One of the things I used to get excited about in the UK was the arrival of Jersey Royal potatoes. Here in the Loire it’s the new potatoes from small island of Noirmoutier.
Noirmoutier potatoes, the best in the world imho (well apart from Jersey Royals!)
Thanks to it’s unique climate, Noirmoutier produces the first of the early season ‘new’ potatoes and these ones are arguably the best in the world. Smooth and nutty with a slightly saline quality the flavour is sweet and delicate. Various different varieties come in during the season the first of which is called Sirtema which is available from the beginning of April.
Sirtema, the first of the Noirmoutier potatoes
Enjoy them with a large slab of salted butter or add a few finely chopped mint leaves. Boil them in lightly salted water, steam them, sauté them or make them into a waxy salad with a light dressing. Truly a taste of spring and worth every penny. They’re super expensive at the moment (around 7,50€ a kilo) but prices become more reasonable as they hit the markets.
You can find more information about Noirmoutier potatoes here on the Co-operative website
