This week's market report from Wild Harvest features trompette mushrooms, crosnes and clementines as well as a whole host of other fruit and vegetables currently in season which you can see below:
Wild Mushrooms & Truffles
The time is ripe to order a mix of wild mushrooms. Autumnal favourites are all in place and moderate temperatures bring fungal abundance and reasonable pricing.
Used either as a natural woodland garnish to British game, or as the star of a warming seasonal starter we are in peak season now.
- Cep- Poland, Romania & Portugal are all delivering fine specimens with keen pricing.
- Chanterelle- Grey & yellow legged from Sweden & Spain respectively
- Trompette- The gothic poster boy is back from Bulgaria, and is in excellent shape.
- Saffron Milk Cap- Much loved by the Spanish and wonderfully named lactarious deliciosus in Latin, we normally give this treat a wide berth as insects enjoy it as much as we do. This year Bulgaria is providing perfect prizes.
- Mousseron- Another star from Bulgaria. Traditionally a Spring mushroom, Bulgaria’s unique microclimate allows a double season.
- Pied de mouton- Spanish crops join the party.
- Girolles- Whilst the summer brings the finest girolles, crops are very much usable still from Russia & Scotland.
- Cauliflower fungus- Another deliciously Latin named mushroom, sparassis crispa hangs on in. Cross sections of this one will delight and intrigue the most weary diner.
- Black autumn truffles are available from Italy, but until the arrival of mature Perigord truffles at the end of the year it’s all about whites for me. Indulge yourself now, as the quality is excellent and prices are yet to be driven up by year end celebrations.
Fruits
Clementines have hit entry level. This hybrid of a hybrid can be traced back to China and the mandarin like most citrus. Ours are from Spain and will continue to improve as temperatures drop.
Enough with the sentences. Here are some fine, fruity, seasonal, bullet pointed highlights.
- Black Bursa figs from Turkey
- Fresh cranberries
- Williams pears (eyes peeled for decent comice)
- English Cox’s apples
- Foraged sloes
- Muscat grapes
- Crab apples
- Medlars
- Quince
Vegetables
Crosnes are also known as Japanese artichokes. Their crinkle cut arrival signals Christmas’ imminence to me. Particularly as my French colleague’s family often cook them in the juices of the yuletide bird. We are now importing from France.
Here are some other fun filled, dependable vegetables in great shape right now.
- Parsley & chervil roots
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Rainbow chard
- Mixed coloured kale
- Crapaudine beet
- Roscoff onions
- Smoked garlic on the string
- Black cabbage
- Cima di rapa
- Punterella
- Squash varieties galore
As usual, this is just a small selection of what we have on offer. Call in on 020 7498 5397 to speak to the team about what other treats we have in store for you today. Visit the website here.
