Reflections on February 2010
February has come and gone, and with it my plan to visit the rhubarb sheds of West Yorkshire. As it turns out, it would have been a celebratory trip this year, because the twelve remaining growers in the “Rhubarb Triangle” have gained Protected Designation of Origin classification from the EU for their Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb. Joining the ranks of international high flyers, such as Champagne, Roquefort Cheese and Parma Ham, the growers can be justly proud of their achievement and their wonderful product.
I imagine a visit to the warm, dark forcing sheds would be a surreal experience - hundreds of rhubarb stems, ramrod straight, pushing upwards in the impenetrable darkness, broken only by the gentle glow of candlelight during harvesting.
Here in the Rosebud kitchen, the ruby-red stems lend an exotic vibrancy to February mornings. Sweet-sharp and tender, they make the most delicious Rhubarb & Ginger Jam, and more unusually, Rhubarb & Orange Jam, a great alternative to marmalade; then, at the weekend, a sublime rhubarb crumble for my family.
Three cheers for Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, and our thanks to David and Jonathan Westwood who have provided us with their beautiful product for over twenty years.
Tags: eu, Forced Rhubarb, Ginger, jam, Orange, protected designation of origin, rhubarb triangle, west yorkshire