Autumn & Winter at Mereworth
In the next chapter of Mereworth to Menu, Head Gardener Fran shares what the team is harvesting now, what will be coming out of the garden next, and how this season’s produce will inspire the kitchens and shelves across Petworth Places.
As the seasons change, the focus at Mereworth Market Garden shifts to earthy root vegetables, stored harvests and winter squash.
Season for roots and the harvest
This season, root vegetables take centre stage. Turnips, beetroot and carrots are among the crops shaping autumn and winter harvest, bringing earthy flavours, natural sweetness and plenty of versatility to seasonal cooking.
Alongside these, potatoes and onions have been harvested and put into storage, helping carry the garden’s produce into the colder months. These familiar kitchen staples form the foundation of so many comforting dishes, from warming soups to slow-cooked suppers and hearty pies.
It’s the season that reminds us how much good cooking begins long before an ingredient reaches the kitchen.
Looking forward to winter squash
Winter squash will be another highlight as the harvest continues. Varieties such as Uchiki Kuri and Crown Prince bring their own colours, textures and flavours to the autumn kitchen, lending themselves to roasting, soups and other warming seasonal dishes.
Their natural sweetness works beautifully alongside savoury ingredients, fresh herbs, cheeses and toasted seeds. A reminder that seasonal produce often needs little more than a few thoughtful pairings to shine.
From Mereworth to Menu
One of the pleasures of growing produce for our own kitchens is seeing how the harvest is interpreted by our chefs.
At E.Street Bar & Grill, roasted pumpkin is paired with goat’s cheese, pumpkin seed granola and chimichurri dressing. A dish that brings together the sweetness of the squash, the creaminess of the cheese, the crunch of toasted seeds and the freshness of the dressing.
It’s a simple illustration of what Mereworth to Menu is all about; growing with the seasons, cooking with the ingredients available to us, and allowing the produce to inspire what appears on the plate.
The same connection runs through The Hungry Guest, where seasonal ingredients offer inspiration for home cooking, bringing a little of the garden into everyday meals.
Growing for the season ahead
The autumn and winter months are about more than what can be harvested today. They are also a time to prepare, plan and look ahead; making decisions now that will shape the garden in the coming year.
As Fran explains in the latest video, the changing season brings its own priorities, from harvesting and storing crops to planning what comes next.
Watch Fran’s Q&A on Instagram to hear more about the season ahead and follow the story of Mereworth Market Garden, from the first stages of growing to the dishes and ingredients that eventually make their way to the table.