Annoint Your Jersey Royals!
Blog Entry: Wednesday 01 Apr 2009
‘This weekend’s arrival in the shops of the early Jersey Royals, hand-picked from the steep seaside slopes of the Channel Islands, marks the real arrival of spring,’ writes Davison. ‘The delicate flavour of a real Jersey Royal cannot be beaten, or replicated – quite literally, as the variety is the only British fresh product which has the protection of ‘‘designation of origin’’, just as wine has.
‘Tiny Jerseys – and the first few days’ harvest is often marble-sized – should be treated with respect,’ Davison warns. ‘Never peel Jerseys; not just because much of their high vitamin C content is captured in their delicate papery skins, but also because much of the flavour lingers there too. Wash the kidney-shaped potatoes, then steam or boil until just done (about 15 minutes), then drain carefully, anoint gently with good butter and a few flakes of sea salt. And there you have the true taste of home-grown British produce: a wonderful, earthy savour that captures all of the promise of spring.’
‘The traditional Jersey Royals are truly seasonal and we can buy them only for the next few weeks, so enjoy their short, but delicious, existence.’
Read Bernice Davison’s ‘Jersey Royal potatoes: Pick of the crop’ in full at the Telegraph online.
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