Wild thing ...

With any luck, the constant rain throughout all of January & February is coming to an end and perhaps signs of Spring are appearing. Wild Garlic has just started from the woodlands of Norfolk & Hampshire

Also known as Ramsons, Bear Garlic and Jack-by Hedge, it has a gentle, more subtle flavour than normal garlic and can be used in many different ways. The leaves are quite delicate and should be treated in a similar way to baby spinach, as it wilts down quite quickly and requires very little work.

It should be around for a few weeks, until its white flowers become more prominent. Although the white flowers are edible, the leaves are best eaten before the plant flowers, as they become a little bitter.

The persistent rain for over 8 weeks at the beginning of the year will almost certainly have a knock-on effect later in the year simply because of flooded fields and difficulty planting. Over the past 2-3 weeks this has created an obstacle with basics such as carrots and cauliflowers, because machinery was unable to access the land.

 Hopefully matters and the weather are improving, fingers crossed…

Jersey Royals Ware (large) and Mids (smaller) have just started to come through in small quantities, which always means the price is high in the early part of the season.

Purple Broccoli from Norfolk & Cambs is stunning in appearance and flavour.

Although expected to finish soon, Yorkshire ‘Forced’ Rhubarb is still bright pink and delicious.

‘Mairac’ Apples and Conference Pears still going strong from Ringden Farm in Kent. Gala and Braeburn apples are also UK grown currently.

Also, UK grown: Red Kale, Green Kale, Ornamental Kale, Carrots, Parsnips, Chantenay Carrots, Cauliflowers, Savoy Cabbage, Cavolonero, Swede, Turnips, Bramley Apples, Red Beetroot, Candy Beetroot, Golden Beetroot, Banana Shallots, Round Shallots, Beansprouts, New Potatoes, Jackets, Agria, Pink Fir, Desiree Potatoes, Micro-herbs.

Some English Asparagus will start to trickle through late March, but more economical to buy in April once the season starts officially (more information to follow next month).

From elsewhere, Satsumas (easy-peelers) are Nadorcotts and full of sweet juice.

Grapes are exceptional quality from South Africa currently, with the not so catchy named white variety -  ‘Arrafifteen’ along with the better named ‘Sweet Celebration’ red.

Yellow Plums are good quality, along with the very good ‘Black Diamond’ Red ones, which are red fleshed.

Although no issues currently, all melons are expected to be a little more difficult as the origin switches from Brazil to Costa Rica. Lychees have finished for now until  the Thai/Brazilian become available in a few weeks’ time.

Other exotics including, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Mangoes, Dragonfruit, Physallis, Guava, Passionfruit, Papaya, Grenadilla, Pineapples and Nashi Pears remain in good supply.

Berries remain in good supply despite the set-backs with Spanish/Moroccan delays last month, including Strawberries (Spain/Morocco), Blackberries & Raspberries (Portugal), Blueberries (Peru) alongside French Gariguettes.

Golden Kiwifruit from Italy are almost becoming as popular as their green cousins

From Italy: Blood Oranges, the beautiful White Aubergines (below), Pink Radicchio, Purple Tropea (Grelot) Onions, Delica Squash, Mixed Colour Romero Peppers, Baby Artichokes & Romanesque, Leafy Celery, Cime di Rappa, Fennel, Puntarella (below),  Jerusalem Artichokes.

From France:   White Asparagus (££), Orange/Purple Cauliflowers, Pink Garlic, Roscoff Onions, Baby Bunched Turnips, Baby Bunched Carrots, Purple/Yellow Carrots, Breakfast Radish, Gariguettes, Kohl Rabbi, dark Raf Bleu Tomatoes (below).

From Spain: Strawberries, Satsumas, Finger Limes, Tiger Lemons, Padron Peppers, Graffiti Aubergines, Baby Peppers, Globe Artichokes, Broccoli, Courgettes, Broad Beans.

Wild Mushrooms – all currently in good supply: Morels, Girolles, Chanterelles, Pied de Mouton, King Oyster, Shiitake, Oyster, Yellow Oyster, Maitake.