Memories of food; childhood "pick your own" experiences

At a start of another new year, I always find myself reflecting back to childhood memories when the world seemed a lot bigger and more exciting and unknown. So I decided to look at some old photo albums which was emotional but also filled with happy times. Even photos connected to food and cooking. So I thought I would start sharing some of those moments with you all.

Me at nearly 2 years old, successfully finding a sweetcorn cob in the large forest of corn hub plants.

I have many early fond family memories of us driving to a farm about 30 minutes from our house called "Barleylands Farm" which still exists today. But sadly today the fields which were previously filled with lots of fruits and vegetables for "pick your own" are now football pitches. There's still a farm shop and now a farm park which offers many educational farm based activities for children and families when not in a regional Covid lockdown of course.

When I grew up in Southend-on-sea in Essex, I was fortunate to have back garden. But when I was a toddler, I don't really remember the garden really being used to grow much let alone have grass to run about on. There was an old shed and still an outhouse toilet which was common to have for terraced houses back in the late 1800's and 1900's. But my parents later on had the garden renovated and built an extension to the house and the outhouse was also removed during the process.

My parents grew up in Hong Kong, China from families of farmers. Typically growing their own produce and living off the land they had. So having a terraced house without any means of growing their own food took some getting use to. But thank goodness to Pick Your Own (PYO) farms. It was always an adventure going to Barleylands farm. You have an intention to pick certain vegetables and fruit which were in season. But sometimes you end up with different items or even produce you didn't expect. But I love this way of shopping. The whole tactile process of picking or pulling fruit and vegetables from the plants or ground. Super fun as a child and at any age. You can learn how the produce grow whilst walking or running about hiding or discovering all that grows around the farm.

Now fast forward to 2020, I managed to find PYO farms not far outside Paris. In particular La Cueillette de Gally where there's a large selection of fruit and vegetables along with flowers and herbs. I was fortunate to go during September when the weather was very warm. Thankfully I came prepared with a hat and sunscreen along with a basket and scissors in hand whilst wearing my walking boots. It was great to pick raspberries, apples, tomatoes, even rhubarb, cucumbers and aubergines. What was even better was that the fruit and vegetables I picked last longer that supermarket versions.

So even as an adult I still long for PYO farms and even the occasional foraging. For me its an important and significant way to start my cooking process. Even on the small balconies we have in our Parisian apartment, I try to grow produce like lemons, tomatoes, herbs and raspberries. But I've yet to produce the quantities to sustain all year round. So more trips to PYO farms will be enjoyed, if covid restrictions permits.

So if you haven't managed to go to a PYO farm, do check your local area and see what's available. I'm sure some efficient farms even can offer near by delivery of some of their goods if you are currently in a regional lockdown. But otherwise visiting a farm in the forthcoming months could be something to look forward to. Happy pickinng!