Grapes scarce on otherwise bountiful market

Press, 24 September 1987, Page 32

Grapes scarce on otherwise bountiful market

Grapes seemed to be the only variety of fruit missing from the market floor in Christchurch this week. Californian grapes have been in short supply and aS a result, prices in retail outlets have finned. The markets expect further consignments to arrive next week. However, most other lines, including citrus fruit and apples, were well supplied. The first of the Richared apples appeared this week, fetching $15.20 a 15kg box. This variety is a very crisp, juicy eating apple. The same quantity of Granny Smiths fetched $14.60, while Golden Delicious apples were at $13.20 and Stunners at $lO.BO. An 18kg carton of Red Delicious sold for $20.46. New Zealand oranges remain plentiful and of a good quality. The Australian navels have finished. The first of the Australian Valencia oranges should arrive next week, along with increased supplies of New Zealand lemons. Kiwifruit, fetching 80c to $1 a kilogram, is readily available, but the demand has not been great A few tamarillos from Nelson and Keri Kerl are still reaching the shelves although the season has nearly finished. Equadorian bananas will be back on the market soon to take over when the Philippine banana season ends. Joining the more exotic Australian mangos, honeydew melons and rock melons, were Darwin green melons, which are similar to the rock melon. They have a very juicy, green flesh. Strawberries are still a luxury item. The Canterbury hothouse fruit is fetching $42 for a tray of 12 punnets, and the Australian strawberries, $5B to $6O for 20 punnets. There is plenty of lettuce about for making crisp, spring salads, but it will be another few weeks before the Canterbury outdoor produce is available. Lettuces from Nel-* son, Blenheim and Parnassus have almost finished. Nelson lettuce is of the best-quality, although Oamaru produce is cheaper and a good standby. Canterbury glass-

house lettuces are still available. Cucumbers remain quite expensive, the telegraph variety fetching $1.50 to $2.30 each. Radishes were at $5 to $6 for 12 bunches and spring onions at $3 to $5. Canterbury tomatoes are in good supply, although the cooler nights may have some effect on them. Because the price of North Island tomatoes has firmed there are not so many being sold in Christchurch. The new season’s spinach is picking up in quantity, with the better-qual-ity bunches fetching higher prices. Some Oamaru spinach is still available. Australian broccoli continues to supplement supplies from Blenheim and . Oamaru. The stems of broccoli can be used in cooking, along with the heads, and in selecting the most tender stems consumers should look for those which are not too heavy and woody. Because there were no hard frosts to thin out the silver beet this winter, it has remained well supplied all season, although sales have not been good. The vegetable is currently fetching $3 to $6 a case, but crops are not likely to last much longer. New potatoes from Pukekohe were scarce again this week because of wet weather round Auckland, and also transport problems. New potatoes were arriving from Nelson to ease the situation. As the season has neared its end, pumpkins have lifted in price to between 60 and 70 cents a kilogram. There were only a small quantity of butternuts available. Yams and brussels sprouts are also finishing; the quality of the sprouts has deteriorated accordingly. They fetched $1.50 to $2 a kilogram. Flowers Tulips in a wide variety of colours were plentiful this week. These flowers, from crops between Walpara and Darfield, fetched between 40 cents and $2 a bunch, the more popular colours making higher prices. Freesias, at between $1 and $3 a bunch, are in full swing, but there are only a few daffodils still being sold at the market.

The first of the new season's roses sold well and supplies should keep picking up if the weather stays fine. A flower which has become Increasingly popular recently is the Alstromeria. It is from the illy species and is one of the oldest flowers. The Alstromeria has been hybridised and developed so that it is now grown in quite a range of colours. It is grown under glass in some parts of Canterbury; the plants have to be imported. In spite of a storm damaging crops in Wan-, ganui last week, some flowers from there, were available in Christchurch yesterday. These were showing some signs of damage. . It is nearing the end of the season for plants, Polyanthus and pansies were the only varieties available yesterday. Today’s recipes POTATO SAVOURIES 3 slices thinly sliced bread butter for spreading 1 cup mashed potato 1 cup grated cheese 1 egg 1 tbispn onion pulp 1 rasher bacon, chopped salt or seasoned salt to taste paprika Method:Butter bread, remove crusts, and cut each slice in four small squares. Press into patty tins, butter side down. Mix mashed potatoes with cheese, egg, onion , pulp and bacon. Add seasoning to taste, then divide filling between the twelve uncooked bread cases. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 190 deg. for 20-30 minutes. Serve hot, or cool on rack, freeze and reheat when required. HOT MUSHROOM SANDWICHES 2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms ' 2 tblspns butter cup mayonnaise % cup finely diced ham salt, pepper 4 thick slices French bread, sliced . grated Cheddar cheese MethodiCombine first six ingredients. Divide on four slices French bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in a hot oven, 200 deg. until cheese is bubbly (about 10 minutes.)