Eating seasonally means eating food that is at its peak in terms of flavour and nutritional content, while at the same time cutting down on those food miles.
Each month, Local Food and Drink brings you a guide to what's in season. The emphasis is on fresh and locally produced food and drink.
Easter is soon upon us – Good Friday on the 22nd April, Easter Sunday 24th April and Easter Monday falls on the 25th this year so why not take a trip to your local farm shop and stock up on locally sourced goodies to enjoy over Easter weekend.
Spring lamb
Spring lamb is traditionally served with the Easter roast. The taste is milder than summer or autumn lamb and it is deliciously tender. The first herbs are appearing now - allowing us to add some fresher flavours to our food. Look out for wild garlic, chives, sorrel and rocket. Click here for a Roast spring lamb with rosé wine & oranges recipe.
Asparagus
Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. The amino acid asparagine gets its name from asparagus, the asparagus plant being rich in this compound. To try making Asparagus with lemon butter and anchovies click here.
Jersey Royals
Jersey Royal potatoes are, without doubt, one of the most prized ingredients of the spring and early summer, thanks to their fantastic flavour and tenderness. As the name suggests, they’re grown only on the island of Jersey, where they’ve been given protected status, like Champagne or Stilton, and 99 per cent of them are exported to the UK. Try using these delicious potatoes with another in season item – click here to learn how to make Grilled Sea Bass and Jersey Royals.
If you need to keep your kids entertained over the Easter holidays then why not let them have a go at making their own Easter eggs. Click here to see how. Well we couldn't write about Easter without mentioning eggs somehow!
Other treats in season this April: cockles, crab, lettuce, Morel mushrooms, rosemary, spinach – Enjoy natures April bounty!
That’s all from us for April – be sure to check back in May for our new ‘In Season..’ updates.
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