Winter colour

I am fond of rhubarb and this year I hope to harvest my own - still to decide on whether to force the issue.

Until recently, I always had to seek rhubarb out. Now, it is commonplace in supermarkets and stuck to the seasons. I haven't seen any in November airlifted from some faraway land yet but perhaps I just haven't been looking. The first sighting of 'early' rhubarb in the supermarket was always greeted with joy and a signal that the end of winter was not far off, that spring was just around the corner.

I was surprised and delighted to find early rhubarb on sale at our most reputable of food markets. I checked the label and it had come all the way from Yorkshire. Happy with these noble credentials, it was bought and (very gently) cooked. It was marvellous with a glorious colour which had to be shared.

But, I wonder, is it too early for early rhubarb?