Evening star., 1943-03-11
Report to the Housewife
Most Women Looking Forward to Meat Ratonins;
Feel 1t VIII Solve NanN Of Present Problems

b. now YOU have learned that
point rstioning isn't anywhere near
ss complicated as it first appeared
In fact. Washington women have
taken to the new system with little
or no to-do. and merchants report
consistent cooperation and intell-
gent handling of the purchasing
procedure on the part of housewives
Gil over town.
Many women tell US that they
are actually looking forward to the
rationing of meats. because they
hope that when that is definite the
present problems OF distribution
which result in hit-and miss meat
supplies will be eliminated. Meats
as all of lis know, have been going
from had TO worse here in Wash
ington lately: some stores seem to
have a good number of various cuts,
whereas others display nearly bare
shelves Also. in great many in
stances. If and when meats are OBJ
tainable, they have proved to be Of
very poor quality. and decidedly not
worth the price paid for them.
Complaints along this particular
line have been more and more fre-
ouent in recent weeks-the chief
troubles seemingly are that the
meats have been "bloodleSS "ap-
parentlv frozen" mot Jept well.
and "of a queer and Crumbly ten
ture." There have also been re
ports Of scattered cases Of illness
following the eating Of some meats.
but these ere isolated instances and
no conclusions can really be drawn
from them.
The best suggestion We can give
to housewives. until the meat situa-
tion. is put on better basis. Is to
buy as Sparingly as possible, keep p
}1awk-eye out for quality, and be
sure that the meat Is fresh. and has
been kept under proper conditions,
Some markets this week end will
have a few cuts of beef and veal,
Others will feature the "delicstessen
meats spareribS. neck bones, pork
puddings, etc. If YOU hunt around
YOU may find few stores selling
nice lamb chopS-but they have
been few and far between of late
Bacon has been easier to get recent
ly and, Of course. there is always
the old standby-chicken I m afraid
lot of us are gong TO hate looking
q chicken in the face. if this keeps
on! Cheer up-it won't be so very
many more weeks before the first
spring ducklings start arriving to
vary the monotonv!
With Lent upon lis in other wears
we have turned to fish as part of
the penetential ritual In 1943 how
ever, we've been turning to fish for
other reasons for quite some timei
It's lucky for Washington residents
that we have such a steady and good
supply of seafoo6 for as q meat
substitute it is just about tops, and
with the variety found in local
markets, We can do any number of
quick change acts with our menus.
Shad are coming in better and bet
ter: mackerel and haddock and trout
and scrod are all available. The
little pan fish are plentiful and not
expensive. with emphasis on smelts
rs a real delicacy at budget price
Shrlmps, oysters. scallops and CLAIMS
are good buys, although lobster and
crab meat have been none too good
and very expensive.
The produce picture has not
changed much from last week. The
first asparagus did come in. as we
predicted, and is selling both by the
bunch and by the pound. dts
cheaper by the pound. we discov-
eredD The stalks are large and
green and tender and 1t has been
a welcome arrival. even though
later than usual this year. Mush-
rooms are plentiful and SO are
greens OF several kinds, Iceberg let
tuce, raoishes. celery. carrots, tur-
nlps, baby beets, new potatoes.
sweet potatoes and green peppers.
Tomatoes are still high and not too
good in quality.
Good values are found in citrus
fruits and IN apples. There is still
some rhubarb to be had and q good
mary more bananas are to be seen
around these days than has been
the case for several months.
Here and There: In addition
to the Russian and Chinese Cook
Books We mentioned last week, there
is wonderful little volume of Greek
recipes to be found along with the
others at the United War Relief
Center, 1918 Connecticut avenue.
This Is especially valuable just now,
because Greek cooking has always
been economical, has made much