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!
sweet potatoes
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Last week, we shared several seasonal surprises available at farmers tailgate markets. This week, we’re surprised there are even more unexpected finds to be found! Look out for cardoon, sweet potatoes in all shades, and sugar snap and snow peas…
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Love is in the air at winter tailgate markets! In fact, a new Valentine’s market has sprung up just for the February fete. We’re talking about the Historic Marion Tailgate’s Valentine Craft Market on Saturday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 12. Expect handcrafted gift items like jewelry and soap along with sweet and savory baked goods for your sweetie (say that five times fast!).
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Last Saturday, Haywood Park Hotel’s atrium began its winter transformation into a local food paradise with the first indoor Asheville City Market. The aroma of Biltmore Coffee Traders’ Sumatran blend filled the corridor, while farmers and artisan food producers dotted the space with all kinds of goodies—we’re talking chicken, chocolate, eggs, lamb, pickles, pork, you name it. Talented area craftspeople were there, too, with bath products for the winter blues, handmade lunch sacks and more.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
We’ve got a fall riddle for you: What are sure to make this week a sweet week at area farmers tailgate markets? (Hint: look left or up!)
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
You could say that the bases are loaded now at area farmers markets. And that the shift is on; the seasonal shift, that is. Summer’s heavy-hitters—tomatoes, eggplants, and more—remain, while fall’s rookies are being called up to play.
This week, McConnell Farms plans to have some of the last of summer’s peaches at Asheville City Market South (Wednesday) and downtown (Saturday). He should still have sweet corn, too. But the cobs are sure to go fast.