Spring in North Canterbury

Spring into the new season with delicious fresh produce grown right here in our bountiful back yard! Spring is a time for growth and abundance here in North Canterbury. The days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer and you can smell the promise of summer just around the corner. The weather calls for lighter meals as we emerge from our winter cocoons, with crisp, fresh flavours at the fore. Here’s what’s good to harvest, eat and drink in North Canterbury this season:

Spring Vegetables

Hit the farmers’ markets or your favourite vegetable grower for this season’s best new veg. Spring carrots are a favourite here at MADE: fresh, steamed or roasted, they’re delicious every which way. All the leafy salad greens are bursting with nutrients and flavour in spring. Snap up mesclun, rocket, herbs, lettuce and more for your spring salads. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some delicious fresh asparagus, too!

Garlic

Keep up your immunity and give your dishes some epic flavour with new season garlic. Pihi Farms are our local garlic experts, growing elephant garlic, purple garlic and delicious garlic scapes (pictured thanks to Pihi Farms). Get your fresh garlic from mid to late spring.

Eggs

Chooks start laying with zeal come spring, so now’s the time to look out for some superb, fresh free-range eggs. Benzie Free Range Eggs can be found on North Canterbury supermarket shelves or, if you’re a market-goer, look out for Oxford Free Range Eggs. Owned by our friends Natalie and Will, both of these brands are produced locally on a huge free-range property, full of happy hens. Omelettes, souffles, frittatas are go!

Pork

Speaking of free-range, spring is the season to enjoy some quality free-range pork from Patoa Farms. New Zealand’s largest pig farm is located just outside Hawarden, North Canterbury, and you can find their delicious pork products on local supermarket shelves. or via Harris Farms, to whom they are the exclusive pork supplier. Barbecued, roasted, curried or stir-fried – pork is a delicious, light protein source for spring.

Rosé

North Canterbury Rosé is a perfect match for spring and all the dishes you’ll be whipping up this season. Fancrest Estate organic Pinot Noir Rosé is a food-friendly style made with minimal intervention, bringing out the character and complexity of the Waipara Valley terroir. Or crack open a bottle of Mount Brown Estates 2022 Grand Reserve Rosé for a crisp, refreshing wine with hints of berries and ripe cherry.

Spring Recipe

This month we’re profiling a delicious pulled pork recipe from Harris Farms. In-house chef Richard Harris uses North Canterbury pork and garlic to make this sensational pulled pork that can be used in a variety of ways. We recommend popping it into sliders along with a fresh, crunchy, herby slaw and a glass of rosé on the side. Yum!

View the Harris Farms recipe here.