ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - September 1, 2023

Fresh at Farmers Markets

: [link removed]
 
While it may look like an apple and crunch like an apple, this delicious summer fruit is actually a pear! While your traditional pear offers a bell-like shape and sweet, floral taste, Asian pears have a rounder shape with a milder, refreshing flavor. You can find Asian pears from Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City : [link removed], Black Mountain : [link removed], East Asheville : [link removed], River Arts District : [link removed], and West Asheville : [link removed] markets), Bright Branch Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market), Tucker’s Garden (West Asheville Tailgate Market), and McConnell Farms : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]).
 
Obviously the easiest way to enjoy asian pears is by slicing them up and enjoying the fruit by itself. But the next best thing is with this super-simple Asian pear flatbread recipe! Start by placing a pre-baked flatbread or pizza crust onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brushing the top with olive oil, then baking for five minutes at 400 degrees to crisp the crust. Remove flatbread from the oven, then dollop six ounces of brie onto the crust evenly. On top of the cheese, evenly spread one thinly sliced shallot, two teaspoons of fine chopped fresh rosemary, two tablespoons of honey, two cored and sliced asian pears, two ounces of prosciutto (or leave out for a vegetarian dish), and top with a quarter cup of chopped and roasted walnuts and some ground pepper. Bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the pears have softened, the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown. Garnish with a few fresh rosemary sprigs and some additional honey, and enjoy! 
 

This Asian pear slaw is the perfect side dish to balance a spicier main course, and is an absolute breeze to prepare! Julienne two stalks of celery, two asian pears, and finely chop a quarter cup of fresh cilantro and two green onions, then mix ingredients together in a large bowl. For the dressing, whisk together half an inch of peeled and grated ginger, two tablespoons of lime juice, and two tablespoons of rice vinegar. Toss ingredients together with the dressing and let stand for a few minutes before serving. 
 

This Korean steamed pear dessert, also known as baesuk, is a delicious (and healthy) way to play into the subtle sweetness of Asian pears! Start by rinsing a large Asian pear, then make a lid by slicing one inch off the top. Scoop out the core and seeds with a spoon. Fill up the center with two tablespoons of honey, one teaspoon of grated ginger, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, one tablespoon of pine nuts or walnuts, and two dates (pits removed). Put the sliced lid pack on the pear, place in a small bowl, then steam the pear for about an hour over medium high heat. Drink the juices left in the bowl for a natural remedy to sore throats (or just a delicious warm cider), and enjoy the cooked pear and filling for a yummy dessert! 
 

At farmers markets now you’ll also find melons, corn, apples, blackberries, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, cucumbers, 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

: [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] 
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.
 

: [link removed]

9/3
HarvestFest : [link removed] (rescheduled)
 

9/6
WNC AgOptions Information Session : [link removed]
 

9/7
Shiloh Community Association Gala : [link removed]
 
9/12
WNC AgOptions Information Session : [link removed]
 

9/14
Fermentation Class with Fermenti : [link removed] AgOptions Information Session : [link removed]
 

9/14-9/17
Putting Food By & Other Revolutionary Acts : [link removed]
 

9/16
Southside Pig Roast + Raffle : [link removed]
 

9/17
Sterile Mushroom Lab Techniques : [link removed]
 
Find upcoming events (or post your own) at
asapconnections.org : [link removed].

News from ASAP

: [link removed]
 

Community Day: The Art of Food 

Join ASAP this Saturday, 12-4, at the Asheville Art Museum's Community Day : [link removed] around The Art of Food exhibit. ASAP will moderate a panel on Appalachian Foodways at 3 p.m., with farmers Malcolm Banks (Yellow Mountain Garden) and Delia Jovel (Tierra Fertil Coop) and chef Eric Morris (Cultura by Wicked Weed). Plus, get recipes  in English and Spanish from ASAP's Growing Minds. The event and museum are free to attend on Saturday!

Local Food and Farm in the News

Jill Wasilewski, owner of Ivory Road Café & Kitchen in Arden, won the 2023 People’s Choice Award for best dessert at the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Chef Showdown on Aug. 14 in Raleigh. Her winning dish—miso caramel peach tart tatin—used local products from Mills River Creamery, Dry Ridge Farm, and Root Bottom Farm. Read more in the Mountain Xpress : [link removed].
 

WLOS : [link removed] has a rundown on everything Apple Festival ahead of the event through the long weekend, featuring many local apple orchards. “We call it the harvest hustle so we are working around the clock all day long many weeks in advance because it is a big impact for our farm and the community,” said Colby Creasman Buchanan of Creasman Farms.



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

Subscribe to this newsletter:
[link removed]
Unsubscribe [email protected]:
[link removed]
Change your preferences:
[link removed]
Forward to a friend:
[link removed]
Report this email as spam:
[link removed]

This email was sent using MyNewsletterBuilder.com.