Things are getting berry exciting at area farmers tailgate markets this week! The first blueberries, raspberries, and Goumi berries have all been reported. And, if you’re lucky, there may be one last opportunity for strawberries this season.
B&L Organic (North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market) and Whispersholler Farms (Oakley Farmers Market) both have blueberries. Find the first black raspberries from Meadow Cove Farm (Asheville City Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market), and the first red raspberries from Wright-Way Nursery at Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market. And, Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) have Goumi berries, which have a similar taste to rhubarb, and make great pies and jams.
Some other very exciting and notable items this week are romanesco (a brassica vegetable similar to cauliflower and broccoli but with mesmerizing exterior fractals) and cheese made with garlic scapes. Paper Crane Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market) has the beautiful and enchanting romanesco for the first time this season. And Three Graces Dairy (North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and Asheville City Market) now have their “Scape Goat Cheese” available for sale.
Farmers haven’t skipped a beet this week, and neither should you! Beets and other root veggies are taking over the markets these days, and will stick around through summer and fall. Many produce farmers have beets and other root veggies now, including Ivy Creek Family Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and Weaverville Tailgate Market) which has red and golden, as well as Chioggia beets.
Herbs are wonderful for both cooking and healing. Find dill and lavender from Becki’s Bounty at the East Asheville Tailgate Market. You can also try fennel, parsley, cilantro, and mint from Long Valley Eco-Biotic Farm at Madison County Farmers Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and Weaverville Tailgate Market.
Produce farmers now have more varieties and larger quantities of items than they have had so far this season. If you wake up late on Saturday morning, or stay too late at the office before a weekday market and you think to yourself, “I shouldn’t go to market, there will be nothing left,” think again! You can get so many things now, including: tomatoes, garlic scapes, zucchini, yellow summer squash, sugar snap peas, onions, spring garlic, patty pan squash, cucumbers, leeks, greens of all kinds, carrots, turnips, radishes, kohlrabi, cherries, peaches, broccoli, cauliflower, and more!
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
