ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - July 21, 2023

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Farmers are bringing more new summer produce to markets each week, we can hardly keep up! Make a trip to your nearest farmers tailgate market this week to snag some of the latest summer delicacy, eggplant! While raw, eggplant can be rubbery and somewhat bitter, when cooked, this veggie takes on a creamy texture and easily absorbs or compliments any flavors that it’s paired with! You can find Italian globe, japanese and fairy tale eggplant varieties this week from vendors like Maypop Farm : [link removed](Asheville City Market), Olivette Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City and East Asheville : [link removed] markets), Flying Cloud Farm : [link removed] (River Arts District : [link removed] and North Asheville : [link removed] markets), and more! 

A classic way to use eggplants in your cooking this weekend is with a creamy, savory baba ganoush! This chilled eggplant dip is the perfect summer snack when paired with pita wedges or veggies to dip with. Start by grilling two italian globe eggplants whole over medium high heat, turning occasionally with tongs, for about 15 to 20 minutes until the eggplant has fully charred on the outside and the flesh has collapsed and softened. Place the cooked eggplants  in a colander, and using a knife, open the eggplant up then push down with a spoon to drain any excess juices and water. Peel off the skin and stem of the eggplans and discard. Transfer eggplant to a large bowl, and break down into smaller pieces with a fork. Add a quarter cup of tahini paste, one clove of minced garlic, the juice of one lemon, a tablespoon of greek yogurt, a teaspoon of sumac, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until well-combined, then cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and pine nuts, and serve! 

Not sure what to do with fairy tale eggplants? Other than its striking violet and white striped appearance, the miniature eggplant variety has a soft outer skin and slightly sweeter, creamier flavor that makes it a breeze to grill, sauté, bake and more. While fairy tale eggplants are easy to enjoy without much help from other ingredients, this tabbouleh recipe uses a zesty greek sauce and toasted pine nuts to compliment the flavor of your eggplant for an enchanting dish! In a large dry skillet, toast three tablespoons of pine nuts for 3 to 4 minutes until browned and fragrant, then set aside in a small bowl. Slice 8 to 10 fairy tale eggplants in half lengthwise, then toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a skillet, then place the eggplants cut side down first onto the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, then set eggplants aside. Heat another two tablespoons of olive oil in the pan, then add one clove of minced garlic and two chopped scallions, cooking until fragrant. Add one cup of cooked quinoa to the pan, one chopped handful of parsley, and the juice of two lemon wedges, then continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in three-fourths cup of chopped cherry tomatoes and one diced cucumber. To make the sauce, combine half a cup of plain greek yogurt, two tablespoons of lemon zest, two cloves of minced garlic, and one handful of chopped fresh mint. Top with the eggplants, toasted pine nuts, feta cheese, and a drizzle of the greek yogurt sauce, and enjoy! 

At farmers markets now you’ll also find peppers, tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, summer squash, potatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, beets, radishes, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plants, 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 ASAP

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appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | asapconnections.org : [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.
 

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7/22
Save and Seal the Summer : [link removed]
 

7/25
Morning Tour of the NC State Hop Yard-New Varieties : [link removed]

7/30
Forest Farming Tour : [link removed]
 

8/10
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center Field Day 2023 : [link removed]
 

8/17
2023 ASAP Agritourism Workshop : [link removed]

8/19
Trial to Table – Summer Celebration : [link removed]

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

News from ASAP

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Sign Up to Volunteer for ASAP's 2023 Farm Tour
 
ASAP's Farm Tour : [link removed] (Sept. 23-24) is a chance to experience diverse farms in the region through guided tours, tastings, and hands-on activities. As a volunteer, you spend one afternoon from 12–5 p.m. welcoming visitors at a participating farm and in exchange receive a free tour pass (good for everyone in your car) to visit farms on the day you aren’t working. Volunteering is a great way to connect with a local farm, make new farm friends, and meet people from across the region! We need volunteers both Saturday and Sunday. Find out more and sign up here. : [link removed] and Farms in the News

Asheville Citizen Times : [link removed] talked with several farmers about conservation easements in a recent article. CrossCreek Farm and Alta Vista Farm—which share land and will be a stop on ASAP's Farm Tour : [link removed] Sept. 23-34—were among the featured farms. 

“[My wife's] grandparents used to have a farm and the property values up there just skyrocketed when people couldn’t even keep the farms," said Mark Diaz, owner of CrossCreek. "That’s what got me interested in conservation. You put it in the conservation easement, you get a bit of a tax break, and you don’t have to worry about somebody buying you out and developing it. It’s protected. When you look at the valley, it’s something that should be kept. And I just know that if it’s not protected, it’s going to be bought out.”



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

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