Start your shopping list and get meal inspiration each week with ASAP’s roundup of what’s fresh at farmers markets. Although this report focuses on vendors at Buncombe County markets, many products mentioned can be found at markets throughout the region. Want to get this report in your inbox each week? Subscribe to ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report newsletter. Looking for a yearlong view? Check out ASAP’s produce seasonality chart.
It’s officially pear season in North Carolina! Asian pears were in abundance at farmers markets this week, so be sure to grab some while they’re still around. Their sweet, refreshing flavor and crisp texture make for the perfect late-summer snack. You can find Asian pears from McConnell Farms (North and West Asheville markets), Bright Branch … Read more
Labor Day is coming up, and one of the best ways to relax during the long weekend is to grab everything you need at the farmers market to make a few easy meals! Try throwing together a simple tomato salad to share with friends and family, or grilling out in the evenings with the plethora … Read more
Winter may seem far away, but winter squash varieties are already at farmers markets! While our favorite summer squashes—such as zucchini, green-and-yellow zephyr and pattypan are still in abundance, we’ve spotted winter squash varieties like delicata, acorn, kabocha, and spaghetti squash at markets in the past few weeks! Don’t let the hard outer shell of … Read more
Melons have finally made their way to market! While watermelon and cantaloupe are typically enjoyed by themselves, you can do a lot more with them than you think. There are plenty of creative ways to incorporate them into your cooking this summer, including in salads, soups, or even thrown on the grill! Look for both … Read more
Shelling beans are hard to come by at local farmers markets, but we’ve spotted a few options in the past few weeks. Ten Mile Farm has had crowder peas, a purple-hulled shelling bean, at Asheville City Market and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Flying Cloud Farm has edamame, another favorite shelling bean, at North Asheville and … Read more
We’re already halfway through summer, which means our favorite fall produce is getting closer than we think! As August arrives, we’re starting to see some of the season’s early apples make their way into farmers markets. In addition to a few delicious apple varieties, the cornucopia of summer fruits at markets right now includes peaches, … Read more
Okra is a favorite among southerners and, when cooked right, is quick to win over those who are not as familiar with the vegetable! Whether you fry, grill, roast, or pickle it, the wide variety of uses and unique taste of okra makes it the perfect main dish or side to any meal this summer. … Read more
Markets are heating up this week with plenty of new pepper varieties to spice up your cooking! This pepper cornucopia includes shishito, jalapeño, Anaheim, poblano, bell, and sweet peppers. Look for peppers from Sleight Family Farm (West, North, and Asheville City markets), Thatchmore Farm (West and North Asheville markets), Ten Mile Farm (Asheville City Market), … Read more
Farmers markets are becoming more and more colorful each week! This week, plums made their way to market, as well as the very first harvests of corn and peppers. Find plums from Smallholding Farm at East Asheville Tailgate Market, as well as Creasman Farms, which is selling at West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City … Read more
There’s so much new summer produce flooding farmers markets this week, we can hardly keep up! The latest summer delicacy is eggplants! With several farms selling different varieties of the versatile plant, the opportunities for cooking in the weeks to come are endless. Look for an assortment of globe, Asian and fairy tale eggplant varieties … Read more