10 best jersey royal recipes
The first of the British new-season potatoes to be harvested each year, these small, fragile-skinned spuds have a firm, waxy and slightly sweet flesh. When they first appear on the shelves, you’ll want to do little more than simply boil or steam them and toss with melting butter. But they’re wonderful roasted, in salads or in tarts, too.
Shop new potatoes, or find more Jersey Royal recipes.
1
JERSEY ROYAL FOCACCIA
Studded with garlic and rosemary-infused Jersey Royals, this airy focaccia is pretty special. Drizzle with peppery extra virgin olive oil for even more flavour
2
SPICED JERSEY ROYALS WITH CURRY LEAVES
The Jersey Royal’s dense interior means it can stand up to punchier flavours. Here, they’re browned with onions, spices and aromatic curry leaves
2
SPICED JERSEY ROYALS WITH CURRY LEAVES
The Jersey Royal’s dense interior means it can stand up to punchier flavours. Here, they’re browned with onions, spices and aromatic curry leaves
3
JERSEY ROYAL, BUTTER BEAN AND ASPARAGUS TRAYBAKE
Pair Jersey Royals with that other springtime favourite, asparagus, in this simple traybake. We love it with poached eggs and smoked salmon for brunch
4
JERSEY ROYAL, BRIE AND ASPARAGUS FRITTATA
This seasonal frittata is a lovely light supper dish – and any leftovers can be eaten cold for tomorrow’s lunch. Goat’s cheese or feta would work instead of the Brie if that’s what you’ve got in the fridge
4
JERSEY ROYAL, BRIE AND ASPARAGUS FRITTATA
This seasonal frittata is a lovely light supper dish – and any leftovers can be eaten cold for tomorrow’s lunch. Goat’s cheese or feta would work instead of the Brie if that’s what you’ve got in the fridge
5
JERSEY ROYAL, HALLOUMI AND RED PEPPER SKEWERS WITH PESTO
Jersey Royals’ firm texture stands up well to heat: skewer them with halloumi and peppers and grill on the barbecue until slightly charred
6
JERSEY ROYAL, DILL AND CAPER SALAD
Capers give this salad a wonderfully punchy flavour. Take care when seasoning, as you won’t need as much salt. If you’re not a fan of capers, try black olives instead
6
JERSEY ROYAL, DILL AND CAPER SALAD
Capers give this salad a wonderfully punchy flavour. Take care when seasoning, as you won’t need as much salt. If you’re not a fan of capers, try black olives instead
7
ASPARAGUS AND POTATO FILO TART
It looks impressive, but this crisp-layered filo tart is simple to put together, and on the table in 25 minutes
8
SALMON, ASPARAGUS AND JERSEY ROYAL BAKE
Here, Jersey Royals are baked with delicate salmon and tender asparagus for a seasonal traybake that’s easy to scale up for garden gatherings
8
SALMON, ASPARAGUS AND JERSEY ROYAL BAKE
Here, Jersey Royals are baked with delicate salmon and tender asparagus for a seasonal traybake that’s easy to scale up for garden gatherings
9
INDIAN-STYLE PANCAKES WITH SPICED JERSEY ROYALS
Spiced Jersey Royals make a delicious filling for soft gram-flour pancakes in this Indian-inspired dish. Dollop some natural yogurt on the side for dipping
10
JERSEY ROYAL SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND QUAIL EGGS
It wouldn’t be a list of best new potato recipes without a creamy salad: this one includes sweet little quail eggs, but hen’s eggs will work just as well
10
JERSEY ROYAL SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND QUAIL EGGS
It wouldn’t be a list of best new potato recipes without a creamy salad: this one includes sweet little quail eggs, but hen’s eggs will work just as well
WHAT MAKES JERSEY ROYALS SO SPECIAL?
They’re one of only two vegetables in the British Isles to be awarded a Protected Designation of Origin – the other being Yorkshire forced rhubarb. What makes them worth protecting? There are, after all, plenty of other small potatoes around these days. None, however, are grown quite like Jersey Royals.
The first of the island’s potatoes come from the steep south-facing fields (known as ‘côtils’) near the coast, where the potatoes, in places, can only be harvested by hand and the fields are fertilised with seaweed – or ‘vraic’ – gathered from local beaches, a factor that many credit for Jersey Royals’ particular flavour. Then there’s their sheer precociousness – Jersey has a warmer climate than the mainland, meaning Jersey Royals are the first new potatoes to be grown in the British Isles each year, at least a month before mainland UK.
There’s surely something worth celebrating about a vegetable that is only produced in a particular way, in a particular place and at a particular time of year. That uniqueness is what PDOs are all about.
HOW TO STORE AND PREP JERSEY ROYALS
Keep them in a cool, dark place to prevent any loss of firmness or flavour: wrapped in a paper bag in the salad drawer of the fridge is ideal. Wash or scrub gently, but don’t peel them; so much flavour and character lies in and just below that tender, delicate skin.
HOW TO STORE AND PREP JERSEY ROYALS
Keep them in a cool, dark place to prevent any loss of firmness or flavour: wrapped in a paper bag in the salad drawer of the fridge is ideal. Wash or scrub gently, but don’t peel them; so much flavour and character lies in and just below that tender, delicate skin.