It’s like spring in the winter! Not necessarily for temperatures, but certainly if you’re shopping at winter farmers tailgate markets. Lettuce, kale, turnips, winter squash, and Daikon radishes were all spotted at markets this weekend. In addition, you could also find market staples such as local meat, cheeses, potatoes, eggs, sweet potatoes, and more!
lettuce
Fresh at (Winter) Markets This Week
Winter farmers tailgate markets are heating up! This Saturday marks the second Woodfin YMCA Indoor Winter Tailgate Market (10 am-12:30 pm). The first market was a big success. New Moon Herbs Farm’s produce included sweet potatoes, kale, and lettuce. Ivy Creek Family Farm had turnips, mushrooms, arugula, and more. Cheese vendors like Three Graces Dairy and Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery offered up their specialties. There were apples, ginger, greens, carrots, sprouts/microgreens, meats, crafts, cheese, and baked goods.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
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).
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.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
The bad news: It’s the end of the short ramps season—grab ’em if you see ’em. The good news: The spring harvest is just heating up, and ramps are pretty much the only produce you’ll have to say goodbye to for a while at area farmers tailgate markets! This week, say hello to all manner of fruits and veggies: lettuce, spinach, strawberries, and the list goes on.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Look for lettuces this weekend at area winter farmers markets! Jake’s Farm hopes to bring the crunchy salad necessity with them Saturday to Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown and the Neighborhood Y at Woodfin Winter Tailgate Market. They also expect to bring bok choy, and they’ve even begun talking broccoli, which should be available in the coming weeks. Kay Farm offered up lotsa lettuce last Saturday at ACM, so get it again this weekend while the getting’s good.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
More veggies and vendors are keeping new winter markets feeling new! Last week, the Neighborhood Y at Woodfin Winter Tailgate Market welcomed Jake’s Farm, as well as eco-friendly cleaning product vendor Shecology (try their laundry soap nuts!). Jake’s Farm will bring their wide variety of produce to Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown beginning this Saturday as well. Speaking of veggies, expect lots of lettuce. At ACM last weekend, Kay Farm’s coolers overflowed with the leafy stuff.
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
Spring salad ingredients are stealing the spotlight at area farmers tailgate markets now. And we’re not just talking about the standards—although crisp local lettuces and radishes abound. Find everything you need for specialty side salads: slaw, pasta salad, even potato salad!