On the 31st of March 1889, a true global landmark and genuinely iconic building was opened for the first time in France. The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Fair happening in Paris at that time and it was only supposed to be a temporary building but as we all know, despite many Parisians at the time hating it, it’s still one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world today.
The 31st of March 2022 sees the return of one of our seasonal favourites; the Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumpling. While not as grand or instantly recognisable as the Eiffel Tower, it is considerably cheaper and a lot tastier! Unlike its French fellow birthday celebrant, our Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumpling will only be here for a limited time. Much as we wish we could make it all year we only use fresh, local rhubarb and that’s very seasonal. Depending on the weather and the rhubarb crop, we hope to have it available until May, but as we all know unfortunately you can’t put too much faith in the dear Scottish weather! What we can say is the first crops of rhubarb are here and they’re wonderful.
At Clootie McToot, we only use fresh, local rhubarb in our special seasonal Rhubarb & Ginger Clootie Dumplings.
Rhubarb is actually a vegetable, although most of us think of it as a fruit. It’s got a fantastic sweet, yet tart taste that balances so well with the tang of ginger. The mix of the flavours complement one another in a clootie dumpling, it really is the perfect way to enjoy rhubarb. People really do enjoy it, every spring we get contacted by customers who want to know if there will be another batch made. As ever that will be down to mother nature so our advice is to order early so you don’t miss out!
Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumpling makes a wonderful dessert, combining equally well with sweet toppings like ice-cream and custard or with fresh cream.
For us at Clootie McToot, creating Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumplings marks the start of spring. There’s much more light in the mornings and evenings now, the temperature is starting creep up, during the day at least, and we’re being enchanted by the sound of bird song again as all around us in Abernethy, flowers are opening, buds are forming and trees are waking from their winter slumber. If that sounds inviting and you fancy coming to visit us in the coming weeks, our opening hours are changing from 6th April, when we’ll be welcoming visitors from 10am to 4.30pm.
Our Clootie Cafe opening hours will be changing from 6th April to 10am to 4.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday
Paris is of course famous for its pavement cafes where you can watch chic Parisians go about their day with the Eiffel Tower in the background, but as far as we know none of them sell clootie dumplings. For that you still need to come to rural Perthshire, where there’s a lot less traffic and always a welcoming smile and, for a couple of months at least, Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumplings.
Rhubarb and Ginger Clootie Dumplings are available directly from us while stocks last. You can order them online or by phone on 01738 850795 or you can visit us in person at Clootie McToot, Main St, Abernethy, Perth, PH2 9JB.
Michelle Xx
