Fall is called the harvest season for good reason. There are so many delicious and hearty produce varieties to be found at area farmers tailgate markets. Some, such as butternut squash, potatoes, and carrots are well-known favorites, but others should not be overlooked.
White sweet potatoes have a distinctly different flavor than that of more common orange varieties. Subtle, floral, and savory, if you haven’t tried them before, now’s the time. Find them from Ten Mile Farm at Asheville City Market.
Large roasting squashes are so incredibly versatile: make savory soups or sweet pies; substitute squash in place of classic potato dishes, such as shepherd’s pie; or mix them into baked goods, like cookies or muffins. There are so many varieties at market to choose from, but some notables are Kabocha Squash — pick some up from Ivy Creek Family Farm (Weaverville Tailgate Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market), and Long Island Cheese Squash — stop by Flying Cloud Farm for these (River Arts District Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, and Asheville City Market).
Common, round cabbage is more widely known and cultivated, but savoy cabbage is available from farms now, and is worth pointing out. Less crunchy, with softer layers, savoy cabbage is perfect for fermenting to make traditional kimchi. It’s also great in stir-fries. Visit Full Sun Farm to grab savoy cabbage at North Asheville Tailgate Market and River Arts District Farmers Market.
Starting to think about your Thanksgiving meal? There are just a few local turkeys still available to pre-order, you can find which farms and retailers still have them in our Find Your Turkey blog post. If you’re feeling bold, perhaps explore alternatives to turkey, such as a pork roast, leg of lamb, or other festive local meat. And, there will be plenty of local produce at markets leading up to the holiday for all of your side dish needs. Many markets host special holiday markets, such as Asheville City Market moving to the Masonic Temple on Broadway the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Ask your market manager or vendors what special markets they might have!
It’s also getting to be the time of year in which some markets close, while others change times or locations. Visit our page, 2016 Tailgate Market Closing, Holiday, & Winter Dates to learn more.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. Find out where farmers tailgate markets are on which days. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting our online Local Food Guide.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
