This week we are talking about heart-helping purple foods! Besides being absolutely gorgeous and delicious, purple foods contain an antioxidant—anthocyanins—which help to protect and repair cellular damage, protect the crop from sun damage and cold temperatures, and support our cardiovascular and overall health. While you can usually find purple produce at markets all-year-round, find a … Read more
While we’re forever grateful for winter farmers markets and farmers who find ways to extend their growing seasons, we do sometimes experience midwinter doldrums. Less variety can leave cooks feeling uninspired. When this happens, it’s time to mix things up—literally, in a blender or food processor. We’re talking about winter green sauces! Green tahini sauce … Read more
With Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, approaching next week, we can feel ourselves slowly inching towards spring and longer days. As most Asian cultures follow the lunar calendar rather than Gregorian solar calendar, Lunar New Year falls on the first new moon between January 21 and February 20, marking Wednesday, January … Read more
A colorful mix of new potatoes are overflowing at Buncombe County farmers markets. Harvested earlier in the season before they develop their thick and protective exterior, new potatoes are extra sweet and creamy, cook faster, and have thin and tender skins making them the perfect star for many summer dishes—including a breakfast hash, herby mashed … Read more
Tomatoes are beginning their first appearances at Buncombe County farmers markets. Tomatoes come in almost endless varieties and are champions of versatility! With so many options to choose from and plenty of ways to utilize them in your cooking, tomatoes will be on your shopping list at farmers markets for the rest of summer through … Read more
With a heat wave gripping most of the Eastern United States this week, it’s too hot to cook! Luckily, we’re entering the season of chilled soups and gazpacho. These dishes are essentially vegetable smoothies to eat from a bowl—or even drink from a glass if you prefer! They require no heat to prepare, but pack … Read more
Zucchini and yellow squash season is only just getting started, but we can’t help but get excited about these as the start to summer produce. The tender baby varieties that are available right now are great for eating raw in pasta or salad. Look for summer squash from Full Sun Farm (North Asheville and River … Read more
Asparagus has arrived at farmers markets for spring! Asparagus packs a lot of nutrition, including Vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. This culinary staple can be cooked in many ways, including a delicious pasta primavera. Did you know that primavera means spring in Italian? What better way to kick off the season than a … Read more
As spring creeps in, farmers markets will start to have new vegetables that invite shoppers to try something new. Spring alliums—including scallions, spring onions, and green garlic—are among the first to mark the new season! These versatile vegetables lend a fresh, peppery flavor and can spice up almost any dish. Stir fry is a classic … Read more
Winter produce is still abundant at farmers markets. While we wait for spring fruits and veggies, there’s still time to explore new recipes with winter’s bounty! Try making this delicious “green” shakshuka recipe with winter greens and veggies like chard, broccoli, and kale. Or use some of this season’s winter squash for a nourishing curry … Read more