Reviving old favourites
Old vegetable varieties are returning to the halls of New Covent Garden Market. White sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is an under-planted early variety with a sweet and prolific crop of white spears, and tender stalks and leaves which can be treated like early asparagus. Ramsom, or wild garlic (Allium ursinum), might be familiar from spring walks in the woods - the entire plant is edible, from stem to narrow, tapering leaves, flower heads and bulb. Both are available through www.farm-direct.com, or from the Desiree fruit and veg stand at Selfridges, or delivered free to your door through www.yourlarder.co.uk. Get 10% off by quoting ‘Jellied Eels’.
Vegetables as you’ve never tasted them
Beetroot and chilli brownies, and parsnip and caraway cupcakes, are just two of the more unusual goodies from the Vegetable Cake Coop, a new producer at Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market. All cakes are made with organic, seasonal veg from growers at London’s only weekly organic farmers’ market, or from Growing Communities’ box scheme. Saturdays 10am-2.30pm, St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington High Street, N16 www.growingcommunities.org
Waste not want not
When Rochelle Schwartz and husband Peter Newton spotted windfall apples going to waste in a neighbours’ garden, London Glider Cider was born. Last autumn they collected eight tonnes of unwanted apples and pears and now have 5,000 litres of what is - according to the Campaign for Real Ale - the only cider made on a commercial basis in the capital from London apples and pears. They have already supplied one CAMRA festival, have orders from the Duke of Cambridge, the Southampton Arms and Hackney Downs Studios, and are looking for new outlets, including farmers’ markets, festivals and pubs. thelondonglider@gmail.com
