Written by Tom Moggach
February 05, 2020
Pretty in pink - it's prime time for forced rhubarb.
This month, Yorkshire forced rhubarb is the ultimate homegrown ingredient. See our Chef's Guide.
The other big story is citrus from the sunny Continent. Blood oranges vary in terms of colour - always test before you buy. Below are Moro from Sicily; Sanguinelli from Spain also available.
Other lines include late-variety clementines, blood mandarins, leafy lemons and oranges (Newhall variety is hot to trot), bergamot, cedro and rarer lines such as finger limes.
First sightings of morels - cultivated rather than wild at this time of year (Chinese growers have nailed the technique).
Other 'shrooms on offer include chanterelles from USA and this unusual number - the maitake.
Back to British - there's all the brassicas including January King and purple sprouting.
Sprouts and tops still on hand. Kale are a good call. Here's some lovely, crisp Savoy.
As I nipped along Buyer's Walk, I couldn't resist a shot of a fridge at The French Garden.
This winter has seen a surge of interest in more unusual roots such as oca, salsify and nasturtium root. This is white Jerusalem artichoke, grown locally and sold by S Thorogood.
And crosnes, a.k.a. Chinese artichokes.
For a taste of spring, there are the first broad beans and peas from Spain and Italy.
From the Continent, there's the first of the asparagus - white, green and red. Also, in time for Valentine's, some fancy strawberries such as Gariguettes.
It's a great time for artichokes and radicchio - all varieties, such as the grumolo below. Have you read the Chef's Guide to Radicchio from last month?
And this is Cime di Rapa - a speciality from Puglia in Italy.
Finally, a glimpse of the flash and micro herbs for sale at London Herb Company, a new trader at the Market.
See you next month - and in the meantime feel free to get in touch with any queries.
British Seasonal Calendar
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