There is an incredible range of UK veg available this week, and much of it from our nearest and dearest growers. We simply love this time of year, where quality and freshness speak for themselves.
The first broad beans are here from Ward and Thompson on The Fylde and they are spectacular: superbly sweet even when eaten raw, these more than deserve the bother of a double podding. Pair with their young courgettes for greens that sing of summer.
Lyncroft Farm have added several lines to their range including cauliflowers, aubergines and bunches of baby leeks. These tender, smaller leeks are a real pleasure to cook with and look beautiful grilled lengthways on a griddle pan. Duncan’s aubergines are a source of great pride to the veg team too: they’re grown in a greenhouse that we funded from our Growers Fund, ensuring a consistent supply of north west ratatouille veg over the summer months.
Glebelands Organic Produce have picked their first coriander and spring onion bunches of the year and continue to deliver a beautiful range of unusual lettuces: pick from red Seurat, frisée-type Expertise or green Admir and Cocard, a fresher lettuce you’ll struggle to find.
Ahead of some sunny weather and warmer temperatures we’ve stocked up on mini watermelons: although still early in the season, taste tests indicate a great year for these: lots of sweetness and flavour with a pleasing, crisp texture. Stone fruits are also entering their peak; we’ve the first few French varieties of apricots to choose from as well as flat peaches, cherries and nectarines.
