sold for $2 to $6 a bag. Although lettuces have finished their season, supplies from Oamaru are plentiful. They fetched $2 to $6.50 a case.

Potatoes are plentiful Ham Hardy fetching $3 to $4 a bag, and Rua $4 to $5 a

bag. Crown pumpkin was $6 to $9 a bag, butternuts $8 to $l5 a bag, and buttercup $6 to $9 a bag.

Capsicums were scarce this week and only hothouse supplies were available. These sold for $l6 to $l9 a 2kg carton. Hot-house

cucumbers, or telegraphs, were $23 to $24 a carton,, and North Island kumara were $l5 to $24 a carton. North Island avocadoes arrived in Christchurch this week but prices were expensive at $55 a tray. Kiwifruit is plentiful at $5 to $6 a tray, as are satsuma and clementine mandarins at $2O to $2B a bushel. Goldfruit is coming forward in greater quanities and were available this week for $l7 a bushel. Grapes fetched $l6 to $lB a 2.5 kg carton, passionfruit up to $l4 a half case, and pepinos, $3 to $6 a tray.

Tomatoes are plentiful with local supplies selling at $7 to $ll a 4.5 kg carton, and North Island supplies selling at $l6 to $lB a 7kg carton. Although most shops are stocked with bananas, more are not expected until next week. A shipment of Equadorean bananas was expected to arrive tomorrow but this may be affected by the watersiders’ strike which will end at 6 a.m. tomorrow. Bananas sell at a fixed retail price of $1.46 a kilogram. This week’s recipe WITLOOF FLAN Short crust pastry 3 heads of witloof black pepper lemon juice 2 eggs l>/4 cups cream Vztspn salt pinch of nutmeg METHOD: Fill a 20cm flan ring with the pastry and bake blind in the middle of the oven at 190.5 deg. C. for eight to nine minutes. Gently wash the witloof and remove the bitter part. Chop the witloof in slices and sprinkle with black pepper and lemon juice. Fill the pastry case. Blend the eggs and cream with seasonings. Pour over the witloof, and dot with butter. Bake a further 25 to 30 minutes.