Food
Potted Crab
06/06/13
This month I was tasked with making a little trip to the Norwich market and creating a meal based around its wares. My first thought? ‘Hell yeah, I can pretend I’m in a zombie apocalypse!’ Obviously.
In my particular version of the zombie apocalypse, every superstore in the land has been riddled by disease and devastation, yet, miraculously the Norwich market - haven of local and seasonal produce - remains fully staffed and stocked. The Walking Dead conveniently hang out down by Primark, so I can take a leisurely stroll into town, pick up some supplies, and then return home to my task of repopulating the earth with Andrew Lincoln.
That’s exactly how it’ll happen.
These days we’re becoming a bit used to the anonymity of supermarkets; it’s all online orders and self check-outs . But really we need to make the most of this paradise of produce, which sits just a few yards from Tesco Metro. If we don’t, then they’ll pave over it and build a car park, and Joni Mitchell will get unbearably smug about the whole thing.
If you feel slightly awkward about going to a stall and having to talk to someone about what you want, don’t. It’s ok to dither, or not know what you want instantly. The stallholders are experts in their field, and they’re a friendly bunch. You might win the pub quiz round on marine biology, or who’s-boffing-who in Made in Chelsea, but these guys know their products.
Amongst the aisles you can find clothing - a stall selling something called ‘bongs’. I have no idea what they’re for - 3 fruit and veg stalls - 2 flower stalls – Haberdashery - 2 butchers - 2 fish stalls – Sausages - Pet food – Cakes – Cheese – Spices - Fast food – Books – Music and much more. I don’t really know what else you’d need in life?
It was quite the challenge to come up with something which showed off the best of the best. Was there a dish I could do which incorporated fish, meat, cheese and a vintage blouse? Perhaps not. So instead I opted for simple, local and seasonal. These were the stars of the show.
City Fish
Cromer crabs have just come into season, after being delayed by the chilly weather, so make the most of them whilst they’re here. You can also pick up an excellent selection of other sea produce, including the traditional pots of cockles, if that’s your thing.
CJ’s, and Mike, Deb and Sons
I used two of the fruit and veg stalls, as that’s the sort of free-loving lady I am. Between them you can get all sorts of lovely seasonal stuff, a lot of which is sourced right on our doorsteps.
The Cheeseman
I really wanted to get the cheese stall in here somewhere, but my recipe didn’t require any. After a quick chat, however, I discovered that they had some lovely Jersey butter. That’s a key thing about the market, a lot of the stalls will do stuff outside of their main product, so it’s always worth a nose.
Herbs and Spices
The spice stall is like a candy store for the more savoury-toothed among us. They have herbs and spices from all sorts of far flung lands, alongside other bits and bobs such as dried fruits, flours, seeds and oils.
Morgan Pickard