ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - April 5, 2024

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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With the arrival of the new season we welcome the return of farmers markets and the dozens of vendors that come with them! Mustard greens and arugula are some of the first signs that spring produce is on its way back in, and you can find plenty at markets this week. Look for arugula and mustard greens like tatsoi and mizuna from Thatchmore Farm : [link removed] New Roots Market Garden : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), Ivy Creek Family Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville and Weaverville : [link removed] markets), Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City : [link removed], River Arts District : [link removed], West Asheville : [link removed], and East Asheville : [link removed] markets), and more!
 
Known for their mustard-like, peppery and somewhat earthy flavor, arugula and mustard greens make a refreshing addition to your recipes. Arugula works best when served raw in salads. It pairs especially well with roasted beets, feta cheese crumbles, walnuts, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing! This same combination tastes incredible on a flatbread with a drizzling of balsamic glaze. 
 
While mustard greens can be appreciated raw, they are commonly added to a stir fry or sautéed! Cooking the veggies down might make them lose a little of that signature pungency and instead bring forward a delicious, full-bodied spinach-like flavor that might be more enjoyable for those who don’t typically enjoy their regular bitterness. Try serving a local steak, chicken, or pork chop over a bed of fresh mustard greens for a bit of added flavor to your main dish. 
 
If you’re looking for a little more spice, you can find wasabi at markets this week! Not commonly grown in North Carolina, Sustainabillies : [link removed] (Two Trees Farm) will have wasabi rhizome (the edible root of the plant) and wasabi greens to Asheville City Market this week for market-goers to try. While wasabi is famous for its heat, the leaves and stem of the plant are relatively mild. These leafy greens can be enjoyed raw in a salad or wrap, or sautéed, where they take on a similar flavor to that of spinach or asparagus. A common way to use the root of a wasabi plant is simply by grating it over a dish to add some of that distinctive spicy kick to a meal. Make sure to enjoy it quickly after grating wasabi, as its flavor will quickly dissipate after 10 to 15 minutes! 
 
You can also make your own wasabi paste at home. Start by removing the tough outer layer of wasabi root with a vegetable peeler, then finely grate the entire root. Add the grated wasabi into a bowl along with one tablespoon of soy sauce, and one teaspoon each of rice vinegar and mirin. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly until it forms a paste consistency, adding a bit of salt and sugar to balance the flavor. Store in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for up to two weeks! Wasabi paste is delicious when served with many tofu, chicken, and fish-based meals, and can even be used for homemade wasabi mayo, salad dressings, hummus, and more!
 
At markets now you’ll also find beets, radishes, turnips, cabbage, kale, spinach, salad greens, potatoes, and more! Markets are stocked with a variety of meats, cheese, rice, pasta, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including winter hours, 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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4/13
Introduction to Pollinators : [link removed]
 

4/19-4/20
Spring Plant Sale at Eliada Farms : [link removed]
 

4/19-4/21
Growing In The Mountains Spring Festival : [link removed]

4/21
Bountiful Bowls with Bountiful Cities : [link removed]

4/27
Farmer Social & Music at Rare Bird : [link removed]

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

News from ASAP

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 Join Our TeamASAP is hiring : [link removed] for two new positions. The Communications and Engagement Coordinator will work collaboratively to tell the story of local food and farms in the region; plan and coordinate community engagement events, including ASAP’s Farm Tour; and promote and support ASAP’s programs and services.The Operations and Market Manager is responsible for managing operational processes, office management, and program support at the ASAP office Tuesday through Friday. This position also manages the weekly communications and logistics planning in the lead up to Asheville City Market (ACM) as well as the on-site operations and management of Asheville City Market on Saturdays.The deadline to apply is April 30. Find full job descriptions and application instructions here. : [link removed] and Farms in the News

Asheville Citizen Times : [link removed] features Hickory Nut Gap Farm—including its legacy in the region, commitment to regenerative farming, connections with local restaurants, and spring and summer agritourism offerings. “How do we build a more resilient agriculture system that changes agriculture, and take care of the customer consistently and connect the dots of animal health and human health?” asks owner Jamie Ager.

Pop Bubble Tea—located inside The Hop on Merrimon—is featuring local collaborations and specialty flavors for its second Asian Tour. Through Aug. 1, on the first Thursday of the month, Pop will release a new bubble tea flavor. April's release is a lemongrass-ginger black milk tea with toasted rice powder, celebrating Laos and Tou and Chue Lee, owners of Lee’s One Fortune Farm. Read more in the Mountain Xpress : [link removed] food roundup.



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

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