March is bringing us the first exciting signs of spring, with some beautiful transitional produce arriving alongside our winter stalwarts. There's a definite shift in the air, and it's reflected in what's coming through our doors at New Covent Garden Market.
British Spring Awakening
With the days getting longer, our British growers are delivering some fantastic early spring fresh produce. The slightly warmer weather is coaxing out new growth while we still benefit from the last of winter’s offerings.
Seasonal Vegetables
This month’s British vegetables showcase the perfect transition between seasons:
- Purple Sprouting Broccoli at its absolute peak – sweet, tender and full of flavour
- Baby Carrots and Chantenay Orange varieties that are wonderfully sweet
- Red Beetroot with exceptional depth of flavour
- Spring Greens that are tender and versatile
- Celeriac – still excellent for those comforting purées and soups
- Kale in Green, Purple & Variegated varieties – perfect for hearty dishes
- Banana & Round Shallots – essential kitchen foundations
Heritage British Fruit
Our fruit selection maintains high quality with stored orchard fruits and beautiful forced rhubarb:
- Bramley, Cox, Royal Gala, and Braeburn apples – each with their distinct character and culinary uses
- Conference pears maintaining good texture and sweetness
- Forced Rhubarb – that beautiful pink British treasure that we can’t seem to get enough of
Premium Potato Selection from Morghew Farm
Morghew Farm continues to supply exceptional potatoes:
- Pink Fir – distinctive nutty flavour, ideal for salads
- Ratte – the chef’s choice for velvety mash
- Yukon Gold – versatile all-rounders
- Russet Burbank – still the kings of roasting
Foraged Specialties (Pre-Order)
March brings the star of the foraging calendar – wild garlic! Our foragers are now finding these prized leaves in woodland areas. An exciting indicator that spring is truly on its way.
Our complete foraging selection includes:
- Wild Garlic Leaves – the star of the show this month
- Sea Purslane and Sea Beet – coastal treasures
- Scurvy Grass – traditional spring tonic
- Alexander’s and Alexander Buds – ancient herb with celery notes
- Three Cornered Garlic/Wild Leeks – delicate wild allium
- Douglas Fir and Scott’s Pine – aromatic evergreens
Direct from Milan
Early spring in Italy brings some exceptional produce:
Vegetables:
- Green & White Asparagus – the first of the season
- Artichoke (Tema & Mamola) – perfect for spring menus
- Monks Beard (Barba di Frate) – a true Italian delicacy
- Broad Beans – tender and sweet
- Fresh Red Tropea onions – consistently excellent relatives
Fruit:
- Bergamot – aromatic and perfect for desserts
- Cedro – fragrant citrus
- Blood Oranges – continuing their excellent season
- Golden Kiwi – sweeter than their green cousins
- Leafy Kumquats and Lemons – beautiful for display and flavour
Salad:
- Castelfranco and Grumolo – Italian winter chicories at their peak
- Winter Tomatoes (Merinda, Camone) – full of Mediterranean sunshine
- Tardivo and Treviso – stunning Italian radicchio
- Rocket Wild Bunched – peppery and full of character
European Seasonal Highlights
From elsewhere in Europe:
- Baby Globe Artichokes – tender and versatile
- Gariguette Strawberries – the first strawberries of the season
- Courgette Flowers – delicate and perfect for stuffing
- Cevennes & Roscoff Onions – French classics
- Colourful selection of speciality carrots – Purple, Yellow, White, Red & Sand
World Specialties
From further afield:
- Buddha’s Hand – the fragrant citrus that turns heads
- Pink Guava – tropical and aromatic
- Honey Glow Pineapple – exceptionally sweet
- Queen Banana – premium variety with superior flavour
- Kiwi Berries – bite-sized kiwi relatives
