To read the latest issue, click 'Issues by year' in the menu above

The month is August, and the ripe courgettes
Glow darkest green along the trailing vine.
Their rich abundance means one must design
Menus to use them. Fritters? Or croquettes?
They taste of almost nothing, flannelette
In vegetable form; I'll swap you mine
If you'll exchange for carrots, home-made wine,
Or almost anything the alphabet
Identifies that has a more marked flavour.
Like mint or rocket, something I could savour,
Not something that looks pretty on a plate,
And now, of course, they're growing in full spate.
I really wish they had a stronger taste.
I just can't let the darn things go to waste!