ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - June 7, 2024

Fresh at Farmers Markets

: [link removed] : [link removed]

Cherries have a blink-and-you-miss-it season in Western North Carolina, but that moment is now! If you don’t eat all the cherries you find at farmers markets, you can preserve their flavors a bit longer by making vinaigrette to zip up your salads or syrup to add some zing to icy drinks. You can also freeze cherries and have them ready to add to smoothies. Look for cherries from Bright Branch Farms (East Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), and Lyda and Sons Orchard (Weaverville Tailgate Market : [link removed]). 
 

Cherry vinaigrette will make even the simplest salad greens sing—and it goes particularly well with roasted beets, arugula, and any type of cheese. Remove the stems and pits from one cup of fresh cherries. Place cherries in a blender or food processor with two tablespoons balsamic vinegar, one-third cup olive oil, one tablespoon honey, half a teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste your vinaigrette. Add more honey if you’d like it to be sweeter or adjust the salt and pepper to taste. You can also blend in herbs, like basil or cilantro. You can use sweet or sour cherries in this recipe and adjust the sweetener to your liking.
 

Cherry and lime are a classic combination in this simple syrup. Combine one cup of water, one cup of sugar, and the zest from one lime in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil for about one minute, until the sugar dissolves. Take off the heat and add half a cup of pitted cherries. Let the syrup steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the solids and pour into a glass jar. The syrup will store in the fridge for up to three weeks. Stir two tablespoons of syrup into eight ounces of club soda for homemade cherry-lime soda, or use the syrup to sweeten a glass of iced tea. 
 

To freeze cherries, remove the stems and pits. Spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 24 hours. Once the cherries are completely frozen, you can transfer them to freezer safe bags or containers. Store them in the freezer for up to six months. 
 

Also spotted at markets in recent weeks: strawberries, cucumbers, summer squash and zucchini, fennel, garlic scapes, spring onions, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, radishes, kale, chard, mushrooms, and much more. Markets offer an abundance of farm-fresh eggs and meats, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. You can also get bread, cheese, pastries, fermented products, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including hours and location, 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]

6/11-6/13
AgLaunch Cultivate Appalachia Bootcamp for Agri-Food and AgTech Startups : [link removed]
 

6/13
Paperpot Co Demonstration and Workshop : [link removed]
 

6/22
Introduction to Rotational Grazing Workshop : [link removed]

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

News from ASAP

: [link removed]

Reminder: Take Our 10-minute Survey! 


ASAP is conducting research on why people in our community choose the food they do. We want to know where you shop, what you value most when purchasing food, and what factors motivate or discourage you from purchasing locally grown food. Whether you buy locally grown food or not, you can help farmers understand and connect with consumers—which creates a stronger local food system!
 
The survey can be completed online : [link removed] or by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take 8-12 minutes to complete and will be open until Oct. 31, 2024. You must be over the age of 18 and a resident of Western North Carolina.
 
Please share with families, friends, and co-workers!



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.