Fresh at Farmers Markets

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.

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving can be hectic, with one shopping list after another. Knowing that, vendors at area farmers tailgate markets pledge to help you get through this time with ease—and, of course, lots of local food.
Order dessert this week and check an entire course off your to-do list! Take the Cake! Cupcakes A-Go-Go will have a special holiday menu and ordering form Saturday at Asheville City Market. (Find them select Tuesdays at the West Asheville Tailgate Market, too.) Sweetheart Bakery also plans to offer holiday ordering. Owner Aimee Mostwill will make samples available at her market booths this week/weekend (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Montford Farmers Market) and share her contact information. She’ll accept orders by phone or email.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Soup’s on! Area farmers tailgate markets are bubbling with options for your soup pot this week.
Under the weather? Grab all the ingredients for chicken noodle soup! Markets have lots of onions, garlic, shallots, celery, and carrots now. Look for rainbow colored carrots for extra brightness and color sure to help you feel better. Greens are also abundant. Throw in kale, bok choy, or spinach as vitamin-packed additions. Of course, many vendors offer local chicken. Hominy Valley Farms currently has Poussin, a young, tender French-style bird. Find Hominy Valley at Asheville City Market. And, pick up noodles from pasta vendors selling at Asheville City Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Your pumpkins are carved and ready to light up the night on Halloween, right? That means you deserve to indulge in some pre-made pumpkin treats at area farmers tailgate markets this week—no knives or spoons needed.
At Asheville City Market, try a portable slice of pumpkin bourbon bread from Sweet Life Bakeshop. Or, enjoy pumpkin chocolate chip cake or pumpkin cream cheese coffee cake from Sweetheart Bakery (find Sweetheart at Montford Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market, too).

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Get sweet treats this week at area farmers tailgate markets, and not the kind you think! Sure, there will be Halloween- and fall-inspired cupcakes, pies, and tarts (and even a chance to trick or treat—more later). But the real sweet story is the season’s veggies.
The first freeze, predicted mid-week, will actually make fall favorites like kale, broccoli, parsnips, and carrots sweeter and more flavorful than they’ve been so far! How?

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Fall may be settling in, but some summer veggies—from peppers to beans—can still be found this week at area farmers tailgate markets. There has even been a surge of green tomatoes recently. Unfortunately, the surge actually means winter is nipping at our heels. A hard freeze that will put an end to tomato plants is on its way. So, farmers are bringing any unripe ‘maters to market now. Snap them up while you can; they’ll be gone by the end of the month.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

It’s a veritable pumpkin patch at area farmers tailgate markets now that October is here! Pick pie pumpkins for your favorite recipe. They’re smaller, sweeter, and less grainy than their carving counterparts, making them perfect for, well, pie!
Of course jack-o-lanterns can be “picked,” too. At Asheville City Market, visit Hugh Wright of Arbor Studios. He brings a selection of already carved pumpkins that are truly works of art. What’s more, he carves live at his booth and offers custom designs. He’ll keep his patch packed through Halloween, but his intricate designs should last until well after the spooky day. Vendors also sell Indian corn, colorful squash, and gourds for decoration.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Leaves may be turning red, orange, and yellow now that fall’s here. But leafy veggies are staying vibrant green at area farmers tailgate markets! Look for Swiss chard, head lettuce, and kale.
Kale is most tender and flavorful during the cooler months, and several varieties abound now. Need to make a fast weekday meal? Opt for Red Russian; it’s super tender and only needs a quick sauté. You can even enjoy it raw in a salad. Thinking soup? Curly kale varieties are perfect, as they need a bit more cooking time but pack a ton of flavor.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

No, it’s not your imagination. Local veggies—from beets to squash—are getting bigger at area farmers tailgate markets!
Last week, Blue Meadow Farms offered up Detroit and Chioggia beets the size of large potatoes. While they look like your average beet on the outside, Chioggias are uniquely red and white striped inside. What’s more, the beauties are sweeter than other varieties. Find Blue Meadow at West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market (downtown and South).

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

You could say that the bases are loaded now at area farmers markets. And that the shift is on; the seasonal shift, that is. Summer’s heavy-hitters—tomatoes, eggplants, and more—remain, while fall’s rookies are being called up to play.
This week, McConnell Farms plans to have some of the last of summer’s peaches at Asheville City Market South (Wednesday) and downtown (Saturday). He should still have sweet corn, too. But the cobs are sure to go fast.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

pears

It’s a pearfect week to pick up pears at area farmers markets! Asian pears have been spotted at tailgates around the region. They’re crisp (hence their nickname ‘apple pear’), juicy, and slightly sweet. They’re a tad tart, too, especially near their cores. Look for additional varieties in the coming weeks, and keep your eye out for vendor Fresh Pearspective to join Asheville City Market—and likely more markets—through the end of September. Last year, they offered both Bosch and Seckel pears.

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