Hot with a heart
On Saturday I was at West Bridgford Farmer’s Market, which was a first, which is a bit shameful to admit as it’s really close to here. I went with Best Foodie Friend who, when she was in tarts, used to trade there, which means she knew a lot of the folk braving the rain and cold behind the stalls.
We spent quite a long time chatting to Debby at Gringley Gringo. I must admit I’ve seen their stall before but not wandered over, but boy was it worth it. Not just for the great chilli products, but the great stuff they do in the background around community involvement. Before their move to bigger premises, chilli plants were given free to local schools and community groups, who were then payed for the harvest. Now they have space for their own polytunnels but the community is still getting involved, and getting something out of it.
So, this counts as good local food, and a good community business, and I would encourage you to both support them, and to find other examples close to where you are to support. I came away with a great gift set for Christmas, comprising Jalapeno & Ginger Dipping Sauce, Chipotle Sauce and Gringo Gold Hot Chilli Sauce. This is going to be perfect for a couple who are opposite ends of the chilli love scale!
I particularly like the Jalapeno & Ginger, as I’m a bit of a wimp on the heat front. This makes a good change to a sweet chilli sauce, and I could see using it in its place with everything from fishcakes to just dipping crisps in it. The Tounge Tickle Chilli Pickle sounds like it would liven up cold cuts on Boxing Day, whilst the wimps amongst us will be having the Jalapeno, Lemon and Cardamom Chilli Jelly instead!
If you’re up near Clumber Park then you can drop in and see them, as they now have a shop and you can get to see how it’s all made. I love that the Community Growing Project is a joint venture between them and the National Trust, who own Clumber Park. If you work at a school in the area and are not involved already, it sounds like a great thing to get kids involved in. The more involved kids are with food the more they appreciate it and will think about what they are eating. If that’s not a way to solve an obesity crisis I’m not sure what is.
Gringley Gringo, I salute you, a true food hero if ever I saw one!
Chilli pepper image by lizziebob on Flickr
