Each and every week, area farmers tailgate markets have newly in-season vegetables and fruits to boast — there are almost too many to name here! What’s on the roster of just-arrived produce? Corn, okra, celery, and watermelons, to name but a few!
Nothing says summer quite like grilled corn-on-the-cob. Visit Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, and River Arts District Farmers Market) to purchase your first local sweet corn of the year!
Okra is the quintessential Southern veggie. Rich, delicious, and distinct, okra is perfect for oh-so-many applications. Fry, pickle, stew, or roast your okra — no matter the way, it will be wonderful! Aardvark Farm (Asheville City Market, River Arts District Farmers Market, and Yancey County Farmers Market), and Second Spring Market Garden (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market), both have some now, but expect it at many more farms and markets as the weeks progress.
Celery is an especially challenging crop to grow. The seeds are reluctant to germinate, the seedling is finicky to transplant, and it has a low tolerance for both cold and hot temperatures. Despite these potential setbacks, our local farmers still produce celery for our culinary pleasure! Right now, find celery from Paper Crane Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market) and Long Valley Eco-Biotic Farm (Madison County Farmers Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market, and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
This week may be your last chance for wineberries. A variety of raspberry, wineberries are arguably the best of all the berries. The fact that they are only available for a couple of weeks at the beginning of July makes them all the more prized and anticipated. Eagle Rock Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market) and Meadow Cove Farm (Asheville City Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) may still have wineberries this week — get them while you can!
Farms are just beginning to harvest melons for this season. Second Spring Market Garden has the first of their melon crops: Sugar Baby Watermelon and French Cantaloupe. Bon appetit!
Other items at market that are newly arrived and quite exciting, include: red bell peppers, tomatillos, cipollini onions, chicken of the woods mushrooms, and eggplant. Check back in next week for more on these and other market bounties!
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse ASAP’sonlineLocal Food Guide or the online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
