You can take a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway or take a trip to your neighborhood tailgate to see the colors of fall. That’s right, all the hues of leaf season are reflected in the offerings at WNC’s farmers markets now!
Apples in greens and reds abound, including varieties that might be new to you. Recently, Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, Montford Farmers Market) has been offering Pinova apples, a cross between a Golden Delicious, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and Duchess of Oldenburg. It’s a crisp variety that tastes both sweet and tart.
Look for bright, nearly-neon bunches of golden-orange and red beets from vendors including Ten Mile Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market). And, keep your eyes peeled for the variety Chioggia. While it looks like your average red beet on the outside, once sliced, it’s striped with white and bright pink-red on the inside.
New big and bold varieties of winter squash can be found. Giant orange and orange-green North Carolina Candy Roasters are recent arrivals from Firefly Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market, Yancey County Farmers Market). Beautiful Blue Hubbard squashes have been spotted from vendors like Whispersholler Farms (Oakley Farmers Market, Yancey County Farmers Market). And, yellow, orange, and green-speckled Carnival squash dot many market vendors’ tables.
As the name rainbow chard implies, you can find chard with stalks in all shades these days. The same goes for bunches of rainbow carrots in beautiful hues of yellow, orange, and red.
Another way to enjoy the striking colors of the season? Fall bouquets. Look for gorgeous selections of cut flowers from vendors like Fisher Branch Farm at Asheville City Market. And, pick up pumpkins for carving and decorating (as well as eating!), along with other seasonal display items like dried, decorative corn.
Mark your calendars now for North Asheville Tailgate Market’s Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 26. The market is open 8 am until noon.
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
