What's in season?
Did you know?
Welcome in the vibrant new flavours of summer, from plump tomatoes to sweet, tangy cherries and crunchy courgettes.
Fresh Vegetables
Vine tomatoes
Anyone who has grown their own tomatoes will know how good they taste when picked straight from the vine. The Temptation variety from Kent, grown especially for its taste, is harvested on the vine to maintain the freshness and flavour for longer. The French were convinced of tomatoes’ aphrodisiac properties and called them ‘pommes d’amour’ (they are still sometimes referred to as ‘love apples’). The average Briton eats 16lb (7.25kg) of tomatoes a year, whether in soups, salads, pasta sauces – or ketchup! And it must be doing us some good – tomatoes are a superfood, rich in antioxidant lycopene, which may maintain a healthy immune system.
Cherries
There are around 1,000 acres of cherry orchards in the UK and these are mainly found in Kent and Hertfordshire. Introduced to Britain in the 1st century AD, ripe, red cherries seem to signify the arrival of the British summer. There are around 1,000 varieties worldwide, including the popular Brooks, Bing and Sweetheart types. Cherries form a wickedly tempting partnership with dark chocolate and they’re also the basis of the German liqueur Kirsch. They’re essential in a British summer pudding or a classic French clafoutis. Cherries can even be used in savoury dishes, bringing out flavour in robust meat casseroles. They’re rich in antioxidants, such as melatonin, which could help you sleep better, and anthocyanins, which could help maintain a healthy heart. Choose darker-skinned varieties for greater health benefits.
Courgettes
Courgettes (also known as zucchini) are part of the squash family. They have a delicate flavour and tender texture that can easily become mushy if boiled. Try slicing courgettes lengthways and marinating in olive oil, garlic and lemon juice before char-grilling or barbecuing to make a classic antipasto.
Meat & Fish
Sardines
Sardines are in fact baby pilchards and can grow up to 15cm in length. Larger Cornish sardines are, for all intents and purposes, pilchards. They are an oily fish that contain omega-3 fats, thought to boost your brain and heart health. Named after the island of Sardinia, where they were once in abundance, fresh sardines are an ideal barbecue food. Grill them lightly and serve with tomato or citrus sauces, to complement their rich, oily flesh.