As daylight hours wane and the calendar year wraps up, many farmers in Western North Carolina let their fields begin to rest. This sacred time of year is filled with breaks from school, gathering loved ones together to share dishes passed down through the generations, taking a much needed rest (especially for farmers), and surviving … Read more
As we inch closer to the holidays and the official start of the winter season, we are drawn to gather around hearths and heartwarming stories, crafts and bright candles, music and mulled beverages, and, of course, nourishing meals. Whether you’re the one hosting a gathering or attending someone else’s holiday festivities, there are plenty of … Read more
This year’s holiday season may feel different for many in our region. While our landscapes have changed forever, we have learned that we can rebuild, we can rely on one another, and we can survive alongside each other, even if we are very different. Traditionally, Thanksgiving has been about abundance, gratitude, and the harvest season. … Read more
Have these weird times without clean running water gotten your tummy upset? Or, do the upcoming stressors of the holidays have your stomach in a bunch? Prepare yourself for the holiday meals season with light and easy-to-eat foods you can have at the ready in case you (or your kids) find yourself feeling under the … Read more
As we move further into the fall season, one like any other we have experienced, apples reach their prime for picking. Apples in autumn just make sense – the earthy red, orange, yellow, green, gold and brown colors of all their different varieties reflected in the changing leaves paired with quintessential fall flavors. Apples can … Read more
While this time of year is usually brimming with late season crops, warm fall-inspired soups shared with friends and family, and farmers market filled charcuterie excursions on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we are grappling with a very different reality for ourselves, our communities, and especially in our kitchens. Nearly everyone in this area has been … Read more
Photo in honor of the River Art’s District Farmers Market lost to the flooding of the French Broad River during Hurricane Helene. As we slowly regain connection and emerge from devastation, heartbreak, and the weaving of our communities and homes back together, one thing is still certain – farmers markets have been and always will … Read more
It’s officially pear season in North Carolina! Asian pears are coming in at farmers markets, so be sure to grab some while they’re here. Their sweet, refreshing flavor and crisp texture make for the perfect late-summer snack. Unlike other common pears like barletts, Asian pears should be firm to the touch and crunchy like a … Read more
As the start of the school year approaches and it begins to feel more and more like late summer, preserving the flavors of peak summer is prime for the picking — or the pickling! There are many ways to preserve the bounty of produce from Buncombe County farmers tailgate markets including pickling, fermenting, freezing, canning, … Read more
With abundant tables of produce at tailgate markets, pair those summer meals with fresh herbs and take a dish to the next level. Not only do herbs bring bursts of flavor, but depth and aroma to brighten your senses. Of course, dry herbs can work too if you’re in a pinch, but with a plethora … Read more