Fresh produce
Greengages from France are now in full swing and are delicious, poached in vanilla syrup. New-crop cobnuts, also from France, are now appearing but are a little green at first; the UK crop of cobnuts looks good but they are still a little way off picking. Home-grown Discovery apples are now on the market, along with opal plums. Fresh borlotti beans have been fantastic along with our own runner beans. Kohlrabi, or cabbage root, is often overlooked but is of great quality at present. It can be used raw or cooked and makes lovely fresh coleslaw. Seedless watermelons are currently at their sweetest and the prices are very reasonable.

Source:
Chefs' Connection
020 7627 4809
www.chefs-connection.com


Fish
There are limited amounts of wild cod available this week. Faroese fish is expected on the market at the start of the week but codlings will be scarce and the price will be high. There have been fewer landings of haddock - expect prices to rise as the week goes on. Expect some supplies of plaice from Denmark, and Faroese lemon sole. Good supplies of farmed Greek bass and bream are reported, but a shortage of gilthead bream is anticipated. Tuna is available from the Maldives and Sri Lanka, swordfish is due in from Chile and Brazil, marlin and shark will be available from Ecuador, and sardines are due in from France. Farmed halibut should be plentiful, while small amounts of farmed turbot are now starting to become available. Salmon is expected to take a slight rise this week, but Dover sole, skate, dogfish and mackerel are becoming more affordable.

Source:
M&J Seafoods
01296 588221
www.mjseafoods.com