Highlights this month include the first sweetcorn, Discovery apples and juicy plums – all quality English produce and a touch early this year on account of the sizzling hot weather.
FRUIT
Discoveries are always the first apple variety to hit the market. Remember – they aren’t keepers and best eaten quick. The first waves of Victoria and the darker-coloured Opal plums are arriving. Quality will further improve as the month wears on.
Soft fruits of all kinds are also reasonable priced and look dazzling decorating a plate. Sadly, English cherries are winding down – now’s your last chance before supplies from USA take over.
Melons from Spain remain a good bet. See last month’s Seasonal Highlight for more detail on the various types.
Spanish flat peaches and nectarines, plus the standard round types are also abundant. Greengages from France available as a special order. Note that British outdoor rhubarb is now back and well-priced.
VEG
Corn on the cob is sweet and early. Courgettes, peas, broad beans, runners and French beans – all English – are a quintessential taste of summer.
Tomatoes, too, are plentiful in all their myriad colours, shapes and sizes. English salads, are also in their prime.
For your staples, expect new homegrown crops of carrots, beetroot, parsnips, swede and onions. Black /red cabbage joins Hispi, Primo, Savoy and spring. Jersey Royals are still available and the first new crop jacket potatoes are now with us.
EXTRAS
For something special, English-grown kohl rabi and Romanesco cauliflowers are worth a shout, the latter with their fantastic fractal shapes. Rainbow radishes and top quality purple spring onions from the Continent are also a feast for the eyes.
Note that the quality of Cep mushroom is not great, but Girolle, Chanterelle and Trompettes all available at time of writing.
Other possible special orders include Borlotti, Haricot Jaune, Petit Violet artichokes, celeriac and salsify.
