| PRODUCT
ALERT: Pepper
prices went from high to absurdly high last week after
we went to press. There are signs that things may
be about to settle down but it will be a while before
they are back to normal levels. Meanwhile, our buyer,
Alex will keep searching for the best pallet deals
in an effort to save you from the brunt of the price-hikes.
English Swedes are up in price because supplies
are running down prior to the end of the season. They
will continue to go up and will soon become woody.
Spanish should be here by the end of the month. The
situation is similar with regard to Parsnips.
Icebergs and Courgettes are up. Papayas
are short.
This Week: New
crop Duncan Cabbage is pointed and Hispe-like,
with glossy green outer leaves and a deliciously sweet,
but mildly mustardy golden heart. Perfect for shredding
into coleslaw, steaming of cutting into wedges and
braising. Home produced Spring Greens are beginning
to grow fast in the milder weather, making them superbly
sweet and tender.
English Asparagus
supplies remain erratic and the price is very
high. But don’t fret, we’re expecting plenty of nutty,
tender and fresh Italian Medium Asparagus at
a very good price. Look out for an emailed Special
Offer on Tuesday.
Bramley Apples
are increasing in price as supplies dwindle at the
end of the season. Lucky, then, that English Outdoor
Rhubarb is becoming more plentiful and cheaper.
The stems are thicker than the forced variety and
green in the middle as opposed to white. They also
pack more of a punch, tastewise. Wonderful in crumbles,
fools and other desserts, or used to make chutney
or even sauce for Pork, Duck or oily fish.
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Fancy
some fresh herbs on your windowsill? Our Mixed
Potted Perennial Herbs are back. The 6 varieties
in each case of 12 include Lavandula, Silver
Thyme, Purple Sage, and Sage. Sweet-hearted
English Cos Lettuce has just started. As usual
the new heads are smaller than the Italian crop they
replace, but they are of excellent quality. A good
alternative to Icebergs with much more taste.
New season Apricots
are beginning to trickle in from Spain. The first
arrivals, as always, are firm, pale and too sharp
to eat raw. But try them halved and poached in a little
syrup. They become delicious and full flavoured, especially
if you leave their stones in so they can impart their
almondy richness.
Moroccan Peaches
and Nectarines are more plentiful this week.
They are also a little larger, more handsome and tastier.
If you didn’t try Nisperos while they were
Fruit of the Week last week. Don’t worry, they
will be around for a few more weeks yet. Delicious
raw, or in the Nispero Chutney recipe on the
back page.
The Local List
Incorporate these
in-season, non-air-freighted products into
your menu and help to cut environmentally damaging
Food Miles, reduce the size of your (and your
diners') Carbon Footprint, and Save Money.
Many are especially grown for 4°C by farmers
we know!
| PRODUCT |
Miles |
Price |
| Rhubarb
(Essex) |
<80 |
£ |
| Spring
Greens (Beds) |
<55 |
££ |
| Swede
(Somerset) |
<170 |
£ |
| Roquette
(Essex) |
<75 |
££ |
| Flat
Mush (E14) |
<10 |
£ |
| Cab’ge
Shoots (Kent) |
<60 |
££ |
| B.
Red Chard (Herts) |
<30 |
££ |
| Beetroot
(Beds) |
<50 |
£ |
| Asparagus
(Href) |
<140 |
£££ |
| Wiljas
(Kent) |
<60 |
££ |
| Spring
Onion (Worcs) |
<130 |
£ |
| Spinach
(Lancs) |
<230 |
££ |
| Royal
Pots (Jersey) |
<200 |
£££ |
| Watercress
(Hants) |
<75 |
££ |
| Parsnips
(Norfolk) |
<65 |
£ |
Distances are
given as miles from the farm gate to London Bridge
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