Well - Chris and Iain from Stocks didn't have their new juice from this year's harvest - because they've just been too busy harvesting to get juicing! For the same reason, Iain hadn't been able to make his usual black pudding and white puddings or smoked sausages - there were a couple of disappointed faces in the meat queue but hopefully they were cheered up by seeing all the lovely Worcesters, Coxes and Red Devils.  We've got nearly all the stalls back at the market now - Hatice who makes her borek from ingredients at the market will be back next Saturday. Johannes who runs Primo e Ultimo was back at the market selling his ice-cream and home-made pasta - despite having his van with all his equipment in stolen a couple of weeks ago from outside his flat.

Slightly more depressing news from Ripple Farm in Kent who not only come to the farmers' market every week but also supply our box scheme - this years strangely cold August has meant that the squash crop has failed to ripen.  This is a real blow for Martin as he always has a great range of squash - which last through till late January/February and provide a much needed splash of colour at the market - not to mention vital income for the farm. It's also disappointing for the rest of us as we'll miss out on roasted squash, squash soup etc. Martin says we shouldn't give up completely as its possible that some of the squash will ripen up if there's a bit of sun and warmth in September, so fingers crossed for a sunny September but we do need to prepare ourselves for an Extreme Lack of Squash.

It’s been a couple of weeks now since our last Seasonal Taster but some of us are still thinking about, and perfecting, recipes cooked up at the taster events.

The idea behind the seasonal tasters is to celebrate some of our smaller pick-up points such as Chats Palace and Dalston Eastern Curve by cooking up some delicious food straight from the box scheme for our members picking up their bags on the day.

Using fresh and seasonal ingredients from the box scheme and providing recipe sheets explaining how to make each of the dishes has been a great success and provided an opportunity to take some of the more ‘difficult’ seasonal vegetables such as swede and beetroot and highlight really affordable and creative ways of using them in the kitchen.

The Beetroot and Walnut Humous was a stand-out success, as was the Kale pesto (which we discovered through a box scheme member who picks up at Hackney City Farm – thank you again Alex!).

The staff at GC are loving the chance to experiment with all the yummy produce in the bags for these events and we plan to host more Seasonal Tasters later in the year. And rest assured that we’re updating our website as we go so you can find all those mouth-watering recipes there…

Other unusual dishes served up at the taster events have included swede and potato pasties, orange and carrot cake (a huge hit with the kids!) and celeriac minestrone. And all washed down with chocolate mint tea, made with mint grown on one of Growing Communities’ Patchwork Farm sites at the Hackney Tree Nursery.

We’re planning another seasonal taster on 6th June at Hackney City Farm, and after that we’ll be at the Castle in July to link up with their summer garden party.  So keep your eyes open for some delicious samples to taste at a pick up near you.