ramps

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

As we await more abundant spring produce, one veggie (or fungi, rather) you’ll be able to find year-round are mushrooms! Local mushroom growers and cultivators are plentiful at spring markets and you can find a variety of fungi to add to your cooking this week, including oysters, shiitake, lion’s mane, chestnut, maybe even notorious wild-foraged

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Now that the region has finally seen some April showers and warmer temperatures, things are ramping up and spring produce is well on its way. Yes, that’s right, the first ramps, asparagus, and strawberries are finally here! As icons of spring, these fruits and veggies have long been the first signifiers of the start of

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

ramps from Wild Goods

These sunny skies and 70 degree days finally have it feeling like spring! This season’s markets are full of spring alliums like green garlic, ramps, leeks, onion scapes, green onions, and more!  Ramps, an Appalachian springtime favorite, have made their way back to markets! This wild allium variety is loved by chefs, foragers, and market-goers

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

chestnut mushrooms from Black Trumpet Farm, photo by Camilla Calnan

Springtime brings on foraging dreams for many of us—returning to your favorite ramp patch or happening upon an elusive morel deep in the woods. But if you’re not able to wander off the path in search of these delights, farmers tailgate markets can also be great places to gather wild foods, in addition to cultivated spring crops.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

ramps

We’ll see a few more farmers markets opening in Buncombe County in the next two weeks, though others have announced delays. Set to open Saturday, May 2, are North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNC Asheville and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Enka-Candler Tailgate Market will begin Thursday, May 7, at a new location at the A-B Tech Small Business Center at 1465 Sand Hill Rd. in Enka. East Asheville Tailgate Market and Riverside Tailgate Market have both delayed openings and Asheville City Market’s downtown and south locations remain closed. Find a full list of which markets are open throughout the region here. 

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Dry Ridge Farm eggs

Will you be dying eggs this weekend? More farmers tailgate markets vendors than ever are selling eggs right now, so this is a great chance to go local with your Easter, Passover, Earth Day, or other springtime celebrations. With many cartons containing a pretty mix of blue, brown, and white, you could go minimalist and skip the dye altogether. But if colored eggs are non-negotiable, we have a few food-based suggestions to avoid artificial food coloring. These dyes will work on both brown or white eggs, though the resulting color will vary.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This week

McConnell Farms asparagus

The first spring bounty has arrived at area farmers tailgate markets — ramps and asparagus! These veggies have long been the first signifiers of the start of the spring harvest and evoke celebration in many agrarian traditions. Both have a very short harvest period, so enjoy them while they’re here!

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This week

Flowers are blooming and leaves are budding at the first outdoor farmers tailgate markets of the season! This past week, Asheville City Market opened among stunning trees in full bloom, with music playing, kids frolicking, sunny skies, and many conversations full of smiles and laughter — it was a picture-perfect first market day!

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