I also dream of a ripe peach! I remember when young hopping off the bus on my way to work there was a small greengrocer on my way and every year I couldn’t wait to see that box of ripe Italian peaches. One bite of the peach flesh and the juice would dribble down my chin! That is so rare these days.
My partner used to live in Nine Elms and we had many a midnight trip (fruit market is open 12-4am) to New Covent Garden Market. We'd come home with boxes of fruit and make jam the whole weekend and that would be everyone's presents for the year. We don't live in London anymore but I've been down to the fruit wholesale seller in Southampton who supply all the cruise ships and bought some great stuff. My other tips are to bring cash although that have changed and there's often one person you talk to and they write you an invoice and you have to bring that to another person to pay.
This is such a fun read! I went on my own quest for a dreamy peach, and paired it with the sabayon for a delightful summer dessert this evening. Such a great recipe - thank you!!
I so hear you Nicole. Even though I live in Rome where peaches in season are plentiful, I am always on the hunt for a good peach or nectarine. This has not been a good year for peaches. It's been brutally hot in Italy and most fruit has suffered. I don't even get close to peaches in the supermarket, but one vendor at our neighborhood farmer market has "second choice" (meaning too ripe) small peaches. They are just like you describe: juicy, with just that little give and soft skin. They only last a day, but they are all worth it. Thank you for the perfect zabaione recipe, I never had it with mascarpone and I will definitely try it!
Cool story. I just came back from the Upper Peninsula (Michigan/Ontario). I couldn’t find a single peach dessert on a menu! Came home and bought a single peach and it was tasteless. So disappointing. Your peach dessert looked yummy. Spring was also my favorite restaurant the last time we were in London. 🍑
I also dream of a ripe peach! I remember when young hopping off the bus on my way to work there was a small greengrocer on my way and every year I couldn’t wait to see that box of ripe Italian peaches. One bite of the peach flesh and the juice would dribble down my chin! That is so rare these days.
This was a great read thank you.
My partner used to live in Nine Elms and we had many a midnight trip (fruit market is open 12-4am) to New Covent Garden Market. We'd come home with boxes of fruit and make jam the whole weekend and that would be everyone's presents for the year. We don't live in London anymore but I've been down to the fruit wholesale seller in Southampton who supply all the cruise ships and bought some great stuff. My other tips are to bring cash although that have changed and there's often one person you talk to and they write you an invoice and you have to bring that to another person to pay.
This is such a fun read! I went on my own quest for a dreamy peach, and paired it with the sabayon for a delightful summer dessert this evening. Such a great recipe - thank you!!
My best friend in primary school owned a stone fruit orchard. Almost 40 years on, I've never had a peach or nectarine as good.
I so hear you Nicole. Even though I live in Rome where peaches in season are plentiful, I am always on the hunt for a good peach or nectarine. This has not been a good year for peaches. It's been brutally hot in Italy and most fruit has suffered. I don't even get close to peaches in the supermarket, but one vendor at our neighborhood farmer market has "second choice" (meaning too ripe) small peaches. They are just like you describe: juicy, with just that little give and soft skin. They only last a day, but they are all worth it. Thank you for the perfect zabaione recipe, I never had it with mascarpone and I will definitely try it!
Really enjoyed this piece🍑
Cool story. I just came back from the Upper Peninsula (Michigan/Ontario). I couldn’t find a single peach dessert on a menu! Came home and bought a single peach and it was tasteless. So disappointing. Your peach dessert looked yummy. Spring was also my favorite restaurant the last time we were in London. 🍑