Paddy’s Pesto Potato Pizza

It’s Spring, St Patricks Day and, coincidentally, nearly Pat’s birthday, so that means it’s time for our Wild garlic special “Paddy’s Pesto Potato Pizza.

And what better way to celebrate, (in my view) the start of the year, than to honour this old, delicious, wild plant. According to the Woodland Trust “Wild garlic is one of a number of plant species whose presence indicates that a wood is ancient. “

We go to the same spot in a shady woodland not far from the Lewes Arms pub, in a place where we first picked ramsons many years ago for a highly nutritious boost after a long Winter. And more recently, for the last few years, with our babies in tow. As we return each year it is reassuring to see the verdant forest floor reaching new corners of the woods, and when we see the increased annual growth year on year we can be assured we are foraging sustainably.

We pick only a few leaves, leaving the bulbs undisturbed, and make sure to only pick from a few plants before moving onto the next area. If any are in flower we make sure to leave the leaves and flowers on that plant to ensure there is early food for the pollinators. We also make sure we are not including any of the mildly toxic plants growing in and around the woodland such as lily of the valley and dog’s mercury.

Back at the pub the kitchen team process and check the wild garlic, and wash it thoroughly, then the pesto is prepared!

We pair this gift of Spring with potatoes, roasted in the wood-fired oven, mozzarella and a sprinkle of sea salt once the pizza is cooked. The pizza is comforting, really really tasty and to quote one of our customers “this was genuinely the best pizza I’ve ever had”.

Please do come and celebrate this wonderful time with us and enjoy our wild garlic pesto potato pizza. You can eat in at The Lewes Arms or order for collection/takeaway… available till we run out.