Sunday 4 March 2012

Always a treat in store

The fingerless gloves made a comeback today as grey skies, heavy downpours and the COLD cast a very different mood over today’s Parson’s Green farmers’ market compared to the bright sunshine last week. Brollies, soggy dogs and dripping gazebos were the sights for those who ventured out today.

But was it worth it? Of course. Here’s why. The first lettuces made their appearance at Eden Farms …














 









… as did rhubarb at Ted’s Veg



..and gorgeous herbs for planting from Geoffrie Daumerie’s much-loved plot in Kent.












Chervil is very nice in salads, adding a bright, aniseed flavour and also sprinkled on soups. Purslane has a mild salty taste and its small, juicy leaves are also good in salads, and with seafood, apparently.





















Fennel, pink garlic, broad beans, French tarragon and plenty more pots were on display.

Other delights included oysters (can’t beat one for breakfast), scallops, whelks, squid and hake from the Handpicked Shellfish Company in Weymouth














and, for lovers of cheaper cuts for slow cooking, this exciting array from one of Janet Mutter's tasty wild boars at Animal Farm in Bellingdon, Bucks. On the table is pork belly, hand, cheeks, tail, trotters and, on the right, two big ears. The pics were actually taken last week though when Janet's boars are slaughtered she makes use of the whole animal, so you can expect to find these cuts every Sunday.














Her burger’s are also a big attraction on Sunday mornings.


Under the orange glow of Celestial Cakes' golden gazebo on the other side of the market were plenty more temptations. Butternut squash and orange cakes, carrot cakes with a cream cheese topping, pistachio friands topped with lemon icing and chocolate and beetroot brownies were among this week's sweet treats. Needless to say, they swiftly sold out.












And to further lift the mood, a few blooms, as seen at Ted's Veg.


Finally, a few picture highlights from last week too to show you what you missed.
Do pay a visit next Sunday, we'll be there from 10-2, as ever.

Lardy-Da's pork pies encased in flavoured jelly,

Isle of Wight tomatoes,


                                    
          a most excellent Victoria sponge with fig jam at Aston's bakery,


plus their very good bread, and Chegworth Valley's crispy apples and juicy, juicy pears.  

  

And finally finally, one of my favourite regulars, always happy to be fussed over, though haven't found out his name yet. Next time! Though he does quite suit Old Spot.















1 comment:

  1. Really enjoyed this and will try the chervil I have never heard of it before - looks great.

    ReplyDelete