Stonefruit dominates, over-all trading slower

Press, 30 January 1986, Page 12

Stonefruit dominates, over-all trading slower

Stonefruit continued to dominate Christchurch markets this week, with prices generally cheaper than last year as the season reaches its peak, although trading over-all was slightly slower than usual for the time of year.

Especially good for bottling, Trevatts apricots were selling for between $7 and $8 a case, depending on size, and Moorpark dessert apricots sold at $7 to $lO a case. Roxburgh Reds are coming to the end of their season.

Glow Haven, Red Haven and Hale Haven peaches were all available, with plenty of Eclipse peaches in stock, selling for $5 to $7 a case. Eclipse is popular for bottling, and the prices are unlikely to get any cheaper. The first of the old variety Wiggins peaches, good for desserts and eating, were available, and selling for $4 to $5 a case. Plums were fetching good prices, with large Purple Kings selling for up to $2B a case, and Red Doris up to $l5 a case. Shiro plums are past their main season, and harder to find, rising in price to about $lB a case. Billingtons, good for jam and sauce, were still available. Large Sunglow nectarines, smaller sized Early Blaze, and Fantasias from Nelson were all selling for up to $l5 a case. The first greengages of the season appeared from the North Island, selling for $38.50 a case.

Also at a higher price, Sunkist tangeloes auctioned for up to $4O a case, and Sunkist oranges and grapefruit were still available. Tongan bananas continued to sell very cheaply, and the sweeteating, good sized New Zealand Encore mandarins sold for up to $36 a case.

Some New Zealand lemons, which have been generally scarce this season, were auctioned for up to $45 a case, and Valencia oranges sold for up to $22 a case. On the more exotic side, Equadorian limes, babacos, paw paws, pineapples from Australia’s Alligator Creek in Queensland, and Hass avocados from Gisborne were all available.

Kiwifruit is still plentiful, and of good flavour, coming from controlled atmosphere stores. Strawberries fetched $9 to $l5 a tray, raspberries up to $lB a tray, blueberries up to $l4 and boysenberries up to $l3.

the quantity remained adequate. Cucumbers sold well, with the outdoor variety now plentiful, and apple cucumbers now available from Blenheim.

The large, delicious Australian Cardinal grapes were available, as was a good supply of Nelson rock melons. The melons were selling for about $2 each, depending on size, and make a simple but interesting dessert. Salad vegetables dropped back a little in price, with cabbages selling for $4.50 a bag, and red cabbages for about $4.70 a bag. Lettuces sold at between $1.20 and $3 a case, and tomatoes were also down a little, selling at $3 to $7 for a 4.5 kg box, but

Small amounts of gherkins are also coming forward, and aubergines were available.

Red peppers are still in short supply, but green peppers were available in good quantity, selling at up to $5 a large case. Kumaras are still popular and selling at $45 a case, while red pumpkins dropped in price to $l5 a bag. Brussels sprouts sold for up to $lB for a small bag, and leeks continued to sell well for $6 a small case.

Yellow scallopini and yellow courgettes were available, and the ordin-

ary variety of courgettes was selling for up to $l5 a case.

A line of large com cobs from Nelson sold for $l5 a case, and broccoli supplies were down and selling for between $lO and $35 a case, depending on size.

New season garlic is available in good supply, and mushrooms were selling for up to $l7 for a 3kg tray.

Cauliflowers were fetching high prices, selling for up to $ll a bag. Today's recipes

Seafood Avocado Cocktail 2 ripe avocados. 2 tablespoons mayon-

naise. 1 cup chopped prawns, salmon or available seafood. a little whipped cream.

lemon juice to taste. dash of tabasco. Method: Cut avocados in half length-wise, and remove stone and flesh, Brush the inside with lemon juice to prevent discolouration. Mash the flesh with fork or blender, add mayonnaise and lemon juice to desired taste. Season with salt and pepper, add tabasco and lastly whipped cream. Fold in seafood and add to avocado shells. Decorate with chopped pars-

ley and serve well chilled, Serves four. Avocado Quickies Combine finely chopped prawns, mashed avocado, lemon juice and chopped chives. Mix well and - spread on rounds of wholemeal toast Mix together 1 cup pureed avocado, y 4 cup softened cream cheese, 1 dessertspoon lemon juice, salt and pepper. Use on dry biscuits, small rounds of toasted or fried bread or filling for celery stalks.