Market Report - UK seasonal update 15 December 2014

This week's market report from Wild Harvest features two types of truffles, white and perigord and Passe Crassane pears as well as a whole host of other fruit and vegetables currently in season which you can see below:

Wild Mushrooms & Truffles

Relatively mild conditions in Europe have prolonged the wild mushroom season this year. Prices are therefore still keen on trompette, chanterelle (grey & yellow) and pied de mouton. The king of the marbled interior has hit town in the form of the mighty Perigord truffle. Our suppliers are telling us the black autumn truffle season is over, but nature has a habit of throwing up some unexpected bargains when the main flush has finished. We are also selling the Italian black winter truffle. We are still enjoying a remarkably stable and good value white truffle season. This normally runs out of steam (almost politely) just after New Years Eve, but with abundance and mild weather so far this season who knows.

Fruits

The French favourite late cropping Passe Crassane pear has hit the market. With it’s full shape, balanced acidity and gentle aniseed notes for once I’m not going to argue with French taste. Here’s a short list of some other fruits worthy of the table during late December in the UK:

• Cranberries
• Chestnuts
• English & French Apples
• French & Italian pears
• Clementines
• Quince
• Kaki
• A range of exotics including affordable lychees and custard apples

Vegetables

With few additions on the vegetable front, I’m taking a moment to share a recipe from my colleague’s family Christmas spread in France. Blanch crosnes aka Japanese artichokes to start the cooking process, then complete the job in the cooking juices of your goose just prior to serving. An aspect of our vegetable range in good shape is listed below:

• Adult and baby parsnips
• Crosnes, parsley and chervil roots
• Ironbar pumpkins
• Hokkaido, spaghetti, potimarron & acorn squash
• Genuine AOC protected Roscoff onions
• The mighty choux de Bruxelles
• Italian puntarella and cima di rapa
• A fine spread of specialist carrots, beets and radishes

Game

The first bird in, is the first bird out of season in our green and pleasant island. We say “see you on the glorious 12th^” to grouse. Supply of other furred and feathered wild beasts remains strong running into the New Year, with a noticeable switch from partridge to pheasant demand this year. Have a look at the previous market report here to see what other Christmas favourites are on offer. 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.