If you’re the type to serve your sweetheart a locally sourced Valentine’s Day meal, take note that you’ll need to stop at a farmers tailgate market tomorrow or Wednesday to collect ingredients in time for Feb. 14. Pretty much any meal you shop for and prepare yourself hits the mark for a romantic gesture, but we’ve included a few suggestions to really get into the spirit.
apples
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Are you a handmade gift-giver? Farmers tailgate markets are a great place to get inspiration and ingredients for these extra-special holiday gifts (or treats to keep for yourself—you definitely deserve it). Here are a few DIY ideas to get your started this season.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
An all-local Thanksgiving dinner is a lofty goal, but probably impractical (and could add some additional stress to the holiday for sure). Some traditional ingredients, like green beans or corn, have passed their peak harvest season here in Western North Carolina, so if you didn’t freeze some back in September, you might be out of luck now. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find local cranberries or pecans. But there are ways to feature something local in each dish, if you’re up for the challenge!
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Each year ASAP staff share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. This recipe comes from Molly Nicholie, Local Food Campaign Director (who got it from Charlie Jackson, Executive Director).
Grandma Lungstrom’s Apple Pie
Each year ASAP staff share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. The classic apple pie recipe comes from Amy Marion in ASAP’s Local Food Research Center.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of apple varieties on offer at farmers tailgate markets each autumn. Some are better for baking, some for snacking. Maybe you prefer a sweeter apple or something more tart. Maybe you know you’ve tasted the perfect apple before, but you can’t remember what it was called. How do you choose? Well, apart from asking the farmer’s advice (which is always a good first step), you might consider throwing together an apple taste test.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Your favorite peak summer produce—tomatoes, corn, peppers, melons, peaches, blackberries, beans, okra, eggplant—is still filling the tables at farmers tailgate markets. We have a month or two more to enjoy these items. But there are hints of seasonal change in the air.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Though summer fruits may be the most varied and abundant, autumn fruits are wonderfully crisp, and bursting with flavor!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
The weather this year has not been kind to fruit. Late frosts in spring, hailstorms, and weeks of temporary drought followed by daily thunderstorms have left fruit altered in some cases, and limited their availability in others.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
As we pass the Summer Solstice, markets are entering into their peak season and debuting many summer favorites. Despite persisting dry weather for most farms in the region, area farmers tailgate markets are bursting with vibrant veggies and flavorful fruits!