soup ... and other things




A fearsome north wind is howling across our part of the Fens this morning.
It seems that winter has arrived.
So what is needed is a rich, warm soup.
And one made with a local speciality is even better!


I've sung the praises of Fenland celery before.  It is the first English vegetable to be given PGI (protected geographical indication).
You can read all about the history and cultivation of the crop on the Fenland celery website.



The UK has relatively few products granted such status compared with some Mediterranean countries, but several of them are fairly local to this area.
Newmarket sausages and Melton Mowbray pork pies have both been awarded PGI.
Stilton cheese has been awarded PDO ( protected designation of origin).


When we were first married and before moving further east to the Fens, mr digandweed and I lived in the village of Stilton nr Peterborough.
Surprisingly, Stilton cheese is not actually produced in Stilton village but in parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
 The link with Stilton and hence the name came because in the 1730s it began to be sold by Cooper Thornhill who at that time was landlord of The Bell Inn Stilton, a large coaching inn on the Great North road.
Travellers would stop at the inn, which was a busy resting place on the road between London and Edinburgh, sample the cheese and so its fame spread.


The village of Stilton is now by-passed by the A1, but the beautiful Bell Inn can still be found in the village.
A piece of Stilton, had I had some, would have gone very well with my celery soup, but instead I had croutons and a light sprinkling of thyme.
I used this favourite recipe (without the apple).


Happy weekend everyone.




annjenny x

Comments

  1. The soup looks beautiful, I have just made a big batch of potato and leek soup which is an all time favourite of ours.

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  2. Mmm, it looks absolutely delicious, I'm a big fan of celery, and I bet Fenland celery is in a league of its own. I do so love local food. CJ xx

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  3. Hi.. just came across your blog and love what I see.. The soup looks delicious! I must give it a try with just our regular celery here in Eastern Canada.. I am your newest follower..

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  4. Hi.. just came across your blog and love what I see.. The soup looks delicious! I must give it a try with just our regular celery here in Eastern Canada.. I am your newest follower..

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    Replies
    1. Hello Faye. Thank you for your kind comments. I have made the soup with ordinary celery and it was still delicious. Thank you for following.

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  5. Didn't realise that Stilton was named for that reason! Love celery so will definitely give your soup a go. Barbara

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  6. Food history is fascinating and your soup looks divine!

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  7. 'Tis definitely the season to be soupy. I've been looking for a celery soup recipe too, so thank you. Looks like a trip to Cambridge might be in order.

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  8. Soup definitely hits the spot in winter. The history of Stilton was so very interesting. My sister lives in Suffolk, but I live in PA, USA. Our winter has been extremely mild so far, but I think has come now.
    Christy
    Lilbitbrit

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