Celebrating the Summer

Summertime on Albertvale Farm, near the village of Bedford in the Eastern Cape, brings a bounty of new seasonal produce in the shape of herbs, flowers and vegetables. My mouth waters as I watch the broad beans fatten on the plant. They are one of my favourite vegetables, and my fingers twitch in anticipation of that familiar flavour burst in early summer. Butter, black pepper and shelled broad beans is a simple yet sumptuous combination, and broadbean hummus is a real treat made with a combination of chickpeas, broad beans, tahini, lemon juice, a hint of ginger, salt and pepper. (I leave out the garlic as it overpowers the beans.)

Summer is a time for our bodies to embrace the warmth, to be invigorated and energised by our food choices, and seek the cooling