Written by Tom Moggach
October 12, 2018

Brassicas are back - here modelled by swirly Romanesco with a side helping of pink garlic from Lautrec.

Other cold weather brassicas include British-grown kales (more info here), cabbages, caulis, purple sprouting and the first Brussel sprouts and their tops (see our Chef's Guide here).

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Savoy

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Purple Sprouting

Squashes are also plentiful - see our latest Chef's Guide to Winter Squashes, inspired by a visit to top organic grower Holm Select. Halloween pumpkins are also flooding in.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Pattisons Strie

This is prime time for English apples and pears, with a wide range of varieties now available including Cox, russets and Comice. (Did you know Apple Day is celebrated around 21st October?)

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Walker

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Apples

Wild mushrooms are on good form - check out this whopper of a porcini over at The Mushroom Man.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Porcini

Chestnuts are in, along with wet walnuts and cobnuts. Cranberries have also started.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Chestnuts

European citrus is building momentum, with the first bergamot, lemons and leafy clems.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Clementines

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Lemon

For other fruit, note that it's end of the road for stone fruit such as peaches. But still a fine time for grapes - from standard table grapes to choice varieties such as Muscat, Strawberry and Chasselas.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Strawberry Grape

Quince have just started - still a touch green.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Quince

Kaki fruit (a.k.a. persimmon or sharon fruit) are a smart buy.

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Kaki

For something even more unusual, give kiwi berries a go - they are a fun, snacky fruit and several British growers have invested heavily on their potential (more info here).

Fruit And Vegetable Market Report October 2018 Kiwi Berries

Back on the British veg, you'll still find runner beans and courgettes. Beetroots, onions, carrots (incl. Chantenay) and parsnips (incl. Piccolo) are all new season. Nutbourne are still sending their ace glasshouse tomatoes, which you'll find at wholesaler Bruce White.