food & drink
seasons eat the
Keeping you in the know as to what is coming into season each month is NEIL MORTIMER from Lovejoys Wholesale...
H
opefully, with all fingers crossed, this month is going to go to plan and the easing of lockdown restrictions will continue to be rolled out. As I write, all cafés, hotels and restaurants that are fortunate enough to have outside space will be able to open again. Many have gone to great expense, varying from specially made pods, to sheds, glasshouses, gazebos and shepherds huts, right down to just a basic roof over a courtyard area to keep the rain off. Do try and support them when you are able to go out again, especially ones local to you. It is all about supporting local business, which in turn supports the local economy and keeps people in jobs. We have all learnt over the last year how important it is to look out for each other in the local area. We are all willing now I think to get our coats on and get outside to meet family and friends for a coffee and brunch, lunch or an afternoon cake and a cuppa. From April we have Ross on Wye asparagus available and we hope to have three months of supplying one
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of our chefs’ favourite ingredients. Last year the poor asparagus growers had their season cut brutally short by you know what! Look out for it in your farm and village shops and garden centres. If you ask they will tell you where it is from. We may also have a call for wild garlic this year. Remember if you go out do forage responsibly and check whose land you are on to make sure you are not trespassing. There are many recipes available for using it in your cooking/soups online. You can use young nettle leaves for soup (add onion, carrot, leek and potatoes). They are very high in nutrients, vitamins and minerals and have been a natural remedy in many cultures for thousands of yours. They help to detoxify the body, regulate hormones, act as an anti-inflammatory and help with circulation and allergies. Maybe we should all be drinking nettle tea!
“We have all learnt over the last year how important it is to look out for each other in the local area.”
If you can also try to make the most of better weather to be on your allotments or in your garden preparing the ground and doing odd jobs. This year I have decided to keep it simple; I am only going to grow what is easy, quick, and that we enjoy eating. The main point of the allotment for me is to spend healthy time outdoors and to see the grandchildren enjoying their part in it, even though they always want to harvest everything as ‘baby veg’ rather than wait another a couple of weeks! As always any veggie questions you would like to ask please email me on neil@lovejoyswholesale.com. I do appreciate your emails and promise to answer them all. Neil neil@lovejoyswholesale.com @lovejoysuk @lovejoysuk • lovejoyswholesale.com
