Romaine calm, there’s plenty of lettuce to go around at farmers tailgate markets this week! Bagged mixes and full heads of all types can be found now, including varieties with interesting names and looks: Try New Red Fire lettuce—with dark red ruffled leaves—from vendors including Gladheart Farm (Asheville City Market South, East Asheville Tailgate Market, Oakley Farmers Market). Or, opt for Freckles—an heirloom bright green lettuce with crimson red splashes—from vendors including Adelbert Farm (Oakley Farmers Market).
What’s more, lettuce is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to salad options. Spinach and frisee have been spotted from Gaining Ground Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market). Keep your eyes out for small quantities of arugula (more to come soon). And greens from kale to chard are coming back in abundance. For toppings, pick up carrots, kohlrabi, and radishes, which all love the cooler weather. Speaking of carrots, also keep your eyes peeled for the Bulgarian Carrot Pepper from new Oakley Farmers Market vendor Lettuce Bee Farm. A dead ringer for the root veggie, the pepper packs a spicy punch with a hint of citrus.
Fall also means lambing season, and vendors like Dry Ridge Farm (Asheville City Market South, French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market) report that the next few months provide great opportunities to purchase lamb. A quick search for lamb producers in our online Local Food Guide turns up many selling at markets across WNC.
And, fall means paw paws. Full Circle Family Farm has got the uncommon seasonal fruit now at Black Mountain Tailgate Market, but not for long. Get your paws on paw paws when you see them. Of course, other fall fruits like apples remain. October is apple month in our Get Local initiative, so expect even more varieties to choose from at tailgates plus sweet and savory specials at Appalachian Grown partner restaurants.
Saturday, October 5, pick up raffle tickets at the Jackson County Farmers Market for your chance to win a big basket of market goodies, including a CSA box of veggies, soaps, herbal remedies, and more.
To learn about market events/find a market schedule, visit our farmers market calendar or browse our online Local Food Guide.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
