This weekend is your last chance to find a local jack-o-lantern or other decorative squash for Halloween next week! Farmers tailgate markets have plenty of pumpkins, as well as other festive winter squash varieties like kabocha, butternut, acorn and jester squash to adorn your home with spooky decor for the holiday. You can find winter squash from vendors like Sleight Family Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Olivette Farm (Asheville City and East Asheville market), Full Sun Farm, Flying Cloud Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets), and more!
In addition to ornamental holiday veggies, look out for fresh ginger at markets this week! This beloved warming spice is celebrated for its wonderful culinary uses, and medicinal qualities as well! You can find fresh ginger for these recipes from Gaining Ground Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Lee’s One Fortune Farm (Asheville City, Black Mountain, East Asheville, West Asheville, and River Arts District markets).
While there are endless ways to use fresh ginger root in recipes, this simple ginger tea is perfect to help warm up on chillier evenings, help fight off a cold, soothe an upset stomach, or just to enjoy the delicious flavor! To make, heat one cup of water in a saucepan over high heat, then add one inch of roughly chopped ginger. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes (the longer you boil, the stronger the ginger flavor will be!). After your tea is done cooking, pour the mixture through a mesh sieve straight into a mug and enjoy! You can add fresh turmeric, cinnamon sticks, or mint leaves to your tea while simmering for some extra flavor as well.
Fresh ginger cookies are another delicious way to put your ginger to good use! Start by combining two and a quarter cups of flour, one teaspoon of baking soda, and half a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Beat one cup of sugar, three fourths cups of butter, and two tablespoons of grated ginger together until light and fluffy, then beat in a quarter cup of molasses and one egg. Fold in the dry ingredients, then let the dough chill for an hour. Roll the chilled dough into one and a half inch balls, roll in a bit of sugar, then place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, let cool, and enjoy this sweet, gingery snack!
At farmers markets now you’ll also find apples, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plants, meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.