Summer foods

Between the rain and the midges, good outdoor eating nights are a rarity here on the island, so we grab them when we can.

Summer foods are the absolute best thing about summer. Especially if we get to eat them outside – double bonus points in my book.

And if there’s a fire too, definitely triple bonus points. So tonight we’ll be firing up the firepit for grilled mackerel, new potatoes and salad, followed by summer trifle. We have so much mackerel that we’ll batch grill it and freeze it cooked and flaked, or turned into pate.

Grilled fresh mackerel about to go onto the grill over the firepit. Firm and fresh, ready for eating.

Grilled and smoky.

Small, sweet cherry tomatoes from the polycrub, picked as they ripen daily, just a small handful at a time. Mainly Sungold so far, which has done really well for us this year, and has a beautiful flavour.

Lettuce that actually tastes of something, fresh and crunchy from the croft. And celery, my surprise growing success this year.

New potatoes, small and firm, to be simply cooked and served drenched in butter

Summer trifle with peaches and cream for afters.

The land and the seas here provide such good eating. We’re loving our summer food.

Life is good.