From Our London Allotment to My Parents’ Table: Sage, Erişte and a Turkish Twist on an Ottolenghi Pasta
Fresh sage picked from our London allotment travelled all the way to my parents’ kitchen in Turkey, where it inspired this comforting pasta. Based on Ottolenghi’s One-Pan Orecchiette with Sage and Hazelnuts, I adapted the recipe using homemade Turkish erişte, local pink onions from Karacabey and walnuts instead of hazelnuts. A simple one-pan meal that brings together seasonal allotment produce, Turkish cooking traditions and Mediterranean flavours.
Söcce with Onion Flower Stalks (Allotment Herb & Cheese Fritters)
When our onions started sending up flower stalks, I needed a way to use the steady harvest of onion scapes from the allotment. Inspired by spring onion fritters from Özlem Warren’s Sebze and herb and cheese fritters from Musa Dağdeviren’s The Turkish Cookbook, I created this allotment-friendly version. Packed with herbs, feta and eggs, these golden fritters are a delicious way to turn an often-discarded ingredient into something worth making again and again.
Broad Beans, Pods and All
It took us four years to grow these broad beans. Every year before this, they were taken over by blackfly, but this time, with kale and broccoli flowering nearby, the bees arrived and everything changed. I cooked them the way I grew up eating them in Turkey, young and whole, pods and all. They took much longer than expected to soften, but the flavour was worth the wait, simple, lemony and finished with dill.
Cooking with Flowering Cavolo Nero
When cavolo nero starts flowering, don’t pull it out. The tender shoots make a quick pasta and a Sevilla-inspired spinach with chickpeas.
Courgette Pasta Bake
A cosy courgette pasta bake made from a giant allotment courgette — creamy, golden and so simple to put together on a weeknight.
American Cress Potato Salad with Spring Onions, Gherkins and Sumac
Peppery American cress, baby potatoes, spring onions, and gherkins in a lemon–sumac dressing — fresh, zesty, and picnic-perfect.
Borlotti Beans from the Allotment – and My Favourite Fresh Borlotti Bean Recipe
A simple, flavourful fresh borlotti bean recipe inspired by our allotment harvest – creamy, tender beans cooked with summer vegetables and o
Homemade Lacto-Fermented Gherkins – Inspired by Turkish Traditions and a Few Personal Twists
Crunchy, probiotic-rich gherkins, fermented with sourdough and chickpeas—my go-to summer pickle inspired by Turkish tradition.
Courgette Fritters: The Start of a Courgette Recipe Series
Crispy courgette fritters made with fresh herbs, spring onions, and served with garlicky yogurt. Perfect for using up homegrown courgettes!
Tava böreği (filo pie in a pan)
Spinach and feta börek, made in a pan on the hob in a jiff called tava böreği. I usually get the Turkish filo for making baklava & börek...
