The 'In Season' Blog

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What to Eat Now?

Its that time of year – Christmas has passed us by, waistlines have expanded a few inches and hours are spent furiously working away the Christmas excesses under the fluorescent lights of the gym. The mornings are dark, the weather cold and biting, and apparently all we can eat seasonally are parsnips!

Parsnips do come into their own at this time of year, as the winter frost sweetens their flavour. However, there is more about than just parsnips…

At this time of year, strawed carrots are still being lifted; protected by a ‘duvet’ of straw. This year, purple sprouting broccoli has been thriving due to the mild weather. Our local crop doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all and will just get better as Spring hits. Curly Kale, January King Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage, Swede, Leeks….there is certainly still plenty to play with!

Personally, I love the ‘leanness’ of this time of year as it makes me more inventive and creative in how I use vegetables. For example: onions – often overlooked and merely treated as the stalwart base of dishes; always the bridesmaid but never the bride! However, if an onion is treated well, it can produce amazing dishes such as onion soup or an onion tart with the main ingredient costing the best part of 18p!

So do not despair. Look at this time of year as a challenge. Embrace our UK produce. By all means enjoy the imported treats around this time of year such as Blood Oranges but let’s not be downbeat on what we have to offer from our own National Larder!