To Borough Market–as Sam Pepys might say–Saturday morning in search of the perfect tomato.
They grow them on the Isle of Wight–there’s a micro climate there.
I plan to make Ma’s Gazpacho for the London launch of the cookbook–can’t have too many launches!
The Saturday farmers’ market in Southwark by the Thames, in the shadow of the Cathedral’s tower–
used to be great. Growers and producers arriving from all over to sell their stuff to enthusiastic foodies. A meeting place of like minds with complementary needs.
No more–sadly.
There are still a few stalls selling produce from out of town but it is now firmly on the tourist trail–nicely situated between the Tower of London and the South Bank. More a fun fair of food–and nothing wrong with that–with stall after stall selling healthy fast food–
to eat mainly on the hoof–while checking out what else is on offer.
Quest stalled and this cook fast realising how spoiled he is by the French markets he’s accustomed to–boo-hoo…
Back to Waterloo (where we are staying) to think again–in search of inspiration now.
I suddenly remember a Sunday market in Islington and google it–of course.
There it is–still going– but “moved to Chapel Market–every Sunday 8am to 2pm.”
Sometimes you want to kiss the Internet!
Whoopee and off we go this morning.
“Freshly picked Isle of Wight Tomatoes” says the sign! Quest over.
And sold by the grower, a delightful fresh-faced young man from…Poland! (Not famed, as far as I know, for its tomato crop).
He knew his tomatoes though–they’re tasty.
Delighted, relieved, ladened down (5 Kilos)–I go to two more stalls and find the remaining ingredients.
Search over–now to make it.
Robin Ellis 
I haven’t been to Angel market in years, it sounds like it’s going up in the world. Pleased you managed to get your tomatoes tho!
In the last photo, were the brown item in the front possibly fresh cob nuts?
They were, Priscilla–well spotted.
aka Hazel nuts.
It’s a shame about Borough…totally different now. Marylebone is my Farmer’s Market of choice, every Sunday. Isle of Wight are there too…as they are on the market where I have my own stall (only once a month) in Bucks. They make a fantastic yellow tomato juice…sweet & deep & utterly delicious. Glad you found ingredients, phew! Have a great week…
See you “in the market” one day, Rachel
Oh my. ’tisn’t even breakfast time (4am) and I am craving gazpacho again! Our tomatoes are ripening by the bucketful (Big Boys, Celebrities & some paste variety), onions drying in the shed, red potatoes down cellar, one more crop of sweet corn to come, carrots for munching raw yesterday, another spinach crop up – DH is trying a variety to overwinter, which will be a miracle in our part of Vermont where it can get to -20F. The ancient apple trees are heavily laden this year, organic because nobody has touched them (except the deer) in decades. Applesauce for the freezer in my near future, if I can find room amid the 40lbs of blueberries & raspberries. It has been a good year indeed.
Sounds wonderful over there in deep Vermont.
Don’t feel bad about the markets, Robin…I live in a STILL somewhat agricultural area in New England, and there’s only one Sunday morning farmer’s market in all the towns around me! Of course, you might find corn or cukes for sale at the end of the odd driveway or so; a little can nearby for the money (on your honor), but other than that, not that much available except the grocery store!
We’ve given up on growing a few rows of corn years ago…the raccoons and deer always seemed to know JUST when they were ready to pick! Now we stick to flowers & cherry tomatoes–no one seems to want to touch those!
Have a good day,
Cheers & hugs!
Thanks for so interesting and beautiful photos!!!
Wonderful slice of life from your part of the world…thanks for sharing. Your cooking adventures are educational as well as delicious!
Do I spy Kent cob nuts in the last photo? It’s nice to return sometimes, although I too was disappointed recently in Borough. As far as tomatoes are concerned, Poland may not be famed for them, but the tomatoes are, when left to nature (as opposed to commerce) fabulous! Despite its apparently unpromising climate, Poland also produces great garlic (my mother-in-law’s speciality), green and yellow beans, sunflowers (you can buy whole sunflower heads to graze on!), kohl rhabi (full of vitamins), soft fruit (incomparable strawberries here in the north) and a variety of grains, now unfortunately declining as a result of their apparent lack of commercial value. Why the overlap with your southern European produce? I’m not sure. Perhaps the rapid “catching up” in May and June plus the acid soils? Most of your recipes are therefore suprisingly easy to adapt to Polish conditions. The great pity is the decline in organically grown vegetables 😦
good thanks
Thanks for sharing your experiencies. I like to see the pictures and the different foods you share with us.
I love the photos too!,they actually look so good,you could almost eat them!,im thinking third one down here!
Im assuming its meredith that is the lenslady!,may i ask what camera you use?,you certainly have a talent for capturing the very edible!…
Im going to try making Ma’s Gazpacho this weekend!,wish me luck!,offcourse the quality will depend on what tomatoes i can source from my local market!…
regards maurice
ps another good market for fresh fruit in london can be found at dalston junction.
Thanks for the tip, Maurice–good luck with the soup!
P.S. The camera is a Canon G12 and it is indeed mainly Meredith doing the photography.