Thanksgiving is the ultimate meat (or meat-alternative!) and potatoes meal, and who says spuds can’t be the star? Area farmers tailgate markets have the varieties you need to make the quintessential side stand out—whether you plan to mash, roast, or bake.
Look for fingerling potatoes, including the chef-favorite Russian Banana. These yellow banana-shaped ‘taters are known for their firm texture that holds up well to boiling, baking, and beyond. Also look for Green Mountain potatoes, spotted recently from Full Sun Farm at Montford Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market. Green Mountain was once the country’s most-popular baking potato, before the Russet took over the top spot. While only a few farmers grow the variety now, Full Sun promises that its unique buttery flavor is still the same.
Of course, you can find sweet potatoes, too. Markets are still offering broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, greens, rutabagas, turnips, and more for your meal. You may even be able to snag a few greenhouse-grown bell peppers.
If you’re hoping for a stand-out sweet, consider continuing a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition: persimmon pudding. History shares that families would harvest native persimmons from their property. But, you can just head down to North Asheville Tailgate Market to find them! Recipes for the custard-like treat abound online.
Black Mountain Tailgate Market will host their special holiday market this Saturday, November 19, to offer foods and treats for your Thanksgiving feast, as well as handcrafted items for holiday gift giving. The special market runs 10 am until 1 pm and will be held this year at White Horse Black Mountain.
Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market begins their holiday market season this weekend, also on the 19th. Markets will run every Saturday through December 17 at Fiddlestix in Mars Hill and feature meats, cheese, vegetables, honey, baked goods, candies, jewelry, candles, quilts, and more.
There are only two Saturdays left to shop the North Asheville Tailgate Market (many vendors will participate in the Holiday Bazaar at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce in December). Asheville City Market will close this Saturday for the 65th Asheville Holiday Parade; the market resumes on the 26th. Find a (just-updated!) list of holiday market locations, times, and more HERE.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
