SPROUTS        SPROUTS        SPROUTS!

Brussels Sprouts are extremely healthy and just a normal portion will include half your RDA of folic acid and bundles of vitamin C. As well as standard UK grown leafy sprouts [bottom-left] , there is also Sprout Trees/Stalks [right] normal, tasty Brussels Tops [below-centre] and Kalettes,® [below-right]) which seem certain to grow in popularity yet again this Winter. These are basically a cross between sprouts and kale and are highly nutritious. They can be steamed, sauteed or grilled. There is also Purple Brussels [far bottom-right] to add some different colour. They will still be here well into the New Year.

Whether large Parsnips from Suffolk or the smaller ‘Piccolo’ Parsnips [right] from Nottingham, both have a unique flavour and taste even better now we have had a few frosts. 

Below is a quick mini update on some seasonal items and some new arrivals: -

LEAFY CLEMENTINES – Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without leafy clementines, which are juicy and full of flavour.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES – French and good quality

CARROTS – lots of choices from normal to bunches, baby mixed colours Chantenay, baby orange carrots and baby rainbow.

CABBAGES – Savoy is top quality and good value, red/white plus the Hispee (pointed/Sweetheart) also very good. January King just started also.

POTATOES – Maris Piper, Maris Peer (Mids), Red Desiree, Cyprus, Chipper Choice or King Edwards

CHESTNUTS –  both fresh and vac-packed available. For fresh (non-peeled) chestnuts, the French and Spanish fresh are certainly better.

DATES – Jordanian Medjool very good.

CRANBERRIES – fresh punnets (Belarus)

WILD MUSHROOMS – no issues reported so far with Girolles or Chanterelles.

BABY VEG – carrots, turnips, leeks, fennel and red/yellow/candy beetroots

CHERRIES – good quality just started from Chile

LYCHEES – from South Africa

Large White GLOBE GRAPE is excellent quality

PEACHES, NECTARINES & APRICOTS – all South African are OK, but slightly smaller than the European ones

FIGS – the Brazilian green ones are OK but nothing special and the Peruvian Black Figs are better quality and flavour.

MANGOES – the beautiful Alphonse ones have come to a grinding halt and we are awaiting news on the next shipment (unlikely before Christmas). There are also airfreight ‘Rosa’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Hayden’ varieties from Peru/Brazil which are good quality

PLUMS – in very short supply currently and likely to be expensive until the NEw Year.

All Berries are fine in terms of avaialbility so far, Kumquats, unwaxed Leafy Lemons, Large Pomegranates, UK Apples and Conference Pears still very good, Golden Kiwifruit, Rhubarb remains Dutch for a few weeks until the UK starts. The cold weather may see this arrive in December with some luck.

Blood Oranges – Italian just started.

Rambutan – from Thailand very good. Huge Custard Apples from Lebanon also just started.

PS  We’ve moved!

After many, many years of wonderful memories, we have moved premises. Just 200 yards away, we are still located within New Covent Garden Market, but in better, bigger and more modern offices and warehouses.

We’re looking to welcome visitors any time, but more likely in the New Year now, we hope.

Our new address is: -

 B59-64 New Covent Garden Market, London SW8 5HH