ONE of the reasons Autumn is my favourite season is the food. British apples with three times the character of your average Braeburn, blackberries, late fruiting raspberries, piles of beetroot, hearty soups, an excuse for stews - what's not to love.

Anyway, here are some of my food highlights from the weekend. 

Hog

Sometimes only a hog roast will do. Crackling, meat, stuffing and apple sauce. Yum. Mone was from Greenfield, who are regulars at Hampshire's Farmers Markets.

Winchester Evening Tea

A new discovery, this tea is made from white peony flowers and rosebuds. It's unsuprisingly very floral, but totally delicious. 

Beetroot Gratin

Chiogga beetroots (the ones with the stripy insides), sliced and baked in cream and garlic. Blooming lovely (although best eaten with something with a little bitterness to ofset the sweetness of the roots.)

Homemade coleslaw

Without a doubt the food star of the weekend. I've never made mayonnaise before, but having made some for this recipe I can confirm it is worth the hassle. This is the best coleslaw I've ever eaten. I could have had the whole bowl by itself (I didn't). The mayonnaise did take a lot of work though.

So, what's the best thing you've eaten this weekend?