M A R C H
Wild Garlic…
Hopefully Spring is not too far away now and some Wild Garlic will make its first appearance in the next few days. It is mainly foraged from Norfolk forests and woods.
It has a gentle, more subtle flavour than normal garlic and can be used in many different ways. Treat it like baby spinach, because 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. Also known as Bear Garlic, Ramsons and Jack-by-Hedge.
UK Grown…
From Bedlam Farms in Cambridgeshire, Purple Sprouting Broccoli is starting to come through in greater numbers.
Although still quite early, the first Jersey Royals have started. These PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) premium potatoes are always a bit on the dearer side during the first few weeks of the season. New Potatoes (Maris Peer), ‘Baby’ Mid’s and Pink Fir remain cheaper alternatives.
Also from these shores: Red, Golden and Candy Beetroot, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, Bramley Apples, Green Kale, Red Kale, Ornamental Kale, Beansprouts, Swede, Turnips, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Chantenay Carrots, Watercress, Parsnips, Agria Potatoes, Red Desiree Potatoes, Jacket Potatoes. On the fruit side, Royal Gala, Cox, Braeburn and Bramley apples, plus Conference Pears all remain in good supply currently. Some English Asparagus will start to trickle through, but more economical to buy in April once the season starts officially (more information to follow next month).
From elsewhere...
On the citrus front, these Italian Cedro Lemons are enormous - the
white pith is very thick but can also be eaten.
Sticking with citrus, Pomelo is extremely high in vitamin C and powerful antioxidant and immune system booster. These are sweet and should not be confused with grapefruit which is
bitter by comparison. Blood Oranges still remain in good supply with plenty of sweet, red segments.
From France – Samphire (right) Globe Artichokes, Yellow Chicory, Red Grelot Onions, Pissenlit Blanc, Delicata Squash, Rainbow Radish, Breakfast Radish, Gariguettes, Baby Bunched Beetroot, large leaf Spinach, Pumpkins, Swiss Chard, Romanesque & Sandy Carrots. White Asparagus has also just started, but very expensive and the Peruvian white may be a more economical option.
From Spain – Purple Cauliflowers, Orange Cauliflowers, Leafy Celery, Yellow Courgettes, Round Courgettes, Raf Bleu Tomatoes
From Italy, Blood Oranges, Tardivo, Trevise, Pink Radicchio, Castelfranco, Nettles, Courgette Flowers, Bergamot, Punterella, Cima di Rappa, Trombetta Courgettes, Rainbow Chard, Baby Artichokes, Cedro Lemons, Leafy/Unwaxed Lemons, Monk’s Beard, Round Aubergines, plus San Marzano, Datterini, Marinda Tomatoes
Red Plums are improving in flavour each week along with Figs which have been delicious – both from South Africa.
Decent Yellow Plums have also just started this week.
Wild Mushrooms – Chanterelles, Girolles, Morels (China), plus King Oyster, Shi-itake, Oyster.
Foraged from the UK – Sea Purslane, Sea Beet, Alexanders, Scurvy Grass, Scott’s Pine (pre-orders
only).