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An exciting new take on Live from Rungis

Fruit & Mushroom

Grapes are one of the fruits of the moment and our list reflects this with no fewer than eight varieties on offer. From tasty seedless (both red and white) through Italian full flavoured, sweet Italia to the European king of grapes - Muscat de Hambourg. Apples and pears are also beginning to dominate as the range increases. Our local grower has a range of six top quality hand packed fruit on offer and we are also sourcing from the Loire Valley. With Comice not being harvested yet the next best pear has been a William (left). Figs continue to be great and we are working mostly with producers from the Sollies region which is renown for its deep flavoured quality of fruit. Wild mushrooms are proving to be very hit and miss because of the dry weather (on the continent!). Availability seems to change almost daily with good quality cepe being the hardest to find. Summer truffles are also coming to an end so pick up a bargain on a kilo this week!

Vegetables & Salads

Soon we will be in autumn and the market is slowly turning towards that season. One of the stars of autumn are obviously Squashes as they tend to start to arrive at the end of August or beginning of September. Most of them are already available. The classic and the most common are the Muscade with a pale skin and orange flesh. Similar to the Muscade in shape, the Rouge Vif d'Etampes (deep red from Etampe) has a more shiny and red skin

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and also a deeper coloured flesh. It is a forgotten variety which is now cultivated by only a few growers. Last week we saw the very famous "Piment d'Espelette" on strings, coming from the Basques country in the South West of France. This red chilli has got the same heat as some peppers and has an almost sweet flavour. The strings are mostly used for decoration in kitchens, shops or restaurants. The Basques people even hang them on the walls of their houses.

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European Pomegranates are beginning to appear from Spain. Not bad colour on the outside and slightly pale inside. A slight break from summer/autumnal fruit could be this Ellendale easy peeler. Good sweet flavour in a good sized/large fruit. Some of you made real use of this unusual fruit last year. Mini kiwi or Kiwai can be eaten whole and are great for decoration. Spanish Osteen mangoes are full of flavour, with little fibre and will be replacing sea-freighted fruit on our list. Jack-Be-Little squash is available in different calibres from the largest, 12, to the very small 21 (pieces in a 50-30cm tray). These are the AOC sweet onions from Cevennes. Bluetastic'! Stunning blue turnips from Sarthe. True Red Label Tarbais beans that are used extensively in cassoulet. The Onion Squash are in full flow at the moment and seem to be very popular, their flavour reminds us of chestnut. The Spaghetti Squash takes its name from its flesh, which can resemble spaghetti. Mixed Patisson White Flying Saucers.