Rhubarb, rhubarb...

Yorkshire rhubarb has joined the elite ranks of produce whose names can’t be mucked about with, including Champagne and Parma Ham.
UK environment secretary Hilary Benn announced recently that the sweet, tender shooted forced rhubarb, grown and harvested by candlelight, is now officially on the list of specially protected foods and drink.
Yorkshire rhubarb is the 41st home grown product whose name is now protected, along with the likes of Swaledale cheese (a favourite of mine), and Cornish Sardines.
I miss my mum’s home made rhubarb crumble – you don’t see much rhubarb here in California – but I for one am starting to recognise the value of home grown produce and it seems I’m not alone.
One of the first things that struck me about California was its proliferation of farmer’s markets, thronging with shoppers armed with everything from modest hemp bags to full sized grocery carts, all stocking up for the week with locally grown, seasonal produce.
It was almost like being a kid again – enjoying sun kissed strawberries picked early that morning in Oxnard, or a variety of weird and wonderful squashes, or perhaps local honey, said to keep allergies at bay.
This morning I felt mildly disgruntled that I couldn’t buy my blueberries at the grocery store until I realised they come from Chile at this time of year and nothing is getting out of that earthquake ravaged zone just now.
We are so used to having everything we want, all year round (even though it may have flown thousands of miles, sat in warehouses for ages and lost much of its goodness). Perhaps it’s time to appreciate the special things that grow in our own backyard a little more – be it humble Yorkshire rhubarb, or a nice bottle of organic pinot noir from Napa Valley and a sliver of Humboldt Fog cheese. Pass the organic rosemary crackers....