Thanks to the mild winter, summer came early this year. So it’s no surprise that markets are already beginning to look a lot like they do in the fall—even though it’s officially still one month away.
One tell-tale sign? Winter squash, which began arriving in relatively large quantities this past weekend. Flying Cloud Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market) offered up many different types: delicata, spaghetti and kobucha. They expect to harvest butternuts soon and say even more varieties will be available before you know it. Varieties of acorn squash have also been spotted from vendors including Aardvark Farm (Asheville City Market, Yancey County Farmers Market).
Asheville City Market South
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
If melons make your mouth water, you’ll want to get to your neighborhood farmers tailgate market this week! Watermelons have been spotted from vendors like Ten Mile Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market), and more should be on their way in the next few weeks. Catch cantaloupes now, too, from vendors like Blue Ribbon Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Corn is finally making an appearance at area farmers tailgate markets, although a little later than normal. According to Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market), recent dry conditions are to blame. Despite the weather, their booth—along with those of vendors like McConnell Farms (Asheville City Market downtown and South, North Asheville Tailgate Market)—will give you an earful now!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week (Recipe Included!)
Peppers—hot and not—are popping up at farmers tailgate markets across WNC! From sweet bells to spicy jalapenos, you can find many types and varieties now. Keep your eyes open for unexpected colors, too. Purple bell peppers were spotted from several vendors last week, including Blue Ribbon Farm (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market) and Paper Crane Farm (Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Berries remain bountiful at area farmers tailgate markets this week. McConnell Farms’ tables promise to again overflow with quarts of big, bold blackberries at Asheville City Market South, Asheville City Market, and North Asheville Tailgate Market. Also expect raspberries, nectarines, and peaches at markets around the region. There is another fruit that’s begun to steal the show from berries, though: the tomato!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
A trip to your neighborhood farmers tailgate market this week is sure to be fruitful—fruits from berries to nectarines are ripe for the picking!
Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market) is back at markets after bringing their apples last fall. Now, they’ve got nectarines. They expect peaches in the coming weeks.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Area farmers tailgate markets offer a chance to truly taste the rainbow this week.
Cauliflower can be found in three shades now; but, it may be the last week for these colorful cruciferous veggies, so snag them up! Look for traditional white from a variety of vendors. Find purple cauliflower from Paper Crane Farm (Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market), and look for Cheddar cauliflower, which is, of course, yellow, from Cane Creek Organics (Asheville City Market and Asheville City Market South, Flat Rock Tailgate Market).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Not ready to say ‘so long’ to spring produce? Then head out to area farmers tailgate markets this week and stock up before summer officially arrives!
Garlic scapes will begin waning with heat on our heels. Luckily, the flower stem of the garlic plant can easily be preserved to enjoy throughout the year. Scapes pickle well and make a great pesto, which can be frozen. If going that route, also pick up basil for a batch. The herb is available from many vendors now; Fisher Branch Farm (Asheville City Market) even has three kinds of basil starts if you want to plant yourself.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
The new kids on the block at area farmers tailgate markets now are far from wallflowers! A brand new tailgate has started out strong, new produce offerings can’t be missed, and new vendors are joining in and attracting crowds.
Last week, the newly formed Oakley Farmers Market hosted their soft opening; they will celebrate their official grand opening this Thursday with live music, baby goats, and a children’s activity. Vendor Gladheart Farm (also at East Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market South) offered up some of the very first zucchinis and cucumbers of the season from their high tunnels. Fiddlesticks Farm, in their first year and also vending at the East Asheville Tailgate Market, caught shoppers’ eyes with their not-often-seen French radish; the variety is GIANT for a radish—reaching almost softball size—and very spicy.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Strawberries and rhubarb go together like peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, salt and pepper…you get the idea! Luckily, both members of the dynamic duo are available at area farmers tailgate markets now—fresh from farmers and already baked into classic pies and crisps thanks to bakery vendors.
The veggie (even though it tastes sweet-tart like fruit, it’s a vegetable!) has been spotted from several vendors, including McConnell Farms (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Jake’s Farm (Asheville City Market, French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market). Like strawberries, rhubarb can be frozen for a taste of spring come fall or winter; just blanch it first.