Fumigation holds up Aust produce

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 30

Fumigation holds up Aust produce

There was a shortage oT Australian cucumbers, courgettes, rockmelons and honeydew melons at the market this week because of fumigation procedures that held produce up in Australia. Market managers were unsure when the produce would arrive, but they had been told by Australian counterparts that supplies would be cleared as soon as possible. Until then, telegraph cucumbers, courgettes, and melon prices would remain firm. Brocolli and cauliflower fell back in price this week to a more realistic $6 to $7 a carton for Oamaru brocolli, and cauliflower $6.40 to $7.20 for a bag of eight. Tomatoes firmed as supplies shortened up with tail-end crops finishing. Nelson crops at the end of their season were of lesser quality, fetching the lowest price of $lO to $l5 a 4.5 kg carton. A backlog in Auckland supplies which did not arrive yesterday also helped push prices higher. These were fielding $3B to $43 for 7kg cartons when available. Local crops were $2O to $3O for 4.5 kg cartons. <

The market auctioneer for tomatoes said prices were likely to remain firm until supplies freed up during the next two or three weeks.

Bad weather had affected lettuce supplies this week, as well as causing a shortfall in glass house lettuces. Nelson lettuces were reasonably sized and cost $l6 to $22 a case. Parnassus were of high quality at $2O to $2l a case. Oamaru was $7 to $9 a case and hothouse, $3 a head.

Demand for carrots was not strong overall, said one of the auctioneers. , But, good quality carrots and parsnips were attracting good prices. Carrots were $5 to $10.50 a 20kg bag, and parsnips, $9 to $lO a 10kg bag.

Parsley, at $6.50 to $7 a bunch, was selling well because there was little of it at this time of the year. Alfalfa sprouts were being eagerly snapped up with 200 punnets sold at about 65 cents each. Bean sprouts also proved good sellers at about $4.50 for five bags. Consumers may notice some specials on Dargaville kumara at Christ-

church supermarkets. These sold between $25 to $35 a box.

Firmed celery prices were the result of bad weather. These were $l2 to $l6 a case of 9 to 12 sticks.

Most other prices remained fairly constant. Onions were $5 to $8 a bag, and jumbo $9 to slo' a 10kg bag. Potatoes are still popular during the cold nights as complementaries to the roast dinner. These were $2 to $4 a 20g bag, and Red King $4 a 10kg bag. Top quality Southland swedes were $4 to $6.50 a bag. Another vegetable which is attracting a loyal following from younger experimental cooks is Witloof or chicory costing from $4 to $5 a kilogram. Courgettes are still quite expensive and may firm with the Australian supplies being held up. These were up to $5 a kilogram. Cucumbers were $1.20 each. There was little change in fruit this week, besides the addition of two new pears; Tyford Monarch and Glou Morceau.

Tyford Monarch was $20.70 an IBkg crate, and Glou Morceau, $14.40 an

18kg crate. Beurre Bose, which had disappeared a few weeks ago, reappeared at $l5 an 18kg crate. Winter Cole pears were still the most popular with customers. Apple prices remained unchanged. Braeburn was $23.90 for 15kg cartons, Red Delicious $16.20 for 15kg, Granny Smith $14.50 for 15kg, and Golden Delicious came to an end this week. Ballarat was the slowest seller at $10.50. Orchard Crisp apples are still selling well. Australian navel oranges are now in good supply and meeting a very keen demand, according to one of the market managers.

Avacados are still available in large quantities. Haas is $22 to $25 a tray, Zutano $l2 to $l5 a tray and Fuerte $4O a carton. Kiwifruit is of better quality than earlier in the season and selling for $4 to $6 a 7kg carton. Mandarins are nearing the end of season, especially Clementine. Both Satsuma and Clementine are fetching $1.50 to $2.50 a kilogram. Passionfruit are 20 cents to 25 cents each.

Something to look forward to next week is the arrival of Thompsons seedless grapes from the United States to add some variety. Today’s Recipe: SIIL VERBEET QUICHE Depending on size o dish, use: 3 eggs to 1c milk or 4 eggs to li/ 2 c milk

Season to taste with pepper or herbs. For a richer quiche use yolks only and substitute half the quantity of milk with cream.

Method: Wash Silverbeet, place in saucepan. Cover and cook in minimum amount of water with a sprig of rosemary. Remove herbs and drain well.

Sprinkle a layer of grated cheese into an unbaked pastry case, a layer of prepared silverbeet and sliced tomato. Pour over egg and milk mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 180 degrees celsius or 375 farenheit for about 45 minutes (until set).