April 1st, 2007
Note: This is the third part of an ongoing series of posts highlighting seasonal food, which should hopefully help you in finding fresh produce. Although I’m from the UK, I hope the tips apply to elsewhere, too.
April’s a great month, more then not. Sure, there’s the odd day where it seems like winter again, but there’s a damn site more where you feel like it’s almost summer - only without the stifling humidity to go with it.
Because of all the sun, all manner of veggies and herbs are now in full flow. Easter is here with all the traditionalities, Spring Lambs are on their way, and England has St. Georges day to look forward to. It’s a wonderful time to be a foodie!
Vegetables: April is a great month for fresh young and leafy vegetables such as rocket, sorrel (wild and cultivated), and spring onions. Radishes are just coming into season, purple sprouting broccoli is still with us for a while, and delicious jersey royal potatoes are on their way.
A trip out to your herb garden (you have got a herb garden haven’t you?) will show you that almost everything is growing great, too. In mine that’s rocket, rosemary, parsley, parsnip leaves, mint / chocolate mint, sage, parsley…
Fruits: Rhubarb (actually a vegetable) is still great throughout April - so you should get hold of some before it disappears.
Meat and Fish: Of course traditionally Lamb is very traditional at this time of year - despite the fact that the term “Spring Lamb” refers to when they are born - not when they are ready for eating. Cockles are also in season right now, and you might find some sea trout and salmon, too.
In light of an exceptionally warm winter, you might even be lucky and find some of May’s seasonal food arriving early. Enjoy it!
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April 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
When Raymond Blanc started his herb garden at Le Manoir, some people apparently thought he was a bit bonkers. I’ve got a pot of basil growing in the kitchen and other herbs growing outside the conservatory and I couldn’t imagine not having my own herb garden when I become a professional chef.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:54 pm
i’ve been searching my herb garden every day! Other than the mint, parsley and chives It doesn’t look as if anything survived the constant rain of winter. So sad! It was so gorgeous last fall!
That’s gardening!
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 am
First Isle of Wight asparagus popped up at Borough Market last week. I treated myself this weekend. Delicicous!
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
Trig: Freshness is always key, as these professional chefs keep telling us. I’m not much of a gardener but can always stretch to a few herbs.
Katie: A couple of mine died - but I think that’s due to a lack of care from myself. I tend to forget about things.
Ben: I’ll be onto the Asparagus in May when our local varieties show up. Lucky you to get a sneak preview!
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Thanks for the info! I always like to know more about seasonal food
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:23 am
tigerfish: Me too. I need to learn more about wild food though - that’s so exciting!
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:26 am
[...] guide to the seasons - and many bloggers post evocative and tempting views on seasonal food - realepicurean, Cherry’s English [...]
April 10th, 2007 at 9:41 am
I’m so envious, you got all the goodies that I don’t get here in So California I wanna trade something for the cockles..wait, and the spring lamb ? It’s that like steer lamb, much more tender then the ones tt come of age ?
April 10th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
MeltingWok: Well, Spring lamb is a kind of misunderstood tradition. Because they’re naturally born in Spring, people expect lambs at that time. It can be provided by birthing lambs early (anything from a couple of month on accelerated growth to 6 months) and simply selling them in Spring. To be fair, it doesn’t taste much different - but I love lamb anyway!
April 11th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Don’t forget crab! The Jersey Royals have been in my local greengrocer for a couple of weeks now but are way too expensive (at £5.50 a kilo) right now. I’m waiting a few weeks yet… I always like my first Jerseys alongside my first asparagus in May.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Richard Leader: My super-radar tells me that crab has just finished it’s season - but I’m happy to learn if I’m wrong? If you can still get it and it’s fresh, indulge while you can! Jersey Royals alongside asparagus sounds great for a fresh spring meal.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:27 am
[...] more, see Real Epicurean’s series on seasonal eating, or the BBC. [...]