18/03/2010

Wild Garlic and Nettles

Spring is definately in the air here in the English Lakes, with Snowdrops as big as I can ever remember, crocuses and the daffodils starting to come up, another couple of weeks should see them in full bloom. And of course the Lambs starting to appear in the fields. Such a lovely time of the year - especially when the weather is good. 

We are thinkng of our Nettle Jelly which we made last year and was a huge hit - so we are appealing to anyone who lives locally, or who is coming up to the Lakes and would like to bring us any of their "new" growth nettles, young ones only please, drop them in at the shop and get a free thank you gift for each customer bringing a carrier bag in.  

We are also looking at using the abundance of Wild Garlic which grows in the woodlands and verges certainly here in the Lakes anyway. Right now in March the bright green leaves are starting to show through and within the next three to four weeks they will be ready to pick, easily identifiable by the pungent aromatic smell of garlic lingering in the air. Although the flowers are edible we are after the leaves so once again bring a bag into the shop and pick up a free thank you gift.  If you want to try the leaves at home they make a delicious salad (just remember to wash them thoroughly before eating as dogs seem to enjoy marking their territory on them !)