Fall’s peak color show is near: red, yellow, orange, and…green. That’s right, area farmers tailgate markets are keeping—and will keep—green around even as the leaves turn!
Asheville City Market
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Guest market report by Alex Alesi, fall communications intern; go Alex!
Lower temperatures make fall crops feel right on time at area farmers tailgate markets. Root vegetables will abound this week. Keep reading to see what we mean!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Potatoes are sure to be plentiful at area farmers tailgate markets this week. After all, it is officially Get Local potato month! But we’re not talking about the average russet…
Fresh at Farmers Market This Week
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).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Expect a bean bounty at area farmers tailgate markets. For example, nearly every produce vendor at French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market reports they’ll offer them this week. And let us spill the beans: many farmers are offering the veggie in bulk now, as they’re doing with tomatoes, so you can put them up for the winter when they can’t be found locally. Not sure if your farmer is offering a bulk deal? Just ask!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
If a product is on your shopping list, area farmers tailgate markets are almost guaranteed to have it this week! Vendors’ tables are literally overflowing with fruits and veggies of all kinds, even the more exotic.
At Asheville City Market, Dancing Doe Farm offers eggplants “from around the world” (pictured above). For a taste of Turkey, try their Turkish Orange eggplants, which look almost identical to heirloom tomatoes. Travel to Malaysia with their Malaysian Red eggplants, which are actually a beautiful shade of violet. From Thailand, they offer the veggie in surprising green.
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 + Contest (Deadline Extended)!
It’s officially okra time at area farmers tailgate markets! The Southern summer staple has come out swinging in gorgeous greens and reds; it will stick around through the end of the season and likely into early fall.
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).