winter squash

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

carrots, turnips, beets

Still trying to figure out what to cook friends and family for Thanksgiving this year? Try putting a spin on ordinary Thanksgiving sides with local produce from farmers tailgate markets! Despite some below freezing temperatures last week, there are still plenty of fresh vegetables at markets to use in your holiday cooking.  This grain-free veggie

Chef William Dissen’s Candy Roaster Squash Soup

Chef William Dissen's candy roaster soup

William Dissen is the executive chef and owner of The Market Place in Asheville as well as Haymaker in Charlotte, and Billy D’s Fried Chicken at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. I worked with the Slow Food organization to help get candy roaster squash on their arc of taste. The heirloom squash dates back

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

winter squash

Winter may seem far away, but winter squash varieties are already at farmers markets! While our favorite summer squashes—such as zucchini, green-and-yellow zephyr and pattypan are still in abundance, we’ve spotted winter squash varieties like delicata, acorn, kabocha, and spaghetti squash at markets in the past few weeks! Don’t let the hard outer shell of

Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Dry Ridge Farm at ASAP Farmers Market, photo by Camilla Calnan

Maybe it’s just February vibes or because we’re already thinking about Super Bowl snacks, but we have chili on the brain. If slow-cooking a piece of meat sounds good to you, too, winter farmers markets are a great place to start! We have a few variations on the chili theme below—including a non-meat option that still hits that same comfort-food note. 

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

As we wait to see how last week’s snow storm will affect field crops and hoop houses, now might be a good time to explore some of the storage veggies at winter farmers markets, like sweet potatoes, cabbage, and winter squash. We have a couple of ideas to make the most of the winter squash varieties still available from several farms—including butternut from Sleight Family Farm, kabocha from Lee’s One Fortune Farm, and acorn from Highgate Farm. Look for Sleight at ASAP Farmers Market, Highgate at River Arts District Farmers Market, and the Lees at both markets.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

delicata squash

Farmers, even in the best of times, experience setbacks. Many farms in our region are grappling with enormous loss due to Tropical Storm Fred. Meanwhile, a series of late frosts in April significantly damaged apples and other fruit this year. The effects of these events might not be felt at farmers markets immediately, but you’ll see fewer of your favorite crops come fall and winter. Check in with your farmers and continue to support them by shopping for what is available. If you’re looking for ways to directly help fams impacted by Tropical Storm Fred, you can donate to ASAP’s Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund. This fund provides immediate needs grants to farmers impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies. Find out more at asapconnections.org/farmer-relief-fund.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

radicchio

Maybe you’re still happily eating leftover pumpkin pie for every meal (no judgement). But chances are you need to restock your fridge to make a few lighter, healthier meals this week—say, salad. Fall greens are abundant at farmers markets right now, so there’s no need for these meals to be boring!

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

persimmons from Lees One Fortune Farm 550x250

Halloween festivities are a bit different this year, given that most events that draw crowds have been canceled or reimagined. But there are a few chances to show off your costume at Buncombe County farmers tailgate markets today and tomorrow. You can also pick up ingredients for sweet and salty treats and fun kitchen activities to make together at home with your family or close friends.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

muscadine grapes

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall,” wrote Oscar Wilde, and that feels especially true this year. This past week’s cooler temperatures have brought the threat of frost to some of the higher-elevation farms in our region. While farmers tailgate markets have been seeing the transition to autumn for the past several weeks, suddenly cooler-weather crops are taking center stage. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are all still available, but in shorter supply. Here are a few things to start looking for instead.

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Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

summer and winter squash

Believe it or not, winter squash—butternut, delicata, kabocha, and more—is starting to show up on local farmers’ social media feeds. August is always a funny time of year. We’re still anticipating some of summer’s best treats (watermelon!), even as the first few autumnal crops make their way to farmers tailgate markets. 

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