Andy’s Market report - 27th July 2010
Summer seems to be with us at last, and we are now seeing plenty of white and yellow peaches and nectarines coming in from France, particularly from the wonderful Château de Nages growers co-op. Florence is also sending us in some lovely apricots as well.
Cherries are also here in abundance although will disappear as quickly as they arrived when the English season comes to an end shortly. Get them while you can is the message here.
English gooseberries are at the best at the moment, and there is plenty of nice rhubarb coming in to make your summer desserts.
Charentais Melons are also back in after the short break we had caused by the recent flooding in southern France.
New season fresh almonds are now in. They’re a bit fiddly to crack open but are nice in summer veg dishes and salads.
Beautiful Kent cauliflowers are coming in from Bean’s farm in Deal, as well as superb courgettes and peas. Dan Lloyd up in Worcestershire is supplying us with some lovely beans – broad and runner – and lovely marrows. English broccoli is also at its best at the moment.
Good news on the garlic front as we have all varieties of Isle of Wight garlic back in including the colossal Elephant bulbs and the wonderfully aromatic smoked garlic.
We don’t normally sell them at this time of year but well worth a mention are some fantastic Girolles mushrooms coming in from Romania!
Salads are still coming from English growers and are now in peak season, with lettuces from Bett’s in West Malling, tomatoes from Ironside’s in Folkestone and the beautiful Heritage tomatoes coming from Gary Griffith’s Nutbourne Nursery in Pulborough. Baby leaves from England are also on the market, and Wild Roquette is coming in from Gregg and Vernon at Secretts Farm in Milford.