The Irish growing season is in full swing. Pleasant bursts of sunshiine throughout the last few weeks, coupled with some refreshing rainfall, have brought on a holy host of crops on Irish farms and small holdings. A recent post on Facebook from Ruth Healy of Urru Culinary Store in Bandon, West Cork, showed gorgeous young fennel bulbs from a farm in Waterfall in the suburbs of Cork city. New British Queen potatoes have also arrived in markets, shops and farm shops. They are just gorgeous, popped into a pan of boiling salted water and cooked till just tender, then drained and served with big dobs of butter and some freshly ground sea salt and pepper. Food of the Gods! Look out for young spinach, green bean and Irish tomatoes, also now abundant. It's a verdant and prolific time of year. Enjoy the home grown veggies of Ireland!