Keisha Shakespeare, Staff Reporter
CHRISTMAS IS seven weeks and two days away and it's not too early to start stocking up your larders with those essentials.
When preparing for a Christmas feast, there are a few 'must do's' before the appointed day. If yours will be a home-made ham then it's time start to curing it.
For Christmas cakes or puddings your fruits should already be soaking in a combination of rum, brandy and wine. But if you have not yet done so get cracking immediately as time is of the essence.
Also, to imagine Christmas without sorrel would be unthinkable here in Jamaica, so start sourcing your sorrel at the local markets and either dry it for later or brew it now and let it get really mellow. It is important to get it right so it does not go bad before December 25; we suggest leaving sugar out till that time. Don't forget to add some rum, rice grains, and ginger and pimento berries to keep it just right for the special day.
As the Christmas approaches Food will give you tips on how to prepare for the season, recipes to try and lots more to make your Yuletide grand.
Today, with the help of Vanda Richards, consumer specialist, we have prepared a list of items and their current prices to help you get an early start. Happy Christmas Shopping.
SHOPPING LIST
1.DRINKS:
Wines and alcoholic beverages (call up distributors or wholesale)
2.SORREL:
Sorrel - $50 to $60 per pounds
3.INGREDIENTS FOR CHRISTMAS CAKES AND PUDDING
- ; Prunes- $ 335 per pound
- ; Raisins- $102 per pound
- ; Currants- $148 per pound
- ; Cherries $310 per pound
- ; Candied peel
- $145 per pound
- ; Eggs (market)- $120 per dozen and supermarket $150 to $160 per dozen
- ; Margarine/butter (Anchor Butter)- $206 per pound
- ; Flour (JF Mills Baking Flour)- $52 for 2 pounds
- ; Red Label Wine- $ 139.92 for 750 ml
- ; White rum Wray and Nephew white rum- $713 for 750ml
- ; Vanilla - $140 for 120 ml
Rose water- $140 for 480 ml
- ; Nutmeg $120-$150 per dozen
4. MEATS AND FISH
- ; Ham shoulder and neck-$200 per pound
- ; Pork legs- $315 per pound
- ; Turkey- $ 230 per pound
- ; Chicken- $ 80 to $85 per pound
- ; Bacon- $290 per pound
- ; Fish (small parrot, sprat doctor and snit)- $90 to $100 per pound
- ; Fish ( large jack and parrot)-
$ 200
- ; Goat meat-market-$150 per pound and supermarket-$180 per pound
- ; Goat head and tripe for mannish water (market)$100; supermarket $160 per pound
5. RICE AND PEAS
Gungo peas or red peas - $ 80 for 1 quart
6. SEASONING
- ; Pimento- $300 per pound
- ; Garlic- $ 20 for two head
- ; Browning (Geddes brand)- $ 47 for 142 ml
- ; Vinegar (Eve white cane) $35 for 454 ml
- ; Vanilla- $140
- ; Powdered herbs and spice
. Cloves - $47 for 33.25 grams
