It’s beginning to look a lot like summer at area farmers tailgate markets thanks to June’s arrival! This month marks the true start of the local broccoli season, which lasts into July. Markets from Black Mountain Tailgate Market to West Asheville Tailgate Market report vendors are bringing the cruciferous veggie now. B&L Organic (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market) offers broccoli raab or rabe, also called rapini. The veggie’s buds resemble broccoli, but it’s more closely related to the turnip (also available now); use in pastas and stir-fries.
Ten Mile Farm brought the first of their summer squash crop to Asheville City Market (ACM) last weekend—also find Ten Mile at Montford Farmers Market. Their bite-size squash indicate the season is just starting and sure to heat up soon. Be on the lookout for small quantities of summer squash this week and more in the weeks to come. The same goes for snap peas, which Earthlife Farm offered up at ACM this past weekend. Oakley Farmers Market even reports that this Thursday, June 6, Whispersholler Farms will bring peaches!
Greens still abound—from chard to kale to lettuce—along with green garlic and garlic scapes. Look for Three Graces Dairy’s “Scape Goat” goat cheese made with scapes; find Three Graces at Asheville-area markets and Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market.
Strawberry season will soon come to a close, but there’s still a little time left to celebrate and enjoy. Mills River Farmers Market hosts a strawberries and music event with local band the Wootones on Saturday, June 8, from 8 am until noon. Also this Saturday, Jackson County Farmers Market welcomes a bagpipe player from 10 am until noon.
Beyond produce, June is the time you’ll start seeing more honey (it’s Get Local honey month!), which began flowing for beekeepers in May. Keep your eye out for honey vendors joining tailgates with some of their 2012 harvest + their new 2013 harvest of spring varietals like tulip poplar and locust.
Growing Minds at Market children’s activities kickoff at West Asheville Tailgate Market Tuesday, June 4, and continue Saturday at Asheville City Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market. For more information and an ACM schedule, visit growing-minds.org.
To learn more about market events/find a market schedule, visit our farmers market calendar or browse our online Local Food Guide.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
