Tamarillos good buying

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 2

Tamarillos good buying

Tamarillos were again plentiful at Christchurch markets yesterday. With the Railways staffing dispute over, good quantities of fruit were available. They were in excellent condition and had good colour. The tamarillo was originally from South America and was first recorded in New Zealand in 1892 as a Sellow and purple strain, led varieties were derived later with the introduction of additional strains from the United States. Greater quantities of the fruit have been grown since World War 11. A yellow variety is still available which has a milder, less acidic flavour. Tamarillos are a good source of vitamin C and have a very high vitamin A content. They are best eaten when properly ripe, when the fruit is soft to touch. They can be enjoyed on their own, or with sweet or savoury dishes. Originally known as the tree tomato, the name was changed in 1967 to provide a more appealing and exotic name for commercial purposes. At the markets yesterday, tamarillos ranged from $l5 to $lB a half-case. Feijoas were plentiful, with excellent quality fruit fetching to $2O a bushel case. The first of the avocadoes since before Easter cost between $4O and $62 for a tray of 18 to 30 fruit. Kiwifruit, from Nelson, were $1.20 to $1.40 a kg bag

or $7 a 4.5 kg tray. The first of the mandarins, from Kerikeri, sold at $lB to $23 a half-case and passionfruit made $8 to $l2 a half-case. Lemons, from Gisborne and Kerikeri, were $l5 a half-case. New Zealand oranges were $lB to $22 a bushel. Pepinos are still available at $5 to $7 a tray, varying from 18 to 30 fruit a tray. Cold weather has affected the strawberries, which are near the end of the season, and a tray of 12 punnets sold between $12.20 to

$15.60. A fresh shipment of Californian oranges, grapefruit, and lemons has arrived and a shipment of bananas is due on Monday and should be in the shops by Tuesday. Tomatoes varied in quality, and this was reflected in the price. Outside-grown tomatoes were $2 for 4.5 kg and new season’s glasshouse tomatoes made to $9 for 4.5 kg. Most vegetables were still plentiful. Cold weather has affected the quality of the cauli-

flower and bags of eight made from $3 to $7. Drumhead cabbages were $1 to $2 for a bag of about eight. Broccoli was $2 to $4 a halfcase. An 18kg bag of carrots was $1.50 to $5 and similar size bags of parsnips were $4 to $6 a bag. The best of the sweetcorn was to 18c a cob. Brussels sprouts from Oamaru were $7 to $9.50 a 6kg bag, and North Island kumera were to $l5 an 18kg carton. Onions are still holding their price of $ll to $l4 a bag and pickling onions are plentiful at $8 to $lO a bag. Courgettes were scarce and fetched $2O to $3O a half-case.

Today's recipe SPICED TAMARILLOS 9 tamarillos 1 cup sugar 1 scm long cinnamon stick % cup vinegar 6 whole cloves 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind Method: Remove skins from tamarillos and cut in half. Place vinegar, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon rind in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the halved tamarillos and simmer for 10 minutes then pack tamarillos into hot, clean screw top jars. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over to fill the jars and cover with screw tops. Makes two 300 ml jars. Serve with cold meats.