We’re using all parts of the sweet potato plant at area farmers tailgate markets! Though the greens from sweet potato plants aren’t as widely eaten as say spinach or kale, these greens are rich in nutrients and flavor! John from Highgate Farm is always excited to explain how best to prepare sweet potato greens. Find Highgate Farm’s greens at Weaverville Tailgate Market and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. If you’re looking for the root instead of the leaves, more and more farmers have sweet potatoes to offer, including some very large sweet potatoes from Paper Crane Farm (Asheville City Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Looking for a sweet, early fall treat? When shopping at market, it can be delightful to snack on something prepared. Next time you’re at North Asheville Tailgate Market, stop by Mountain Harvest Organics for some of their freshly roasted peppers!
An aesthetically and historically exciting find at market this week is blue and white swirled cornbread from Farm & Sparrow (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market and River Arts District Farmers Market). The white corn is a variety called PJ’s White Corn from PJ’s farm in North Georgia. This variety had been growing on this one farm in Georgia for decades, and this past year was the last harvest on the land. Now, Gaining Ground Farm is growing it, and will harvest it in the coming weeks. Try the colorful Farm & Sparrow bread to add whimsy, history, and nourishment to your dinner table!
Another fun market discovery? Try black radishes courtesy of Aardvark Farm (Asheville City Market and Yancey County Farmers Market). These root veggies are uniquely and robustly flavored and sure to make your salad more dynamic. Also at Aardvark Farm, pick up some broccoli. We’ll start to see more broccoli, cauliflower, and other brassicas from multiple vendors.
Now is a great time to plant shrubs and trees, such as berries and other fruit. Get a start on next year by planting trees now. Pick up plants from High Country Nursery at Oakley Farmers Market, Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market, and Asheville City Market – South.
The expected first frost date is only a couple weeks away, so be sure to pick up your last taste of summer now, while there are still tomatoes, summer squash, okra, eggplant, peppers and sweet corn. Only a few chances more for these summer favorites!
As the days get shorter, so will the list of area farmers tailgate markets that are still open. This week was East Asheville Tailgate Market’s last week. Be sure to visit Oakley Farmers Market before it closes for the season on October 16.
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse our online Local Food Guide or online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
