Whether you’re going traditional or unexpected with your Thanksgiving dishes, area farmers tailgate markets have got you covered! Here, we present some ideas for stars, sides, and sweets on both ends of the spectrum.
Stars
Want to stick with tradition but didn’t reserve a local turkey before they sold out? Don’t fret. You can still find turkey cuts, including breasts, from meat vendors. Plus, there are other birds to choose from, like chicken and duck. East Fork Farm (Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market) will have all poultry options leading up to the holiday, along with other meats like lamb.
Speaking of, who says the star of your feast can’t be lamb or rabbit? Look for these unexpected options from many meat vendors, including Dry Ridge Farm (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market).
Sides
Find what you need for staples like stuffing and sweet potato casserole or mashed taters. For stuffing, celery has been spotted from vendors including Ten Mile Farm (Montford Farmers Market, at North Asheville Tailgate Market this Saturday). Look for fennel from folks like Gaining Ground Farm (Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market) along with all manner of other fresh herbs—from oregano to thyme. You might find walnuts from vendors like Jake’s Farm (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market). Jackson County Farmers Market even reports they’ll have stuffing mix! Sweet Monkey Bakery (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market) is also offering stuffing bread, as well as a cranberry, fresh sage, and roasted garlic bread for that day-after turkey sandwich. Sweet potatoes and other tater varieties can easily be found.
For a surprising side, utilize Chioggia beets, which have a beautiful pattern once cut, from vendors including Full Sun Farm (Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market). Or, whip up an amazing stir-fry of farm-fresh veggies including cabbage, which can be found from many vendors now, including Ivy Creek Family Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market).
Carrots, greens from kale to spinach, radishes, some winter squash, onions, garlic, and fresh ginger can also be found.
Sweets
Pick up eggs, apples, and local honey from vendors like Dave’s Raw Honey (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market) for perfect pies and other treats. Thinking cheesecake? Think outside of the box with seasonal local goat cheeses, in flavors like pumpkin and cranberry from Spinning Spider Creamery (Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market) and date cardamom and honey walnut from Three Graces Dairy (North Asheville Tailgate Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market).
And that’s not all! If it’s on your shopping list, you’re likely to find it at your neighborhood market.
Note: All markets listed here are open this week/weekend, with some markets open for last-minute shopping next Tuesday and Wednesday and some additional markets open for special holiday dates (see link below). Many of these vendors also sell at Asheville City Market; it isn’t listed with them here, as the market is closed this Saturday for the downtown holiday parade. It will reopen after Thanksgiving, on Saturday, November 30, 10 am-1 pm.
For a list of market closings and holiday market dates, visit the farmers market section of our main website. 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
