It’s the pearfect week to pick up pears at area farmers tailgate markets! While Asian pears—which taste like crisp, juicy apples—have been around for a bit, additional varieties are starting to arrive. Familiar Bartlett pears have been spotted at West Asheville Tailgate Market, and perhaps less-familiar Seckel pears have been spotted at North Asheville Tailgate Market.
Seckels are said to be the sweetest pears and, thus, are often called sugar pears. Expect pears to stick around for a couple more weeks, along with other fall fruits like grapes and figs. Apples will hang around markets likely into the winter.
It’s also—as social media memes have been joking—time for pumpkins, rather “pumpkin spice everything!” In addition to fresh pumpkins from produce vendors, visit baked goods vendors and even pasta makers for that quintessential taste of fall. The Baker’s Box at Mills River Farmers Market offers pumpkin spice and pumpkin homemade fettuccine now.
Another sign of the season: sweet potatoes. The fall favorite has been spotted from farms including Flying Cloud Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Green Toe Ground Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Get Local Mushroom Month continues to mean a fun fungi selection at tailgates. French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market reports its vendors have got lots of mushrooms to offer these days. Recently, Asheville Fungi has brought seldom-seen mushroom varieties, including cauliflower and chaga, to West Asheville Tailgate Market.
Want to hang onto summer a bit longer? Tomatoes can still be found. In fact, Holly Spring Farm and Nursery (Mills River Farmers Market, Flat Rock Tailgate Market) reports that the sun and drier weather has favored the flavor of their maters, and that they have plenty to offer up for your enjoyment.
Both Montford Farmers Market and Oakley Farmers Market are celebrating autumn’s arrival. Montford Farmers Market holds their Autumn Feast on October 2, hosted by All Souls Pizza. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the market from Ten Mile Farm or online at marketautumnfeast.eventbrite.com. Oakley Farmers Market’s Harvest Festival takes place October 3 and will feature a home cooked dinner with local produce and meat from vendors, raffle prizes, pumpkin carving, a scavenger hunt, fresh-pressed apple cider, live music, and more. Get all the details at oakleyfarmersmarket.com.
To learn 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
