The brassica range on offer in the shop is outstanding this week, the display is bursting with options to choose from. There’s loose green and winter wonderland kale available from Strawberry Fields in Lincolnshire and @LyncroftFarm1 in Ormskirk. Remember you can mix and match kale varieties as you choose, bringing greater diversity and colour to your plate.
@Newfields_organic_produce are sending some sublime looking cabbages: both the Savoys and Summers are arriving incredibly fresh and green. The purple caulis and psychedelic Romanesco are proving very popular too – treat as you would a typical cauli, the Romanesco are especially good roasted. Deserving of special mention are John’s massive heads of cavolo nero too – the discerning cook will easily serve 6 from one of these, at £1.79 each they are offering terrific value for money.
With all this kale about consider using the stalks to make a quick and easy pesto. @riverford posted a great recipe for this last year, simply blanch the stalks and whizz in a processor with some olive oil and toasted nuts, a really delicious way to minimise wastage.
Talking of Riverford, they have just published the results of a survey they undertook with UK veg growers which paints a rather grim outlook for the future of growing. Of those polled, 49% fear they will go out of business in the next year. The research has prompted an open letter to the supermarkets calling for change and asking them to get fair about farming. They’re not asking for much, the demands include paying on time, buying the volumes they’ve committed to and accepting fair specifications, the bare minimum if you ask us. If you’d like to show your support, consider signing the petition linked in their profile.
