Halloween was difficult for many to promote this time last year, but from what we are hearing, many restaurants and establishments are going to more than make up for it this year!  

Sammy, left, says “I may have been a bit bone idle for the past year, but we have some fang-tastic pumpkins in stock now”.

As standard, there will be 2 sizes – Large and XXL (both below, sizes approximate), subject to demand.

These ‘Harvest Moon’ variety pumpkins from Cambridgeshire are perfect for carving, but so there is zero waste, the flesh can be used for soups and the seeds can be roasted too.

Although National Apple Day falls on the 21st, we always try to use the whole week at the very least to celebrate this traditional British fruit. English Apples are usually available from September through to Spring next year.  All of the apples are grown in Kent, so only travelling 40-50 miles to Central London. 

There should be many familiar varieties, including Cox, Gala, Braeburn & Russet, plus many lesser known varieties , which will change throughout the season. Current varieties include, Spartan, Elstar, Kidd’s Orange, Charles Ross  - all with often subtle differences in flavour, texture or appearance.  If you require any specific information on varieties, please let us know.

Alongside the apples are some extremely tasty UK Pears – also Kent-grown and both the Conference Comice varieties are available and when eaten ripe are truly delicious.

Although many items such as lettuces are imported at this time of year, there is still plenty of UK grown produce, which will be unaffected by any potential port delays, including, Broccoli, Green Kale, Purple Kale, Ornamental Kale, Bramley Apples, Comice & Conference Pears, Parsnips, Piccolo Parsnips, Carrots, Chantenay Carrots, Leeks, Swede, Celeriac, Turnips, Jacket Potatoes, Maris Piper, King Edward, Chippers Choice Potatoes, Red Desiree Potatoes, Rooster Red Potatoes, Raspberries, Celery, Marrows, New Potatoes, Savoy Cabbage, Hispee Cabbage, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Heritage Beetroot, Purple Broccoli, Sprout Tops, Celeriac, Onions, Spinach, Rainbow Chard, Cavolonero, Peashoots, Watercress, Edible Flowers & Microherbs. ​​

October is often the point where there is a change in seasons and switch of origins for a lot of produce used in the UK.

On the fruit side, Leafy Clementines should start to come through over the next couple of weeks. Black Figs from Turkey remain excellent quality. Red Plums are mainly from Italy. Most berries are now imported with Blueberries and Blackberries from South America. Raspberries will remain UK grown for a short time, before imported and Strawberries are now imported from Holland. Kiwifruit remains expensive as coming in from New Zealand, rather than the Mediterranean.

Grapes are good quality and coming from Italy mostly. Alternatively, and topically, these “Witch’s Fingers” Grapes are delicious, albeit more expensive. Pomegranates from Spain currently and Kaki (persimmon)/Sharonfruit, again from Spain. 

Courgettes, Aubergines, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Peppers will all start to come in from Spain, along with the majority of salad leaves.

As the temperature starts to cool, in addition to plenty of hearty British root veg, Sweet Potatoes are good quality and value. For ‘warmer’ dishes, then these Scotch Bonnets (left) will certainly add a kick.

Plenty of great produce from Italy, including Trevise, Tardivo, Cimi di Rapa, Borlotti Beans plus Sicilian  Round Aubergines and Baby Artichokes (all below). 

Sadly, the English Heritage Tomatoes will come to an end very soon, so these equally stunning Mixed Heirloom Tomatoes from France are available. Other tomatoes around include these striking Zebra, Pineapple & Raf/Miami Blue.

Large Leafy Celeriac is popular at this time and these Rainbow Radish always add a nice dash of colour.