Jersey potatoes

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Posted at 12:26PM, 13 March 2008 by Gregg Wallace - TV presenter, greengrocer

I've just got back from a trip to Jersey, never been before, stunningly beautiful place. Some of the most dramatic coastline I've ever seen. They also have quite a large collection of very good restaurants. When you realise the island is almost 12 miles long by five miles wide, it's quite remarkable the quality of the eateries. I suppose it's not too surprising though when you consider the wealth on the island.

Jersey used to make its money from tourism and agriculture. Nowadays it's all about finance. But the ghost of Jersey's agricultural splendour can still be seen, and more importantly, tasted.

The star of the show though is obviously the 'mid', the famous Jersey Mid potato.

The tomatoes on Jersey are very good, the cream of course is excellent. I didn't realise until I got here just how good the beef is. Although sadly there is not enough of it. The star of the show though is obviously the 'mid', the famous Jersey Mid potato.

They are not quite in our shops yet, but it's not long to wait now. I sampled the first of them while I was there. It was cooked for me by people in the know, with very good connections. There really isn't a flavour or texture like it anywhere else in the world. I have heard people complain that they are not as good as they were, even islanders themselves. I'm not sure, I've been eating them for a few years now and they seem just as good every year.

A lot of people are aware that the beds for the little lovelies used to be prepared with seaweed. I knew that. What I didn't know until two days ago was the land was also treated with a large amount of seagull droppings!

My favourite indulgence is to cook more than I need, leave them overnight, then fry them sliced in butter for breakfast, served with a fried egg. Gull's egg maybe!

Comments

JANET

14 March 2008, 1:31PM
JANET

Sorry Greg - they are called Jersey Royal New Potatoes. Mids is just one of the sizes, chats are smaller, ware are larger. However, I must agree about the taste, best boiled with a sprig of mint and served with a large knob of Jersey butter. Even lovely cold. While you were over did you try the Classic Herd cheese and the local pork? - both superb.

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willis123

14 March 2008, 6:15PM
willis123

they make a great warm potatoe salad

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Truffle

15 March 2008, 2:58PM
Truffle

I was sure when we went that Jersey Royals tasted better in Jersey. But otherwise we thought the restaurants were really disappointing. Maybe it was not a good time of year. Nice fish but not cooked into nice dishes. A bit 1960s.

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cutielou

19 March 2008, 11:22AM
cutielou

Hey Greg, Glad you enjoyed Jersey, one of my favourites too. And as for the potatoes, well give me a bowl of them covered in melted butter and a sprinkling of finely chopped parsley and I'm one happy bunny. Had many a fine meal over there, also cream teas and fab homemade cakes and produce too.

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Gregg

23 March 2008, 6:39AM
Gregg

Well, for Janet. Yes of course you are correct. Most people over here though only get mid or ware. Poor Truffle. There are lots of restaurants on the island. In fact there seems a huge amount of Michellin decoration for a place so small. where did you eat?

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Kay

29 March 2008, 4:30PM
Kay

I have just bought some potatoes being sold as Jersy Royals....scrubbing them doesn't move the skin- I have always been able to rub the skin off easily - do you think I have been sold something thing other than Jersy royals....

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Kay

29 March 2008, 6:05PM
Kay

Hi - I thought I had left a comment but as I'm new to this perhaps I haven't!! I love jersey royals and look forward to their first appearance in the shops..so when I bought some this week was surprised that the skins would not move even with scrubbing..I'm now wondering have I been cheated as I always believed that the skins of jersey royals came off with very little help..so far I haven't cooked them convinced that they are not Jersy royals...

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patti

29 March 2009, 5:21PM
patti

I am looking forward to having Jersey Potatoes. Its a shame that the big shops have spoiled them by taking off the skins. All good things must come to an end. The Jersey growers should be careful because of big shops.

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