Jersey boy...
Jersey Royals are back in season – and Jimmy Doherty couldn’t be happier. He tells GEMMA DUNN why they should be star of the show
HE MIGHT be known for his rare-breed pigs, but entomologist-turned-farmer Jimmy Doherty’s latest initiative lets their veggie sidekick – the humble potato – do the talking.
“The Jersey Royal is an iconic food item and something we should celebrate,” the 40-yearold enthuses of his collaboration with the seasonal spud.
“If the Italians or French had this, they would be going on about it all the time.”
Since taking on a 100-acre farm more than 10 years ago, which was documented in BBC2 series Jimmy’s Farm, he has made a name for himself in the world of TV, appearing in shows including Food Unwrapped and Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, with childhood friend Jamie Oliver.
Add to that three books and a number of free-range food products, and it stands to reason that he’s the ideal patron to champion the unique Jersey crop – or as he dubs it, “the champagne of potatoes”.
Available from April until the end of June, Jersey Royals’ Protected Designation of Origin status means its fivegenerational farmers use 130-year-old techniques to ensure their nutty flavour, creamy consistency and flaky skins.
Jersey Royals are delivered to supermarkets within 48 hours of being gathered up and Jimmy is a firm believer that these potatoes – and other varieties – should be a diet staple.
“We forget potatoes are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre, and we’re moving to other carbohydrates like rice and pasta,” he says. “We should go back to eating lots of potatoes. It’s about portion control, that’s all,” the father-of-three adds, in response to spud critics.
Try Jimmy’s family friendly recipes, specifically created for the iconic Jersey Royal...