about the book

A Year in My Shetland Garden by misa hay

The main idea behind ‘A Year in My Shetland Garden’ cookbook is to offer a collection of simple, quick and nourishing recipes for people who enjoy growing their own produce and cooking with it.

To hold the cookbook in my hands still feels like a dream to me. After many years of thinking about it, making plans, gathering ideas, researching, growing, experimenting, developing recipes, learning about food photography and styling, it was only in March 2021 when I started to turn my vision into something real. After working on many Shetland publications in the past, I felt it was time for something of my own.

I grew up in the Czech Republic and dreamt of having my own garden. When I moved to Shetland and my garden wishes came true, I quickly realised that it wasn’t going to be as simple as I had thought. Would anything actually grow here? 

Whether you live in Shetland or elsewhere, have a garden, a small balcony or just a windowsill with some pots, I hope you will enjoy the recipes and find inspiration and useful ideas in this book. Perhaps next year will be the first year you grow your own salad leaves and radishes… Nothing beats that feeling! Or the taste…

A Year in My Shetland Garden is a celebration of producing your own food in the challenging conditions of 60° north, where winters are long and the growing season is short. The collection of simple seasonal recipes for nourishing dishes is inspired by my beloved garden, local Shetland produce and wild plants.

Many of the recipes are flavoured by my Czech heritage and my travels as well as by Scottish classics and Shetland specialities, all beautifully brought to life by Susan Molloy’s photographs.

The book is also a prompt to slow down and enjoy what we have, strengthening our connection to nature through what we grow and cook, with an aim to waste less and be more resourceful. You will also find seasonal gardening tips and tasty recipes for snacks, soups, quick meals and special occasions, as well as mouth-watering loaves, delicious preserves and refreshing drinks – more than 80 ways to make the most of your garden throughout the year.

inside the book

recipes

  • • Nettle Soup

    • Leek and Potato Soup with Croutons

    • Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Cavolo Nero Salad

    • Four-Bean Salad with a Herb and Garlic Dressing

    • Poached Rhubarb Cranachan

    • Wild Garlic Pesto

    • Green Smoothies

    • Quark Spread

    • Spinach Bhajis with a Green Salsa

    • Green Juice

    • Veggie Burgers with a Tahini Dip

    • Rhubarb and Almond Cake

  • • Summer Courgette Soup

    • Traditional and Beetroot Gazpacho

    • Crispy Fried Cauliflower with Boiled Potatoes

    • Courgette Salad

    • Warm Green Lentil and Chargrilled Broccoli Salad a Homemade Dressing

    • Courgette Fritters with a Yoghurt Dip

    • Oven-Baked Smoked Haddock Risotto

    • Easy Ratatouille

    • Courgette and Pistachio Loaf Cake

    • Rhubarb and Strawberry Pavlova

    • Rebarborová Buchta (Rhubarb Tray Cake)

    • Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam

    • Rhubarb Cordial

    • Rhubarb Chutney

    • Rhubarb and Apple Purée

    • Sweet Pickled Rhubarb

    • Piccalilli

    • Quick Pickled Cucumber

    • No-Cook Raspberry and Chia Seed Jam

    • Elderflower Cordial

    • Homemade Herbal Tea Blends

    • Natural Cough Syrup

    • Panzanella

    • Catalan Tomato

  • • Roast Shetland Lamb with a Moroccan Spice Rub

    • Borscht

    • Cream of Roast Celeriac Soup

    • Autumn-Spiced Pumpkin Soup

    • Carrot and Coriander Soup

    • Beetroot Carpaccio with Feta

    • Carrot and Celeriac Salad with Capers

    • Zingy Cumin-Spiced Carrot Salad with Ginger

    • Kale Crisps

    • Creamy Beetroot Salad

    • Beetroot Hummus

    • Roast Squash and Chickpea Salad with a Smoked Paprika Dressing

    • Fried Mushrooms and Caramelised Onions on Toast with Feta

    • Lacto-Fermented Vegetables

    • Sauerkraut

    • Kimchi-Style Hot Kraut

    • Rosehip Jelly

    • Roast New Potatoes and a Homemade Aïoli

    • Spanish Frittata

    • Bean and Chorizo Stew

    • Pumpkin Purée Risotto

    • Carrot Cake

    • Grandma’s Easy Apple Strudel

  • • Reestit Mutton Tattie Soup

    • Lentil Soup with Bannocks

    • Valašská Kyselice (Sauerkraut and Smoked Sausage Soup)

    • Warm Cavolo Nero, Sweet Potato and Halloumi Salad

    • Crunchy Red Cabbage Salad

    • Smoked Mackerel Pâté with Homemade Oatcakes

    • Haddock with a Chorizo and Herb Crust

    • Beef Bourguignon with a Celeriac Mash

    • Czech Christmas and Light Viennese Potato Salads

    • Ořechová Bábovka (Walnut Bundt Cake)

    • Delicious Homemade Granola

  • • Easy Loaf

    • Breakfast Rolls

    • White Sourdough Loaf

    • No-Knead Sourdough Loaf

    • Dark Rye Sourdough Loaf

    • Herby Butter

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“Everybody got a cookbook from me this Christmas. So now everybody that I know wants to move to Shetland.”


— Emily — Devon, England

“A very wise friend gave me your cookbook for my birthday a few weeks ago and I’ve already tried several recipes and they are fantastic.

Your lentil soup is the best I’ve ever tasted!”


— Michelle — Stroud, England

“I bought A Year in my Shetland Garden because it was just too beautiful to pass up.

I love supporting small businesses, and even more so when they are run by amazing women.”


— Leanna — Denver, Colorado

Unwind. Enjoy a slower pace in life.

“In a world where everything seems to be getting faster, A Year In My Shetland Garden is an invitation to slow down. It’s my invitation to you, to enjoy what we have and be more resourceful. 

This collection of nourishing dishes has been inspired by my beloved Shetland garden, other local produce and wild plants. 

These ingredients have been curated to help you feel more gratitude in life — for what nature provides us — and so we can waste less. And share what the natural world provides us in the dining room. Whether that’s with a hearty meal for a cosy night in. Or when creating dishes to mark a celebration with your loved ones.

This cookbook has been a long time coming. I get such a warm feeling with this book in my hands, knowing that it lets the true Shetland shine. After many years of thinking about it, making plans, gathering ideas, researching, growing, experimenting, developing recipes, learning about food photography and styling, it's as much a celebration of the people who helped along the way. And a thank you to the people who warmly welcomed me into the Shetland community.”


— misa hay