With the changing of the seasons–even week by week this time of year–we get to witness and taste the ripening of each fruit, one ripening as another is ending. While strawberries still have a few more weeks, the short yet sweet season of cherries is here! Cherries are both easy to preserve and delicious eaten
A lot of firsts are coming in season–broccoli, cauliflower, more cucumbers, and the first zucchini, summer squash, and new potatoes! These are crops that highlight the shoulder season so well with a mix of abundant spring crops and beginnings of early summer ones we have all been waiting for. The flowering heads of broccoli and
With warmer weather and longer days, it’s time for more outdoor activities—and let’s be honest, we could all use a little more play and whimsy in our lives! Grab some blankets, pillows, tea cups, embellished napkins, and an array of decor to charm your loved ones with a tea party or picnic inspired by the
While ramps have finished up for the season, markets are full of spring alliums like green garlic, garlic scapes, onion scapes, leeks, green onions, chives and more! The onion and garlic family—also known as edible alliums—are a fond flavor for humans and have been used in cooking and as natural medicine for thousands of years.
With spring markets in full flush, there are plenty of options to honor and spoil the mother figure in your life. No matter who you’d like to honor this week (on Mother’s Day or any other day), Buncombe County farmers tailgate markets are stocked with flowers, treats, and plenty of gift ideas for the special
The long awaited flush of strawberries is here! Strawberries are a special type of food magic—they are the first fruit to ripen making them classic harbingers of spring and they are the only fruit that grows its seeds on the outside. With more Vitamin C than oranges, strawberries are not actually a berry but an
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
As more markets open over the coming weeks—like Enka Candler Farmers Market on Thursday, April 24—this annual reopening is a vital opportunity to support local farmers who play a crucial role in sustaining our regional food systems and economies. To help make your trip to market more exciting and easeful, here are some simple tips
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
With the arrival of the new season we welcome the return of farmers markets and the dozens of vendors that come with them! With more than 100 farmers markets across the Appalachian Grown region, more markets will reopen throughout the spring. Many of these markets offer SNAP incentives and other promotional programs. Search for markets