Kiwano fruit new to Chch

Press, 18 May 1984, Page 2

Kiwano fruit new to Chch

A new variety of subtropical fruit, kiwano, is available in Christchurch. The fruit is spiky with a yellow skin. It is grown by Mr J. K. Morris, of Kaukapakapa, north of Auckland. The plant, a member of the cucumber family, is said to be 3000 years old. It was originally known as the “African horned cucumber” and comes from Malawi and other regions of southern Africa.

The fruit is described as having a subtle taste of banana and lime.

At the markets yesterday, kiwanos sold for $2.50 each or $2O for a tray of eight. More are due but these are expected to be smaller as the fruit are nearing the end of their season.

Good supplies of all winter fruits were available yesterday. Locally-growned babacoes were $3 to $4.50 a half-case of three to six fruit. Kiwifruit from Nelson are plentiful and quality is good, although some are still a little green. To ripen,

put the fruit with an apple in a warm place. Feijoas were $lO to $l5 a half-case and tamarillos were $l5 to $lB a half-case. New Zealand-grown Satsuma mandarins were $l4 to $l6 a half-case. Passionfruit were $8 a quarter-case and avocadoes were down in price again at $2O to $25 a tray. Rockmelon were $18.60 to $2l a carton of four to eight fruit. A few strawberries were still available at $l5 to punnets. A fresh shipment of bananas from the Phillipines is due on Monday and pineapples also from the Phillipines, will probably also be available. Vegetables were also well supplied at the markets yes-' terday. Tomatoes were $2 to $9 for 4.5 kg and lettuces were $3 to $5 a case of eight to 10.

A 20kg bag of Southland swedes made $4 to $5 and a bag of eight drumhead cabbages was $1.20 to $2.20. Cauliflower was $l.BO to

$5.80 for a bag of about eight. Broccoli was $3 to $8.50 a half-case and brussels sprouts from Oamaru were $4 to $7 for a bag of approximately 6kg. Cucumbers were in short supply and fetched to $1 each or $5.30 to $8 a carton. Green beans are near the end of their season and sold up to $6 a kg. Watercress was available yesterday at $1.50 for a dozen bunches and the first of the season’s witloof was $l5 to $2O for a skg carton. Yams were $1 to $2.50 for Ikg and onions were still in short supply at $l2 to $l4 a 20kg bag. Pickling onions were $lO, also for a 20kg bag. Potatoes and pumpkin were both in plentiful supply. Today’s Recipe KIWANO DESSERT 1 kiwano 1 pineapple peaches pears

whipped cream chopped nuts chocolate flakes Method: Cut kiwano in half, scoop out pulp and mix

with peaches, pears and pineapples. Place mixture in shell, chill, top with cream, nuts and chocolate flakes.