Page 50 • The HERALD • 12th March 2026 v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 2ND APRIL v FOOD FOR THOUGHT SPRING IS IN THE AIR AT LONGDOWN FARM SHOP from Wayne, Rich and Lisa at Longdown Farm Shop Spring has made a very welcome return and with it comes a time of plenty with all manner of locally produced crops making their way to the Farm Shop shelves. One such crop is nature’s superfood, watercress, and ours is provided from the watercress capital, Alresford. Packed with minerals, vitamins, and iron, this superfood is perfect for adding a nutritious boost to sandwiches, salads, soups, or simply snacking on its own. It’s a true delight from the heart of Hampshire’s countryside. Another local hero is the strawberry from New Forest Fruits, and we’re excited to announce that we should have the rst delivery of strawberry punnets just in time for Easter. A Farm Shop favourite, New Forest Fruit strawberries are grown in the picturesque Beaulieu area of the New Forest, so just up the road, meaning you get the pick of the crop from the sweet and juicy early varieties – such a treat at this time of year. Another eagerly awaited seasonal highlight is the annual arrival of the Jersey Royal potatoes from the Channel Islands. With over 130 years of history, these potatoes are harvested, graded, packed, and shipped within 24 hours to ensure they reach you at their freshest and nest. Simply boil them with a knob of butter and a sprig of mint for a truly delicious side dish. As we look ahead to April, Cornish new potatoes should be available towards the end of the month, weather permitting. And talking of seasonal favourites, possibly the most anticipated of all, asparagus is on the horizon. Although May is officially the month for asparagus, the rst of the early crop is usually available mid-April, weather permitting, so hopefully we’ll have some in the shop sourced from the Isle of Wight and Beaulieu, and later, as the main crop gets underway, from our friends at Portswood Farm in Norfolk. We are excited to announce a new supplier - Wiltshire-based Premier Fish who will be bringing a great selection of freshly frozen sh to the Farm Shop. Founded in 1995, Premier Fish began life as a local retailer and has subsequently grown to become a trusted supplier of a wide range of sh and seafood to the retail and hospitality sector across the south. Should you nd yourself in Salisbury, you’ll nd their beautiful retail shop in the historic Fish Row. Easter will soon be here, so don’t forget to order your Easter meats in advance to avoid disappointment. We always sell plenty of lamb and turkey joints during this time, so just let us know what you need, and we’ll set it aside for you to collect at your convenience. Wishing you all a wonderful Easter and looking forward to seeing you soon! Watercress from Alresford Delicious Fibrous And Nutrient Dense Recipes With Watercress Grown In Hampshire from The Watercress Company Over the last few years, protein has been top dog, but now there’s a new ‘must have’ ingredient on the block and it’s something we’re all familiar with – bre! Fibre-rich foods have their own health credentials including reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, but interest in bre is being driven by something more: the continued consumer fascination with gut health and the remarkable impact of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. While protein intake at each meal is important when taking GLP1-RA drugs, ensuring your plate is nutrient rich with varied sources of bre is also important, especially for its impact on your gut health. O cially an adult should eat 30g of bre a day but very few of us are meeting that bre target. To help change this, e Watercress Company, with farms in Hampshire, are sharing a range of bre-rich dishes to help, and the key ingredient is, of course, watercress. Watercress is a source of bre but is also the most nutrient dense vegetable available according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. In their score card of nutrient density, watercress scores an impressive perfect 100. Worldwide it is being cited as the healthiest veg you can eat. By combining watercress with a ra of other ingredients that are truly brous (wholegrains, vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes) you can boost your bre intake and make sure your meals are nutrient dense too. Just what the doctor ordered! Slow Cooker Chunky Chilli with Sweet Potatoes Sweet Potatoes in their skins are rich in fibre as are kidney beans and watercress, but combined with protein rich beef, you have a deliciously nutritious dish. Serves 2 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: Hours – unattended! Ingredients • 250g Diced Beef or Beef Strips • 2 tins chopped Tomatoes • 2tbsp BBQ Sauce • 1tbsp Oregano • 1tsp Paprika • 1 Onion, chopped • 1 tin Kidney Beans • 1tsp Chilli Flakes • 80g Watercress • 2 Sweet Potatoes • Olive Oil • Salt & Pepper Method 1. In a small frying pan, brown the beef and onions quickly. Add them to the slow cooker along with the tomatoes, BBQ sauce, kidney beans and spices. Leave on a low heat all day while you get on with other things. 2. In the evening, heat the oven to 200°c and rub the potatoes in a little oil with salt and pepper. Bake them for around 45mins, until they are cooked through (this can be done in the microwave in about 10 minutes, but you don’t get the crispy skins!) 3. Before serving, add the watercress to the chilli and stir through. Serve the chilli over the baked potatoes. You can top this chilli with your favourites, we love sour cream and chives, but you could also add some avocado for extra nutrients! For more inspiring recipes, visit: www.watercress.co.uk Slow cooker chunky chilli with sweet potatoes e Waterside Food Project, part of the New Forest Aquaponics CIC family of projects, host a FREE Community Cook Up every Thursday 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Black eld Baptist Church on Hampton Lane. Surplus food from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste is collected by volunteers and used to cook tasty meals. Go along for some tasty food and great company, everyone is welcome. e Waterside Food Project aims to reduce food waste across the Waterside and also runs Lucie’s Place in Black eld and the Community Fridge in Hythe Library. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/Watersidefoodproject Free Community Cook Ups
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