Proper storage important during hot weather

Press, 26 October 1984, Page 2

Proper storage important during hot weather

A good range of fruit and vegetables was available at the markets again this week with salad vegetables being plentiful. Lettuces dropped in price to $3 to 56 for a case of

about 10. These are excellent in quality. Radishes were to $3.60 for a dozen bunches and spring onions were to $5, also for a dozen bunches. Telegraph cucumbers were $3 to $3.40 for a pase of about six and shorts were $5 to $l5, depending on the number in the case.

It is important that vegetables are stored correctly during hot weather. Most ripe fruit and vegetables, with the exception of potatoes, dry onions, kumara and whole pumpkins, belong in the refrigerator, as low temperatures slow down the "breathing” and help to retain the fresh taste.

When storing fruit and vegetables in the general refrigerator area, they should be wrapped in plastic bags or plastic film to

stop them drying out. If using the vegetable crisper, wrapping will not be necessary unless the crisper is less than two-thirds full.

Potatoes and kumara should be stored in a dry place with good ventilation away from a source of light. Onions should be stored at room temperature in loosely woven or open mesh containers as they decay at high temperatures and high humidity. Spring carrots have dropped in price since earlier in the week and range to 526.50 a bag, depending on whether they are

local or from Pukekohe. Cabbages are 52 to $4 a bag for new season varieties. These are both local and from Pukekohe and plentiful.

Quality and price varied with cauliflower from $3 to $8 a bag. Asparagus is nearing the end of the season and went to $3B for Bkg. Courgettes were $3 to $5.50 a case.

The first of the season’s broad beans were available and cost between $5 and $9 for a quarter case. These are small and sweet and can be sliced and used like ordinary beans.

Citrus fruits were plentiful. Goldfruit was 511 to 514 a bushel, lemons were $l4 to 517 a bushel and Tangelos were 55 to $2O, also for a bushel. ' Tamarillos were scarce and priced accordingly at $35 to $4O a half-case. Kiwifruit, also short, were $2B a half-case.

Strawberries from Hawke’s Bay were to $2O for a tray of 12 punnets. Today’s recipe CURRIED NEW POTATOES 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp curry 1 onion, chopped 4 medium to large new potatoes 1/ntsp instant chicken stock

1 tsp sugar dissolved in 1 cup hot water Vz cup peas ’/< cup sour cream 4 to 6 hard-boiled eggs

Method: Melt butter in frypan. Add curry powder and onion. Cook gently while you scrape the new Eotatoes. Cut each potato in alf lengthwise, then cut each half into four quarters. Add potato to curry mixture, stir well. Add chicken stock and sugar/water mixture. Cover pan and simmer gently for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and liquid is thick. Add peas and sour cream, cook until sauce thickens again. Add eggs and cook until eggs are warmed through.