Evening star., 1945-04-26
Report to the Housewife

The first carloads of corn-both
yellow and white-arrived from
Texas and Florida this week. and
dealers expect reasonable supplies
for the week end. That is good news
for the corn-on-the-cob devotees,
and will aid in stretching menus
that otherwise might be bit on the
skinny side. Excellent asparagus
from New Jersey Is expected, al
though the recent cold snap has
slowed down crops in that area to
some extent. Peas and snap beans
are recommended, and there is plenty
OF squash. white, yellow and zuc-
chlnl. The white new potatoes from
Florida are recommended, and
celery, while high in price, is of top
quality. Good broccoli from Arizona
has been received; there are good
lettuce, romaine, and some water
cress to be found. Parsley, which was
scarce for time due to the dry
weather, is back again, and green
peppers are also more plentiful than
they have been. Tomatoes are good,
though expensive; the greens include
spinach, kale, rape salad, poke salad,
GOudTUS anu CuTIllp JOpS.
Strawberries seem to be problem
some marketmen say that the crop
from the Carolinas has about come
to an end, due to erratic weather
conditions; others hail the arrival
OF berries from the Norfolk area,
and still others murmur about
freeze on the Eastern Shore cur
failing the Maryland strawberries
Probably it will be a case of seeing
them in some stores, and not in
others-as is the case in so many
other food items these days. Pine
apples are excellent, and more rea-
sonable; We are approaching the
transition period between Florida
and California citrus fruit, with
some Scarcities and higher prices
noted in consequence. Apples con-
tinue drug on the market, rhubarb
comes from the nearby areas and is
very good, and there seem to be good
supplies of bananas on hand at the
moment.
The fish lineup is extremely
comforting when one looks at the
meat picture-Which just isn't. Bos-
ton mackerel, shad-the roes more
plentiful than the buck this week
butterfish. porgies, croakers, fine
trout, rockflSh, and fresh founders
are recommended. Goldfish and fl
leted fish from Boston are good buys,
but all fish from the South is very
limited, due to storms and other
factors. There is practically no
shrimp, but crab meat-the regular
kinds less expensive than it has
been, and very plentiful. CLANS, OF
course, are adequate and good. |
Smelts are about over, and there is
a dearth of the larger fish, such as
fresh salmon, halibut and sWordfish,
as much of it is being taken by the
Army. and the ceiling prices set on
most of it make it Impractical for
retail purposes.
Despite the fact that eggs are due
for seasonal upsWing, some grades
are on the scarce side in many
Washington markets. However, if
you are not too fussy about which
grade you get you can undoubtedly
find enough eggs for your needs
Butter continues bit on the short
side, and margarine, cooking oils
and shortcomings are none too plen-
tiful.
Cottage and cream cheeses will be
available, but other cheeses, includ-
ing the fancy" perishable types,
such as Camembert and Okla, are
very hard to find. Cheddar, of course.
Is one of the rarest. And to think we
used to scornfully designate it as
rat cheese!"
Meats-and chickens-oh, let's call
the whole thing off!
x x *
Here and There: The idea that
the water should be boiling before
vegetables are put in it to cook has t
been given added support by recent
research at the Alabama and Michi-
gan Experiment Stations. 1t was
found that the shorter cooking by
means of the boiling water start
saved great percentage of vitamin |
c originally present in the vege-
tables tested-as against decided |
loss in those brought to a boil after |
d cold-Water start. Fer small
Victory garden crops canning few
jars day is the only practicable
method of putting up the surplus.
In this manner the vegetables are
picked at their best, and lose little
or no time between garden and proc
essing. Also, it's easier to can a