Te Countryside Experience • Sunday 12 August 2018 Fresh, local, seasonal


With more and more of us seeking to reduce our food miles, buying locally grown produce has never been more popular. Carolyn Boyd reveals her pick of the summer harvest


Plums In the heat of summer, there’s nothing like biting into a cool, ripe plum and having the sweet juice run down your chin as you savour the tart flesh. Supermarket varieties can lack flavour, but many people grow their own and a friendly neighbour may have a few to spare. Alternatively, try farm shops.


Plum crumble: Plums work well stewed and topped with a nutty crumble. Add vanilla for a decadent, creamy twist.


Plum compote: Stewed with a squeeze of citrus and honey, a plum compote is delicious when served at breakfast with Greek yoghurt.


Duck and plum sauce: They may be the pride of British gardens, but plums pair perfectly with duck — served with the traditional five- spice-infused sauce.


Gooseberries Tere are few summer fruits that prefer the cooler climes, but these fresh, crisp berries thrive in the British climate. Gooseberries can be found in supermarkets across the UK in July, but they arguably taste better if you pick them fresh yourself at one of the many farms across the country that let you do this.


Gooseberry fool: Once stewed down into a compote, the tartness of gooseberries is deliciously enhanced when folded into cream and custard.


Gooseberry gin: A delicious alternative to sloe gin; steep them in gin with sugar for a few weeks.


Gooseberry jam: The high concentration of pectin in gooseberries make them perfect for turning into a jelly or jam.


Marsh samphire Tis bright green plant, which can be found in estuaries and mudflats across the UK, looks like mini sprigs of asparagus. As you’d expect, given its habitat, it’s quite salty — but is delicious served with fish. In July and August, you’ll find UK-grown samphire on sale in many fishmongers, and at farm shops in Norfolk.


Steamed: Steam it for a couple of minutes, add a knob of butter and serve with fish.


Samphire sandwiches: Snip a few sprigs into egg mayonnaise and the deliciously salty samphire will turn an ordinary sandwich into a gourmet lunch.


With pasta: Steam for two minutes, then stir into pasta and salmon dishes with a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing crunch. Remember: best not to season with salt!


Countryside Produce • 33


Courgettes Although imported courgettes are available all year round, July is the month they’re in plentiful supply from our own farms and gardens. At markets and farm shops, you may be lucky enough to find a host of different varieties such as yellow soleil and the spherical rondo di nizza.


Barbecued courgette: Slice thinly lengthwise, brush with a little oil and grill on a barbecue. Finally, serve with a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of thyme.


Courgette fritters: Yellow courgettes work well when coarsely grated and integrated into batter to make fritters for a vegetarian breakfast.


Tempura flowers: If you’re lucky enough to find them being sold, or you’ve grown your own, courgette flowers are sublime when deep-fried in tempura batter.


Rediscover the romance of roses...


At So Drinks we are passionate about the countryside and conservation and all that it has to offer. We gather sloes from our farm hedgerows and do not rush the handcrafted process which results in a delicious Sloe Gin packed with flavour.


Our various gin hamper and gift box options make an ‘Pippin’


original present and the Great Taste Award winning Sloe Gin is available in four sizes so there is something for


everyone. The hampers also contain our cookbook made up of over forty food and drink recipes using sloe gin.


Please quote CEXP when ordering a catalogue or placing an order Mail Order Free Catalogue


Display Gardens www.classicroses.co.uk 01953 454707


Or why not try one of our other gins such as Blueberry, Elderflower, Pomegranate, Raspberry or Rhubarb.


info@sodrinks.co.uk www.sodrinks.co.uk


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