Spring’s boldest flavors—from ramps to asparagus and stinging nettles to spring onions—were front and center at area farmers tailgate markets this past week and weekend, and they should be available for your favorite recipes a little longer.
North Asheville Tailgate Market
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Attention last-minute Thanksgiving shoppers! Here’s what you need to know:
West Asheville Tailgate Market’s final tailgate of the season is tomorrow, November 22nd, from 2:30 until 5:30 pm. Find all the produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods you’ll need for your big meal, as well as holiday baskets chock-full of goodies from market vendors.
Both the Wednesday Co-op Tailgate Market next to the French Broad Food Co-op and the Montford Farmers Market are open Wednesday, the 23rd, from 2 to 6 pm with an abundance of produce, meats, and cheeses, along with flowers and wreaths for your tablescape. It’s the last full market of the season for the Wednesday Co-op Tailgate (some vendors will remain through December), and it’s the final market for Montford before the site becomes home to the 9th Annual Holiday Bazaar, December 3, 10, and 17.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Thanksgiving is the ultimate meat (or meat-alternative!) and potatoes meal, and who says spuds can’t be the star? Area farmers tailgate markets have the varieties you need to make the quintessential side stand out—whether you plan to mash, roast, or bake.
Look for fingerling potatoes, including the chef-favorite Russian Banana. These yellow banana-shaped ‘taters are known for their firm texture that holds up well to boiling, baking, and beyond. Also look for Green Mountain potatoes, spotted recently from Full Sun Farm at Montford Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market. Green Mountain was once the country’s most-popular baking potato, before the Russet took over the top spot. While only a few farmers grow the variety now, Full Sun promises that its unique buttery flavor is still the same.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Fall may be settling in, but some summer veggies—from peppers to beans—can still be found this week at area farmers tailgate markets. There has even been a surge of green tomatoes recently. Unfortunately, the surge actually means winter is nipping at our heels. A hard freeze that will put an end to tomato plants is on its way. So, farmers are bringing any unripe ‘maters to market now. Snap them up while you can; they’ll be gone by the end of the month.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
It’s a veritable pumpkin patch at area farmers tailgate markets now that October is here! Pick pie pumpkins for your favorite recipe. They’re smaller, sweeter, and less grainy than their carving counterparts, making them perfect for, well, pie!
Of course jack-o-lanterns can be “picked,” too. At Asheville City Market, visit Hugh Wright of Arbor Studios. He brings a selection of already carved pumpkins that are truly works of art. What’s more, he carves live at his booth and offers custom designs. He’ll keep his patch packed through Halloween, but his intricate designs should last until well after the spooky day. Vendors also sell Indian corn, colorful squash, and gourds for decoration.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
No, it’s not your imagination. Local veggies—from beets to squash—are getting bigger at area farmers tailgate markets!
Last week, Blue Meadow Farms offered up Detroit and Chioggia beets the size of large potatoes. While they look like your average beet on the outside, Chioggias are uniquely red and white striped inside. What’s more, the beauties are sweeter than other varieties. Find Blue Meadow at West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market (downtown and South).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
It’s a pearfect week to pick up pears at area farmers markets! Asian pears have been spotted at tailgates around the region. They’re crisp (hence their nickname ‘apple pear’), juicy, and slightly sweet. They’re a tad tart, too, especially near their cores. Look for additional varieties in the coming weeks, and keep your eye out for vendor Fresh Pearspective to join Asheville City Market—and likely more markets—through the end of September. Last year, they offered both Bosch and Seckel pears.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Pioppinis! Reishis! Mushroom enthusiasts know we’re not speaking another language; we’re talking about two interesting and locally grown varieties. While you can usually find mushrooms at area farmers markets throughout the tailgate season, now is a great time to find varieties new to market (and maybe new to you)! Myco-Gardens offered up both varieties at North Asheville Tailgate Market last weekend, with Pioppinis new to their booth. Pioppinis pack a peppery flavor that’s perfect in pasta dishes or stir-fries. Myco’s Carol Dreiling says that Reishis are great for making tea, as they’re a medicinal, not culinary, mushroom. Rumored health benefits include blood pressure management and liver protection.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
This week, scoop up your summer favorites from area farmers tailgate markets before they’re gone and store them away for winter. After all, fall will officially take summer’s place in about a month. Try freezing fresh okra so you can warm up with a pot of local gumbo once the cool weather arrives. Pickle beans and peppers together for dilly beans; they’ll serve as a crisp summery reminder. Or, freeze berries and can peaches to enjoy more than apples next season. We hear McConnell Farms had three types of peaches at last weekend’s Asheville City Market!