So much! So large an area… There’s a Slow Food presence in the Solent; Slow Food Solent are new, but the information and ideas I’ve been getting from them make me feel they’re going to be really strong in their area.
So, what’s the Solent about? From the words of the Solent leader;
Watercress: there are loads of watercress beds up the Meon, Itchen and Test valleys and the annual watercress festival is held on the 16th May this year I think, in Alresford.
Strawberries: The area of Titchfield (near Fareham) is a traditional
Strawberry growing area. It was one of the most important industries in the area from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s but has been in decline since the 1960s. There are still quite a few strawberry growers around there though, and a few pick your own farms.
Vineyards: There are a few vineyards and winerys throughout the Solent region (i.e. Wickham vineyard, Danebury vineyard, Bookers vineyard) which produce rather nice wines! There are also sparkling wines made in the area.
Salt marsh beef: there are a few areas where cattle graze on salt water marshes, which is beneficial for the grasslands and alters the taste of the beef. I have to admit I have not yet tasted it…so I cant tell you what it is like!
The New Forest: where ponies run wild! The New Forest has the right of common grazing for livestock, including ponies, cattle and donkeys and also some sheep and in the Autumn they are joined by pigs to eat the fallen acorns.
Lamb: There is a fair amount of sheep farming on the South Downs, usually with traditional Hampshire Down or South Down breeds.
Seafood: We are on the shore, so there are a fair number of fish
markets/shops around.
Others – we have a great climate so normally get asparagus, strawberries, sweetcorn etc a bit earlier than elsewhere. There are also a few orchards with heritage fruit species, plus plenty of other producers. There are some great locals cheeses (my fave is Lydburn Garlic and Nettle – yum), lots of lovely local beers and also loads of other stuff!
…
What do you know about the Solent? Something missing from above… well, get on the forum and say it like it is.
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