I have always enjoyed Ed Baines recipes but couldn't believe it yesterday when I saw him cooking with Zampone! This is an Italian dish that is ONLY served during the Xmas season. I would think it almost impossible to find it at any other time of the year (unless it is old stock). So to state that it can be found in supermarkets is misleading. In Italy it is also accompanied by lentils (not just in his restaurant as he mentioned), and eaten on New Years Eve! Please stick to seasonal dishes! Otherwise love the show!!!

why ? We are not in Italy.

And nor is Sonia from what I remember, aren't you in Germany now Bubbi?

If we stuck to seasonal foods in the uk there would be no pizza, pasta and curries on the menu.

Yes I'm in Hamburg! But cooking Zampone (which is a very heavy dish) in April is like baking mince-pies in July!! or drinking mulled wine on the beach!! Just not done. I challenge anyone to go find a zampone in an English supermarket (even Italian deli's). Pizza's, pasta and curries are not seasonal hence the ingredients can be found all year round!!
I was just making the point that he was cooking something that was very difficult to find at this time of year.

Hi Sonia, well - curiosity got the better of me and I phoned a local Italian deli (Newcastle Upon Tyne) and they have zampone in at the moment and they stock it just about all year round.

Oh and cotechino too.

Yep terrydox did the same with my suppliers. My point was the ingrdients used to make pasta dishes and pizza toppings and stuff in curries are not grown here due to the climate. therefore not our seasonal foods but another countries. As for not eating heavy dishes, the weather today is very chilly we will have a frost tonight and im cooking toad in the hole for supper. Yum

Agree totally about the weather Relishmama, just been outside and it is not nice out there. So something nice and hearty would be a good idea for tonight methinks. Morrisons have just started stocking the toulouse suasages so might try those with puy lentils ala Mike Robinson.

Hi all - new girl here - signed up yesterday and really enjoy reading what you've all go to say. Some people can be really picky though can't they? I personally think you should eat what you want, when you want it and enjoy! By the way, the weather down in the south west has been boiling for days and doesn't plan to change.

Forgot to add - one of the things I think is great about this site is how helpful everyone is.

I may have some bad news for you Lil'Abby, according to the bbc weather for the south west it is going to change later today. Minimmum of 4 C tonight. Sorry to bring bad news :devilish:

Terrydox you wind up merchant. Ummm your sausage and lentils sounds delish meant to order some puy lentils in this weeks shop, never mind will do next time. Do you get yours in the tin or dried. And Lil abby lovely to have you on board and agree entirely with your sentiment. Im fair nithered as they say up here and its raining. we always get a frost up here in the north east just before the spring bank holiday just in time to kill of all young life including garden plants. same every year.

Hey TerryDox - I know you're having me on. Still it's been bad for a while down here so we're making the most of it while it lasts. Shame about the plants though relishmama. I love my garden.

Still brill sunshine here at the moment..........

Always buy the dried puy, I have never bought the tinned. That is cos I am mean and it is cheaper doing it that way.

Just to make you feel a little better Lil'Abby we will be at least 2 C colder than you up here. Do you live near the coast or more inland?

oh well thought i may as well butt in !!! its sunny here in verwood, then clouds over, but warm all the same. forcast for next week i have heard is a mini heatwave!!! so get the sun cream out!!! as for the seasonal foods, seasonal veg yep but seasonal dishes, if we only ever eat turkey xmas day etc life would be boring there is so much choice out there now that you can get most things from whatever part of the world you r in these days to cook whatever takes your fancy regardless of season... kimi.xx

Hi Snoozy I was going by this:

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But I tell you something, relishmama is spot on about the plants being killed off just before this next bank hol. So how about sending some of that lovely sunny stuff up here, to us poor shivering northerners?

Yep still brill sunshine here............... them thar pesky lil clouds must be goin in a diferent direction........

well now I really am hoping that just for once the forcast is accurate - Hmmmph, and yes I am naturally this blue colour.

yeh rub it in, i'm looking forward to good weather Chris my OH is opening the golf course he has been building for the last year next weekend and weve got a wedding to go to. You know what cant find a smart pullover or jacket for a 2yr old boy. So it better be warm or Ben is going to look smart but cold. Bless him.

and terry i always thought you were a warm pink!!!. shall try send some sun your way but i am a little selfish want to leave me some!!! x

Well I don't know about pink but certainly going redder - lol.

and i didnt think you were shy terry??? lol

Sorry it took so long TerryDox, I live in Plymouth and we have definitely been promised lovely blue skies for the weekend. Do you all want to come down here for few days?!!! Hee Hee. We'll soon have our fair share of the bad weather though I'm sure.

Well Lil'Abby - I hope now that the beeb got the forcast wrong and can I take back my comment.

Have you tried out the Tanner bros restaurant yet?

I am so shy snoozy that blush when I see myself in the mirror.