Area farmers tailgate markets sure looked like fall on the first official day of the new season thanks to displays of Indian corn, pumpkins, and, of course, apples.
Henderson County Tailgate Market
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
Crazy about cukes? Then you’ll want to rush out to your neighborhood farmers tailgate market this week. Vendors tables are covered in captivating cucumbers—from slicers to pickling varieties in every shade of green, even white.
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
And they’re off—area outdoor tailgate markets, that is—to a great start (pun intended)! Leicester Farmers Market, the first outdoor market to open this spring, overflowed with beautiful plant starts last weekend. In fact, Finally Farm had almost five tables of starts. Vendors will have lots more this Friday (4-7 pm) and Saturday (9 am-2 pm); the market will continue now two days a week.
Hoping to start a culinary herb garden? Visit vendors like Blue Heron Farm for thyme, parsley, lemon verbena, rosemary, and more. Thinking about planting veggies? Find starts for heirloom tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans from vendors like Synchronicity Farms. Garden-friendly flowers like marigolds will also be available.