Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

As we pass the Summer Solstice, markets are entering into their peak season and debuting many summer favorites. Despite persisting dry weather for most farms in the region, area farmers tailgate markets are bursting with vibrant veggies and flavorful fruits!
This past week heralded the arrival of cherry tomatoes, a seasonal staple, as well as blackberries. Find cherry tomatoes from Full Sun Farm (River Arts District Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Aardvark Farm (Asheville City Market, Yancey County Farmers Market, and River Arts District Farmers Market). Find the first blackberries from McConnell Farms (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
In addition to the standard summer favorites, these next few months are also a great time to discover unique and perhaps unusual varieties of many fruits and vegetables. Blue Meadow Farms (Black Mountain Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and Asheville City Market) is featuring fava beans and Full Sun Farm is offering Italian flat beans. If purchasing fava beans, remember to shell them before cooking and eating. As for flat beans, they can be sauteed or steamed just like standard green beans.
Ten Mile Farm (River Arts District Farmers Market and Asheville City Market) has a wide variety of cucumbers, including Blonde cucumbers. These heirloom cukes can be eaten raw or, better yet, take advantage of their lightly sweet flavor by turning them into sweet pickles! If you are looking to add some color to your plate, many area farms, including Paper Crane Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market), have a bounty of multi-colored carrots available at their market stands.
Early varieties of some summer and fall favorites have also arrived, including the first apples from McConnell Farms and onions from Full Sun Farm and Aardvark Farm. These goodies will be around from now through the winter, including many different varieties. You will likely see many more farms offering these favorites throughout the next couple of months.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting visiting our online Local Food Guide.