Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

ALAS I must tell of the end of the cherry season. I hope you all ate your fill?

However, they are replaced by the new season blackberries and plums, whilst strawberries are still in abundance. This year I have made a point of eating a lot of soft fruits and I can feel the benefits both physically and mentally; they’re so good for you!

Talking of good for you, the new season sweetcorn available at Styan’s Family Produce is always going to deliver on the health front; packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins, phytochemicals and fibre. And let’s not forget; they are delicious boiled, barbecued, steamed or raw straight off the cob.

Keeping to the healthy and tasty theme, this week’s Manager’s Choice is the four different varieties of squashes on the Paget’s Produce stall. Acorn Squash are dark green/orange, have a ribbed rind and a moist yellow or orange interior that is loaded with fiber. When halved for roasting, acorn squash can be used as a natural bowl for fillings, such as apples, currants, and chestnuts.

Spaghetti Squash is an oval yellow squash containing a surprise: a stringy flesh that, when cooked, separates into mild-tasting (low carb), spaghetti-like strands. Onion Squash are like butternut but have softer flesh and Gem Squash are small and green with orange flesh and are a staple of South Africa.

Come and try out these wonderful vegetables at the Swindon Designer Outlet farmers’ market this Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG.
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU.
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street SN13 0HB.
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross 
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street.
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross.
  •  Swindon Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •  Havelock Square Farmers’ Market, Swindon, every Thursday, 9am to 2.30pm.
  •  Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT