Hello there my friend!

I hope you had a great Shavuot (if you celebrate) and all your food was delicious! We enjoyed some seasonal treats in the shape of local asparagus, Jersey Royal potatoes, fennel, sweet and fragrant berries, and lots of lovely aromatic herbs that seem to be really abundant at the moment.

We love to enjoy fresh local produce when it's at the peak of its season. The flavour really cannot be compared to year-round, often-imported fruit and veg. I've even heard it likened to eating Michelin starred food instead of a microwave ready meal!

So this week's newsletter is all about what delights are in season in June. This month really heralds the start of Summer and all the wonderful fruit and veg that go with it. Even in my garden plot, I already have a couple of nearly-red strawberries and almost-ready-to-pull radishes! Farm shops, farmers markets, and local outlets are all great places to find fresh, locally-grown, scrumptious produce.

What's in season in June

This month, look out for:

• Cherries 🍒
• Berries including blueberries 🫐, gooseberries and strawberries 🍓
• Greengages 🍈
• Other stone fruit including apricots and peaches 🍑
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Aubergine 🍆
• Beetroot
• Broad beans, runner beans and French beans
• Broccoli 🥦
• Carrots 🥕
• Courgettes 🥒
• Fennel
• Jersey Royal new potatoes (and new potatoes in general) 🥔
• Lettuce, salad leaves, watercress and rocket 🥬
• Mangetout and other peas 🫛
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Spring onions
• Tomatoes 🍅
• Herbs such as basil, chives, coriander (cilantro), dill, oregano, mint, nasturtium, parsley, rosemary, sage, sorrel, tarragon and thyme 🌿

Recipes to make in June

Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy June's delicious produce. Simple recipes that highlight the gorgeous flavours of fresh fruit and veg are the order of the day!

• ​Artichoke and spinach pesto pasta​
  A simple vegan pesto with bright and vibrant spinach, almonds, and marinated artichokes. Delicious on pasta for a quick supper.
• ​Griddled summer veg - asparagus, fennel, courgette & more​
  Olive oil, a hot griddle pan, and a squeeze of lemon - a simple way to enjoy incredibly delicious Summer veggies!
• ​Beetroot carpaccio with feta and mint​
  Thinly sliced and marinated raw beets are paired with salty feta and fragrant mint for a wonderful make-ahead starter or salad.
• ​Carrot and tomato soup with ginger and orange​
  Made with carrots and fresh tomatoes, this smooth and delicious soup is a soothing bowlful that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
• ​Strawberry cucumber spinach salad​
  Sweet, tangy, salty, crunchy, tender and crisp - this salad has it all! A delicious dish that tastes like Summer in a bowl 🥗
• ​Summer pea and bean salad with radishes & dill​
  A wonderful summer salad, combining peas, beans, fresh crunchy radishes, and fragrant dill in a zingy dressing.
• ​Vegan gooseberry jelly with elderflower and gin
  ​A refreshing grown-up dessert featuring tart poached gooseberries in a floral and fragrant soft vegan jelly.
• ​Blueberry (or cherry) slices​
  An updated classic - these yummy slices feature a layer of berries between a cakey bottom and a crackly, cinnamon-infused topping.

Shabbat Shalom

I have a busy weekend this weekend, with a 30-year reunion, a dancing event, and a birthday party to go to! I'm tired already! Fingers crossed the sun shines and everything goes exactly to plan.

Whatever you're doing, I hope you have a great time! Here's wishing you Shabbat Shalom - a Good Shabbos - that brings relaxation, peace, happiness, joy, health and blessings to us all.

With love, Helen x.

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