Potatoes plentiful and cheap at present

Press, 22 June 1984, Page 2

Potatoes plentiful and cheap at present

A bumper supply of potatoes at Christchurch produce markets this week has meant low prices. Quality matched quantity and wholesale prices ranged from $1 to $3 for a 20kg bag. A retail survey yesterday showed that prices started from about 39c a kilogram and one supermarket chain was offering the 20kg bag at $1.49. Ham Hardy fetched $1 to $1.40 a bag, Rua $1.50 to $2 a bag, and Chippewa $1.50 to $3 a bag.

Most other winter fare was plentiful with shortages only in some produce from the North Island. Growers there have been consigning less to the South Island since the recent railway dispute at Picton. Courgettes were among those affected but these have been boosted by consignments from Australia. Quality is good but prices are expensive at $61.20 a 10kg carton. Capsicum prices have eased to $lB a 2kg carton. A half-case, about 7kg, fetched $57.

Cabbages were cheap, at $1 to $2 a bag of about

eight, as were crown pumpkins, at $2 to $4 a bag. Buttercups were $2 to $2.50 a bag while butternuts,

nearing the end of their season, were slightly dearer at $lO a bag. The best supplies of spin-

ach met a good demand at up to $7 a bushel case while the best of the celery also fetched $7 a case. Silverbeet was plentiful and sold for $1.50 to $4 a case and Dargaville kumara was reasonably priced at $lO to $lB a case.

Rhubarb was scarce so prices were high at $9 to $11.50 for half-dozen bunches.

Today’s recipe ORANGE-GLAZED KUMARA 750 g kumara 25g butter Vz cup water 1 orange 1 tblspn sugar ’Atspn salt Method: Peel kumara and cut- into slices. Grate the rind from the orange and set aside. Place the kumara slices into a heavy frying pan with the juice from the orange, butter, sugar, water, and salt. Cover and bring to boil. When just tender, remove the lid and boil steadily until water has evaporated. Turn into serving dish and sprinkle with grated orange rind.