What British Produce Is In Season In June?

Seasonal British produce in June is bursting with summer flavour. The wide range of vegetables is perfect for outdoor lunches and appetizers with summer drinkies in the garden.  There’s an abundance of salad ingredients with a full range of leaves including peppery rocket, crisp little gems and mild baby spinach. Tomatoes are grown across the UK from Sussex to Yorkshire. And by June you start to find yellow and golden varieties alongside plenty of reds. Although it won’t be until July that heritage tomatoes are available in the UK.  More on that next month. There’s a whole selection of Mediterranean style vegetables, including artichoke. Try grilling English globe artichoke and serving with an English coppa or bresaola salad. Read our blog for tips on where to buy the best English charcuterie.

It’s a busy time for fishing fleets and the choice of fish is great this time of year.  There’s plenty of mackerel and sardines which are so brilliant on the BBQ. If you prefer something lighter, Plaice is in good supply and often well priced. It’s great pan fried in butter served with summer vegetables.

Strawberries are at their most flavoursome and raspberries start to emerge.  If you are lucky to have an abundance of fruit try making raspberry vinegar or strawberry sorbet. They are both excellent ways to capture the taste of summer for later in the season.

June Is The Start Of Cherry Season

Cherry season is fleeting, so don’t delay as June and July are the months for this little luxury of a fruit.  Quality and taste will vary depending on the variety and to some extent the weather.  English cherries can be expensive so are best bought direct from the farm. They will be cheaper and fresher that way. Although if it’s a good season you can buy  trays in supermarkets for a relative bargain. Like strawberries, cherries can also be great in savoury dishes. Use them in summer salads in place of tomatoes, especially with peppery leaves like rocket or watercress.  Or try one of our favourite cherry chili jam recipes.  It’s great with English cheeses, but also a wonderful alternative to sweet chili sauce. You won’t look back.

It’s The Start Of Courgette Season

We’re in love with courgettes. They are cheap to buy, easy to grow and brilliantly versatile.  Which is just as well as they will be going all summer. When you are fed up with zucchini fritters (is that possible?) try savoury courgette muffins or a courgette martini.

It’s BBQ Time

Good quality chicken and pork are available all year around and are perfect for marinating and grilling on the BBQ.  Whilst our big focus at Marasby is on UK produce, there are times when adding a bit of spice is essential. This is one of those times.

What English Wines Go With June Seasonal Produce?

English Red Wine:

Pinot Noir from England can vary in style depending on the producer, vintage and region.  See our tasting notes from the 2020 vintage to find the style that’s right for you.  As we are in al fresco season this is a wonderful time to try the lighter Pinots slightly chilled. Or some of the richer reds that work well with BBQ flavours.

• BBQ meats with a richer red such Meopham Union Red or rioja inspired Winbirri red.
• Honey glazed salmon with a chilled Pinot Noir.

English White Wine:

Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc

There are an increasing number of producers making Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.  On the whole these wines have a fresh, citrus taste and are a natural pairing for June seasonal British produce.  But there are some variations, particularly in English Pinot Blanc. Read tasting notes for 15 of the most exciting white Pinots available this season.

• Sea Bass with summer vegetables on a bed of English lentils.
• Grilled chicken skewers with a cherry chili sauce.
• Airfried asparagus with a drizzle of rapeseed oil and shavings of Old Winchester.

Chardonnay

English and Welsh Chardonnay covers the whole spectrum from crisp and mineral to oaked and opulent.

• Mediterannean vegetable tart with a rich butter crust with an oaked chardonnay.
• Pan fried plaice with plenty of new season vegetables with a mineral chardonnay.

English Sparkling Wine:

• BBQ ribs with a spicy sauce works wonders with a vintage English Sparkling Wine.
• Whiting fish cakes and home made fries with English Blanc de Blancs.
• Strawberry tart with an English Sparkling Rosé.

English Rosé:

• Spinach, feta and English quinoa tartlet.
• Spring lamb cutlets with broad beans and grilled courgette.