The first Brussels sprouts have arrived this week, fresh from the fields of Newfields Farm in Yorkshire and Lyncroft Farm in Ormskirk. With a distinctive, bitter taste they’re best lightly cooked and paired with something sweet or acidic such as balsamic vinegar. They’re a welcome addition to our autumnal brassica display and we’re offering them loose or on the stalk (they keep fresher for longer this way). Also look out for sprout tops, the head of the sprout stalk that can be used like cabbage, and they’re great value too.
It’s a great time to enjoy the wonderful mix of colourful UK squash varieties we have in stock, and of course we’ll have an abundance of different sized edible and carving pumpkins for all you kids and adults alike. The first parsnips have arrived from Lancashire and we’ll have Yorkshire ‘snips in for the weekend – magnificent roasted and perfect for a soup.
With the addition of all this wintry veg it’s time to say goodbye to the last of some leafy UK crops this week. We’ve had an amazing run of true spinach from Glebelands in Sale, but it’s coming to an end so grab a bag while you can. Libby Flintoff’s spinach beet will continue for a little longer but with reduced availability. To fill the gap there will be plenty of Swiss and Rainbow chard from Strawberry Fields in Lincolnshire.
We will be looking to our French suppliers for leafy lines and herbs in the coming weeks, a seasonal move which will become increasingly vital as the days get darker here in the UK. Highlights on the fruit side are the deliciously autumnal persimmons, custard apples and pomegranates, so go on treat yourself J
