As temperatures continue to rise, more farmers and others vendors are returning to fill out farmers tailgate markets—and a few more markets are ready to open! Enka-Candler Tailgate Market, at the A-B Tech Small Business Center in Enka, opens this Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Black Mountain Tailgate Market will open next Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. (If you’re looking for a market outside of Buncombe County, here’s a full list of opening dates throughout the region.)
watercress
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
An abundance of leafy greens cover farmers tailgate markets these days, and even if you regularly fill your bag with kale and collards, there are more options than ever for trying new varieties. Here’s a rundown of what you might discover at markets this winter.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
With the bouts of sunshine and rain we’ve seen through the past week, farmers tailgate markets should be popping with produce and blooms this week. Mother’s Day is Sunday, so make that part of your Friday afternoon or Saturday morning shopping plan. Even if you’re a mid-week market-goer, our guess is that Mom would be happy to be showered in local food love any day of the week.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This week
You’ll want to make sure to turnip at area farmers tailgate markets this week because spring radishes and turnips are particularly flavorful this time of year. Other new and notable additions to the market vendors’ tables: pea shoots, a broader range of fresh herbs, and mushrooms.
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!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
These are the salad days of area farmers tailgate markets. They’re young, just beginning, bustling with excitement, and chock full of everything you need for a spring salad—from lettuce mixes to spinach to radishes!
Like your salad with a bit of a kick? Punch it up with watercress, spotted recently from Long Valley Eco-biotic Farm (Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market, Sundays on the Island) and Paper Crane Farm (Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market ). Early spring is the prime flavor time for spicy watercress, which also goes well in sandwiches and sauces. Arugula can be found now, too, for a peppery punch. Harvest Table Farm recently brought theirs to the West Asheville Tailgate Market, along with the piquant green Mizuna.