Weather affects root crops

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 14

Weather affects root crops

Root crops were the worst affected by the hail, snow and frost that hit Canterbury this week, driving prices up and shortening supplies at the markets.

The frozen ground meant vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and yams could not be harvested. Carrots fetched between $8 to $l5 a bag, depending on quality, parsnips were $l2 to $l5 a 10kg bag, and yams, $2 to $5 a kilogram. More fragile outdoor lines in courgettes, cucumbers and capsicums also fell victim to the harsh frosts. Supplies in these vegetables are usually supplemented from Australia at this time of the year but wet weather there has caused a shortage. market auctioneers predict there will be little relief in these lines for some time. Short cucumbers were up to $1.50 each, telegraph were $3 to $5 each, green capsicum was up to $6 a kilogram, red up to $7 a kilogram and yellow up to $8 a kilogram.

Oamaru lettuces sold for 30 cents to 60 cents each. Pumpkins are popular but, being in full supply, prices remained reasonable at $lO to $l4 a bag for butternut, and up to 20 cents a kilogram for crown.

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kumara are plentiful and selling well. Broccoli was up to $3 a kilogram, brussels sprouts up to $l.BO a kilogram, drumhead cabbages up to 50 cents each, cauliflower up to $1.20 each, and kumara was up to $22 for red and $24 for gold. Tomato prices steadied at $l4 to $l6, local, $l3 to $l6, Nelson, and $l2 to $l6, Blenheim. All of these were in 4.5 kg cartons. From Auckland, tomatoes were from $33 to $36 an Bkg carton.

Mushrooms sold to a slow market but demand is expected to pick up during the next few days. Their price remained much the same at up to $l4 a 3kg tray. Onion prices varied little with table, jumbo

and picklers costing up to $lO a bag, and red $4 a bag. Potatoes were $5.50 to $6.50 a 20kg bag, red king was $5 a 10kg bag, and desiree, $6 a 10kg bag.

Banana prices are likely to be firmer this week because the new shipment was delayed by stormy weather. Auctioneers said supplies would be back to normal by the end of the week. Their price remains at $25.30 a box.

Other imports included pineapples, from Australia, at $26 to $3O a carton. Rockmelons, which are usually plentiful from Australia at this time of the year, are being held up by the wet weather.

Californian valencias were up to $33 a carton, grapefruit was $30.90, and lemons $35.60.

With the onslaught of winter, rhubarb rose in popularity at $8 for six bundles. Kiwifruit remains cheap at 50 cents a kilogram. Avocados are still firm at up to $2.50 each, and New Zealand

citrus is still in good supply. Lemons were from 80 cents to $1.30 a kilogram, mandarins up to $2 a kilogram, and oranges were up to $1.20 a kilogram. Today’s recipes GOLDEN .NUGGET One small bright orange pumpkin a little butter freshly ground black pepper a pinch of nutmeg a little chopped onion or garlic, bacon (chopped), cheese (grated) tomato and/or mushrooms Method: Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds, add the butter, freshly ground black pepper and the pinch of nutmeg. Bake or steam until tender or microwave it until tender. Then fill with the chopped onion or garlic, bacon, cheese and tomato and/or mushrooms.

BROCCOLI WITH TUNA SAUCE 750 g fresh broccoli 25g butter 1 small onion, grated 2 tbsp flour 185 g can tuna combined liquid from tuna and milk to make 1 cup salt and pepper lemon juice i/£cuup grated cheese Paprika Method: Cook broccoli in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and place in greased, heatproof dish. Melt butter in a saucepan and fry onion gently for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in flour and blend in liquid. Return to heat and stir while bringing to boil. Add lightly flaked tuna to sauce and simmer for 2 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, and serve hot. Serves 6.