We have the first Tenderstem broccoli in this week from the North Maldon Growers Cooperative in Essex - this is a lovely product, trimmed, slim stems, neat purple heads - quite different from the more old fashioned (bushy) variety of sprouting broccoli from Roy & Rita at Wild Fields.
The tenderstem, with its delicate spears is a bit more suited to making tempura with, as it sits flatter in the oil.
But as a predominantly winter crop, these two varieties really are (for my money) joint winners of the "best in brassica" class and are nature's way of helping us through these winter months.
We also have the first baby leaf spinach in from Walmestone Growers, and whilst Martin at Ripple Farm has a gap in his organic spinach, we are able to get bio-dynamic spinach in from Perry Court.
And, last but not least, we have the first little gem lettuce in too.