Romaine calm, there’s plenty of lettuce to go around at farmers tailgate markets this week! Bagged mixes and full heads of all types can be found now, including varieties with interesting names and looks: Try New Red Fire lettuce—with dark red ruffled leaves—from vendors including Gladheart Farm (Asheville City Market South, East Asheville Tailgate Market, Oakley Farmers Market). Or, opt for Freckles—an heirloom bright green lettuce with crimson red splashes—from vendors including Adelbert Farm (Oakley Farmers Market).
greens
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
What’s fresh at area farmers tailgates now? Almost too much to fit into one report! After a wet season that impacted crops and even kept some farmers from markets, things are starting to turn around. Farmers are back with fall crops, and there’s an amazing variety of both summer and fall produce available.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer at area farmers tailgate markets thanks to June’s arrival! This month marks the true start of the local broccoli season, which lasts into July. Markets from Black Mountain Tailgate Market to West Asheville Tailgate Market report vendors are bringing the cruciferous veggie now. B&L Organic (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market) offers broccoli raab or rabe, also called rapini. The veggie’s buds resemble broccoli, but it’s more closely related to the turnip (also available now); use in pastas and stir-fries.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Craving cool, crisp salads now that the mercury is rising? Area farmers tailgate markets are veritable salad bars these days. At Asheville City Market last weekend, produce vendors’ booths were lined with lettuce of all varieties. Oakley Farmers Market’s produce vendors report they’re bringing red leaf and romaine lettuces this week.
*Recipe Added!* Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Strawberries sold in a snap last week, but don’t worry if you didn’t go home with any. Berries are back again at area farmers tailgate markets! What’s more, they’re super sweet now. With the drenching rains mostly behind us, the sun has gone to work bringing out the berries’ sugars. Speaking of sweet, Mackey Farms (Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market) offered up strawberry ice cream last week, so be on the lookout.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Noticing that markets don’t look the same as they did this time last May? It’s true. Warm weather accelerated the harvest last year, while a cooler spring and recent heavy rains are delaying things a bit now. But rest assured, more produce is coming—more options and larger quantities!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Their hue has been called “passionate scarlet” by one famous food writer. Yep, we’re talking about radishes! Bold beauties have already been spotted from vendors like New Moon Herbs Farm and Earthlife Farm at Asheville City Market Downtown.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Get your greens at area farmers tailgate markets now! Tailgates from Asheville City Market (ACM) to Jackson County Farmers Market, Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market to Weaverville Tailgate Market, and French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market (FBFC) to West Asheville Tailgate Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market have opened outdoors for the season with all kinds of leafy greens. We’re talking arugula, chard, herbs (like cilantro and oregano), kale, lettuces, mustard greens, pak choi, and spinach.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
This week is a winter wind down and spring start up!
Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown hosts its last indoor winter market this Saturday, March 30 (10 am-1 pm). Expect the same goodness of the past several months—greens, cheeses, fresh-baked breads, and more. Also expect something new: the first fresh chickens of the season from Hominy Valley Farms!
