ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - June 2, 2023

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Summer is right around the corner, and as temperatures rise, we’re seeing more and more warm weather produce at markets! This week, look for garlic scapes, summer squash, and some of the first cherries of the year! 

If you’re not familiar with garlic scapes, they are the tender stem and bulb of hard-necked garlic plants. The flavor of garlic scapes can best be described as a blend of onion, scallions, and garlic, and has a texture similar to that of asparagus. They can be grilled, sauteed, pickled, dried, or even blended and incorporated into a compound butter! However, our favorite way to use garlic scapes is in pesto sauce. Start by trimming 10 garlic scapes by cutting just below the bulb and a little bit off the end of the stems. In a blender or food processor, add the trimmed scapes, one third cup of pine nuts or roasted walnuts, one third cup of shredded parmesan cheese, a handful of fresh basil, the juice of half a lemon, and a sprinkle of salt and ground pepper. Pulse until the mixture begins to break down. Slowly start to incorporate one third cup of olive oil, and continue to process until the pesto sauce reaches your desired consistency. You can find garlic scapes from Highgate Farm : [link removed] (Black Mountain : [link removed], River Arts District : [link removed], and West Asheville : [link removed] markets), Olivette Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City : [link removed] and East Asheville : [link removed] markets), Sleight Family Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), and more! 

Look out for some of the first harvests of summer squash at markets this week! While there will be plenty of this summer favorite over the next few months, celebrate its arrival by grilling some sliced zucchini squash and serving with some of that garlic scape pesto! You can find zucchini, zephyr, and patty pan squash from Full Sun Farm : [link removed] at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. Maypop Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City Market) and Highgate Farm are bringing zucchini squash to markets this week! 

If you’re eager to have some fresh, locally grown cherries, make sure to get to markets early this week! With a harvest window of only a few weeks in North Carolina, these stone fruits will be gone before we know it! Throw some sliced cherries into a salad with arugula, goat cheese, sliced almonds and a vinaigrette for a refreshing spring salad! The signature sweet and sour flavor of cherries also make the perfect base for any cobblers, pies, jams, or other baked goods. You can find cherries from Bright Branch Farm this week at East Asheville Tailgate Market. 

At farmers markets now you’ll also find strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plant starts, meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide : [link removed].

Connect with Us

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appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | fromhere.org : [link removed]
asapconnections.org : [link removed] | growing- : [link removed] : [link removed]
 
Donate to support local food, strong farms, and healthy communities today! : [link removed]
 
ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.

Upcoming Events

6/3
9th Annual EmpTea Bowls : [link removed]

6/4
Farm to Fork Picnic : [link removed]
 

6/24
Good Fields: An Appalachian Food and Farms Festival : [link removed]

Find upcoming events (or post your own) at
asapconnections.org : [link removed].

News from ASAP

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Sponsor ASAP's
Farm Tour

Want to gain visibility for your business and connect with the region's passion for local food? Be a Farm Tour : [link removed] sponsor! ASAP's annual Farm Tour (held this year on Sept. 23-24) has approximately 2,000 participants who are eager to engage with their community and find fun experiences. Contact ASAP Development Director Nora Scheff : mailto:[email protected] for more information on how your business can partner with ASAP.

Local Food and Farm News

Mountain Xpress : [link removed] reporter Daniel Walton delves into some of the challenges with community fridges in Asheville, including the fridge at Southside Community Farm. “We focus so much on having it be open to everyone and not putting rules up about who can use it,” says farm manager Chloe Moore. “Because the second we start putting rules up, we might be putting someone in a desperate situation and excluding someone.”



ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801

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