The broccoli buzz is back at area farmers tailgate markets! Just like this spring, over the weekend shoppers could be heard sharing where they snagged their stalks and be seen scurrying to vendors’ booths hoping to buy some before it sold out.
At Asheville City Market, Paper Crane Farm, Jake’s Farm, Flying Cloud Farm, and Ten Mile Farm all had some form of the vegetable: either broccoli or broccolini, which has smaller florets and longer, thinner stalks. (Also find these vendors at West Asheville Tailgate Market, French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market and Montford Farmers Market, respectively.) At North Asheville Tailgate Market, folks flocked to Flying Cloud’s other Saturday booth; by mid-market, their broccoli was long gone. Expect more this week from additional vendors, including Leaning Willow Farm (FBFC Wednesday Co-op Tailgate Market, Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market). But do get there early to ensure the veggie makes it into your market basket.
Also get to markets early if you want raspberries. That’s right, raspberries! Blue Meadow Farms (Asheville City Market downtown and South, West Asheville Tailgate Market) offers a late fruiting variety now that they’re growing in a high tunnel. The berries have been—ahem—berry popular, selling out by 10 am. As markets continue later in the season, expect many of the veggies you find to have been grown using methods of season extension, like high tunnels, row cover, and heated greenhouses.
Of course, markets are still full of fall produce. Cabbage is abundant, along with lettuce and kale. And root veggies are rampant—from beets to sweet potatoes to kohlrabi. Try kohlrabi raw and sliced thinly alongside local apples in a cold salad or slaw. Or, roast it with other roots!
Thursday is Oakley Farmers Market’s final tailgate of the season. To celebrate, they’re throwing a Harvest Festival 3:30-6:30 pm. An autumn supper prepared with the products of market vendors will be available by donation; details at oakleyfarmersmarket.com.
Saturday is the final regular-season market for the Jackson County Farmers Market. There will be a kids hat making activity starting at 10 am, with a hat parade following at 11:30 am. The market moves indoors to the Community Table on Central Street beginning November 3. Not all vendors will move indoors, but the market promises a variety of veggies, meats, eggs, and crafts. Saturday is also the final regular season market for Mills River Farmers Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market and Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, all of which will offer special holiday events.
Learn about more closing and holiday/winter market dates with our online farmers market calendar (regularly being updated) on fromhere.org.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
