Monday 7 May 2012

Seasonal spring cheer

The skies may still be gloomy, but the signs of spring are all over the market.

Not knowing what you're going to come home with at the end of the market on a Sunday is one of the endlessly enjoyable things about going. Most Sundays you'll find something new and delicious to take home, whether it's something newly in season...

Wild garlic at Eden Farms



Asparagus at Ted's Veg


Rhubarb at Eden Farms


















a jar of luscious lemon curd or one of the many irresistible chutneys from Rosie's Preserves such as
this spicy tomato and pepper
...















or perhaps a weighty, warm sausage roll from Little Jack Horner's. In response to endless requests from his regulars, this week pie man James unveiled his shiny new oven and offered warm sausage rolls to queues of very happy customers.






















My bounty this week included a bagful of juicy Isle of Wight tomatoes, a chubby, free-range chicken from Pastures Farm Poultry in Northants, and seasonal bundles of rhubarb, asparagus and wild garlic.





Plus an 11am lamb burger from March House Farm, do have one if you visit, a big bunch of parsley - which makes a nice alternative to flowers when thrown in a jug - a pot of coriander from Geoffrey Daumerie and, I can't believe it, not a single crumb of cake! Here are some to whet your appetite from Miriam's Munchies, she'll be there next Sunday with plenty more delights.




Now, time to get cooking my Spring bank holiday menu, which is
  • Isle of Wight tomatoes with wild garlic and rapeseed oil
  • Roast chicken with French tarragon, wild garlic and salad leaves to mop up juices
  • Rhubarb and cardomom fool from the Riverford Farm cook book.
See recipes for more. 

No comments:

Post a Comment