This weekend marks the official start of summer—and it happens to land right alongside Father’s Day weekend. That combination calls for simple food, fresh early-summer ingredients, and recipes that feel special without being too complicated or heating up the house too much.
Make something the father figure in your life is bound to enjoy! Of course there is the option to grill out, but if you want to take the reins and prepare something delicious that the kids can help out with, make the father figure in your life a seasonal grilled sandwich.
A market-inspired BLT is a sure way to capture the start of the summer season and you can find nearly all the ingredients at market. Cook your bacon, toast your bread, slice your tomatoes, smear some mayo, and layer your lettuce for the freshest BLT around! Pick up some freshly baked bread from a local baker–there are so many options to choose from! Find whole wheat sandwich sourdough from Hominy Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets), a classic white sandwich loaf from Four Sisters Bakery (Asheville City, Black Mountain, and Leicester markets), or a high-rise sourdough focaccia and more from High Top Bread Co. (Asheville City, North Asheville, Weaverville, and East Asheville markets). Get your local bacon from Dry Ridge Farm (Asheville City, North Asheville, West Asheville and River Arts district markets), Hickory Nut Gap (North Asheville Tailgate Market), or Dillingham Family Farm (Weaverville Tailgate Market). More farms will have slicing tomatoes soon, but for now pick up your tomatoes from Smallholding Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market) Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville and West Asheville markets), and Wild East Farm (Black Mountain and River Arts District markets). A variety of greens, including buttercrunch lettuce, can be found at nearly all Buncombe farmers markets right now.
What about a leveled up grilled cheese? If the father figure in your life likes to experiment and try new things, explore one of these unconventional grilled cheese sandwiches. For the first variation, add pesto, fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and some fresh basil before placing it in the skillet or on the griddle. Go the sweet and savory route with a spread of local berry jam, a handful of blackberries, brie or goat cheese, caramelized onions, and a drizzle of (hot) honey. Find raspberries and blackberries from McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Bear Necessities Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market). Lastly, put a southern spin on your grilled cheese with pimento cheese, sliced green tomatoes, sliced ham, pickles, and a dash of hot sauce. Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery (Black Mountain and North Asheville markets) has your cow cheese needs covered with fresh mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar. Get your soft goat cheeses from Round Mountain Creamery (East Asheville and Black Mountain markets), and Spinning Spider Creamery (North Asheville and River Arts District markets). Need a dairy alternative? Try out the vegan brie from While Squirrel Kitchens (River Arts District Farmers Market) or vegan pimento from Dare Vegan Cheese (North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Also spotted at markets in recent weeks: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, fennel, garlic scapes, green garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, greens, zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, and much more. Markets offer an abundance of farm-fresh eggs and meats, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. You can also get bread, cheese, pastries, fermented products, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.