No harm done bv cold snap

Press, 19 June 1986, Page 14

No harm done bv cold snap

Most vegetables at Christchurch markets yesterday seemed unaffected by the cold snap at the week-end. Prices remained firm for good quality produce. Winter greens were well supplied, with supplementary produce also available from Australia. Supplies of cauliflowers were just managing to keep pace with the strong demand, fetching between $4.50 and $7 a bag of eight at one market, and up to $8.40 a bag at another market. Limited stocks of cabbages were available, fetching up to $13.80 a bag of six to 10 heads. A few red cabbage were available, fetching $1 a head and up to $5 a bag. Plentiful winter vegetables included parsnips and silver beet. Parsnips were sweet and fetched between $5 and $8 a 10kg bag. Silver beet sold for between $4 and $6.50 a case and between $5 and $l2 a bushel case. Carrots and Southland swedes were also in good supply. Carrots fetched between $7.50 and $ll a 20kg bag. Good quality hothousegrown spinach was also stocked, fetching up to $1 a bunch and between $7.20 and $l4 a dozen bunches. Some Jersualem artichokes were in stock, fetching between $4 and $5 a half case. Potatoes were well supplied with several varieties available, including Ruas, Ham Hardys, Black Soil, Chippewas and Red King (from Southland). Potato prices remained

stable at between $4 and $4.50 a 20kg bag at one market. For best quality Ruas and Ham Hardys were the buy. Up to $4.50 was paid for a bag. Black Soil fetched up to $6, and Red King up to $3.60 a bag. The earlier flooding in Canterbury had affected some crops, as they could not be harvested in time, but now there were no obvious shortages, one market reported. If shortages occurred, plenty of supplies would be available from North Island growers, the market said. Pumpkins were well supplied. Crown fetched between $5 and $6 a bag, and good condition buttercup up to $5 a bag. Butternuts were also plentiful, but the keeping quality varied, one market said. Kumara, both golden and red varieties from the North Island, were stocked. Golden varieties fetched up to $25 an 18kg bushel, and red up to $34. Mushrooms, were less well supplied this week, as some indoor grown varieties had been affected by a blotch on the skin, said one market. Supply improved yesterday, and prices ranged from $lO to $27 and from $lB.BO a tray, depending on the quality. Onions were reasonably well stocked. Prices were firm because the tonnage grown in Canterbury was down this year, one market said. Demand for tomatoes was strong. District grown stocks fetched up to $l6 for a 4.5 kg carton, and Auckland stocks fetched between $2O and $26 a 7kg carton. Australian stocks helping supplement New Zealand produce included courgettes, beans, eggplant, scallopini, snow peas, broccoli and cucumbers. Eggplant fetched up to $22 a 6kg carton. Scallopini was up to $6 a kg, and snow peas were fetching between $9.50 and $11.50 a kg. Fruit varieties were not so abundant this week. Kiwifruit continued to be plentifully stocked, although prices have firmed slightly in recent weeks.

The average price yesterday ranged from 45c to 70c a kg. Tamarillos were better supplied, fetching between $lO and $lB an 8 to 9kg carton, and between $1.50 and $2 a kg. Some stocks of fuyu non-astringent persimmons were also stocked. They fetched between $l2 and $l4 a tray of 20 to 25 fruit. A native to Japan, North America, China, Western Asia and the Himalayas, they have been known as the “food of the gods.” They are best used as soon as they are ripe, and may be spooned out of their skin, pureed, or cooked like an apple sauce in a light syrup until tender, and sweetened if desired. Mandarins, including Clementines and Satsuma varieties were also stocked, although the Clementine variety have been less well supplied this year, one market said. Plenty of Philippine bananas were stocked, fetching up to $22 a carton. Australian oranges were short this week, but another shipment is due next week. Australian grapes were plentiful, fetching up to $26 a 10kg carton. i Australian watermelons, honey dew, and rock were also well stocked. Rock melons were the most expensive, fetching up to $67 a carton of 18 to 21 fruit. Apple varieties and pears also remained well supplied. Choice of apples included Red and Golden Delicious, Splendour, Braeburn and Granny Smith. Pear varieties included Winter Cole and Packham. Today’s recipes Scrumptious Shiitake shiitake Peanut oil >/2 tspn garlic 54 tspn ginger Salt/pepper Spring onions Method: Heat oil in pan and add crushed ginger and garlic. Saute in pan. Remove mushroom stalks and wash. While pan is very hot, add mushrooms and stir quickly. Add a small

amount of boiling water to prevent burning. Simmer for 10 minutes in juice. Thicken with cornflour and water. Add oyster sauce and garnish with spring onions. Serve on a bed of lettuce or spinach. Sweet and salty Shiitake mushrooms 6-7 med. shiitake mushrooms 2 tbspns light soy sauce. 2 tbspns sugar Method: Slice shiitake

caps in y 8 inch thick slices. Put shiitake, soy sauce and sugar in a small pot and bring to a simmer. Cook over a low heat for four minutes and serve. There should be a small amount of liquid left. Creamed honeyed ginger Shiitake IOOg shiitake, sliced 50g butter 54 tbspn honey 54 tbspn grated green ginger

100 ml cream Salt and pepper Cornflour or egg yolk Method: Saute sliced mushrooms in butter with ginger, salt and pepper until limp. Melt in honey. Add cream, taking care not to boil it. Thicken with cornflour or egg yolk. Serve hot or cold on toast or crackers with a slice of tomato or use as a sauce to accompany chicken or steak. In place of honey and ginger try chillies or spice seasoning.