Season’s first asparagus arrives

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 10

Season’s first asparagus arrives

The season’s first asparagus was auctioned at a Christchurch market yesterday. It fetched up to $l3 a kg. Only limited amounts were available from the North Island, but supplies were expected to increase in the next few weeks. Another market was expecting a consignment from Cambridge today. Broccoli and celery from Canterbury, Nelson and the North Island were plentiful at both markets yesterday. Broccoli fetched from $4 to $5.50 a small case and from $4 to $6 a 4.5 kg carton.

Celery fetched between $6 and $16.60 a case at one market, depending on the size of the celery. The first of the season’s Gold Nugget pumpkins from Australia were stocked at one market. The small, bright orange pumpkin is sweet and moist to eat, and easy to prepare. One suggestion is to cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, add a little butter, freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Bake or steam about five minutes in a microwave oven, or until soft in a standard oven. Try filling the pumpkin with a little chopped onion, garlic,

bacon, cheese, tomato, or mushroom.

Golden Nuggets fetched up to $22 a case. Cabbage were reasonably well stocked, fetching up to $l7 a bag, and from $8 to $26 a bag of eight. Cauliflowers continued to be in short supply, fetching from $16.80 to $2O a bag of eight, and up to $23 a bag at another market Stocks of Brussels sprouts were starting to dwindle, reported one market. District-grown Brussels sprouts were not as good as those from Pukekohe. They fetched up to $34 a crate. Silver beet was still in short supply and expensive, fetching from $25 to $32 a case. Curly kale was well supplied and sold for up to $5 a case. Radishes were in good supply, and increased stocks of cucumber were also evident. Some Australian cucumber was stocked at from $3O to $32 a box of 30 to 40. White cucumber fetched up to $2B a box of 30. A variety of outdoor and glasshouse-grown lettuces were stocked. Outdoor lettuces came from Oamaru. Auckland and

Nelson. Canterbury glasshouse lettuces fetched from $9 to $ll for six, or $1.50 to $2 each. Oamaru lettuces rose in price at one market, fetching up to $l5 a case, and fetched up to $lO a carton of 10 at another market. Nelson lettuces fetched up to $25 a case of 12, and Auckland varieties fetched up to $35 for 21. Island produce this week included pickling mangos, okra, sugar cane, Island paw paw, and fresh! tumeric root The tumeric was similar in appearance to the New Zealand yam. It can be used as a base for most curry dishes. Australian produce included courgettes, at up to $54 a 10kg carton; beans, at up to $32 a 7kg carton; ginger, at up to $4 a kg, aubergines, at up to $24 an Bkg carton, and green and red peppers, from $3 to $4 a kg. New Zealand citrus was abundant, especially oranges and tangelos. Oranges fetched up to $lB a 19kg carton, and tangelos, from $l5 to $22 a 15 to 18kg carton. Grapefruit was cheap at from 50 cents to 60 cents a kg. Meyer lemons fetched up to $1.20 a kg, and standard lemons, up to 70 cents a kg.

Kiwifruit was plentiful, fetching from $8 to $lO a 10kg carton. Tamarillos fetched from $l2 to $l5 a 9kg carton. Imported fruit included .Australian pineapples, at from $2 to $3 each; Australian rockmelon, at up to $53 a carton, and Queensland strawberries, which fetched up to $7O a

tray of 20 punnets. Californian Thompson seedless and Ribier

grapes were in stock, fetching from $44.70 to $46.50 depending on the variety. Philippine bananas rose slightly in price, up to $24.20 a carton, from $23.80 last week.

BROCCOLI WITH TUNA SAUCE 750 g broccoli 25g butter 1 small onion, grated 2 tbspn flour 185 g can tuna liquid from tuna and milk to make one cup salt and pepper lemon juice y 2 cup grated cheese Paprika Method: Cook broccoli in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and place in greased, heatproof dish. Melt butter in a sauce pan and fry onion gentlyfor three minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in flour and blend in liquid.. Return to heat and stir while bringing to the boil. Add lightly flaked tuna to sauce and simmer for two minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Pour sauce over broccoli. Top with grated cheese and grill until cheese melts. Dust with paprika. Serves six.

FRESH SNAP BEAN CASSEROLE 2 cups cooked beans (cut in thirds)

4 large tomatoes, chopped 3 slices bacon, chopped (optional) 2 small onions, chopped salt and pepper

Method: Fry bacon and onion, combine with rest of ingredients. Place in greased casserole dish, top with cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling.