ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - January 31, 2025

Fresh at Farmers Markets


Valentine’s Day is one of the few days a year designated to showing your love and appreciation towards your significant other, friends, family, or whoever may be special to you! Treating your loved one to a special meal made from local produce, or with an array of thoughtfully selected local artisan products, is a great way to celebrate next week’s holiday.

For a stay-at-home Valentine’s Day dinner, this black truffle and mushroom pasta is an incredibly simple, yet deliciously bold dish, that will surely make the holiday feel special! Start by stirring together one tablespoon of softened butter, one-and-a-half teaspoons of finely grated black truffle, and a quarter teaspoon of lemon juice and salt. In a separate bowl, toss together about three cups worth of fresh, local mushrooms (we prefer shiitake for this recipe), one tablespoon of olive oil, a dash of black pepper, and another quarter teaspoon of salt. Spread in an even layer in a small, rimmed baking sheet, then roast at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Cook eight ounces of pasta until al dente (we like mafaldine, shaped like ribbons). While the pasta is boiling, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, then cook two thinly sliced garlic cloves for a minute or two until the garlic begins to brown. Stir in half a cup of vegetable broth and the baked mushrooms into the pan. Drain your pasta, reserving one cup of cooking liquid, then add the pasta and prepared truffle butter to the pan. Cook for about one minute, stirring and slowly adding in the cooking liquid until the sauce is emulsified and the desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat, then add two tablespoons each of chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. You can find truffles or premade truffle butter from Wild Goods at Asheville City and River Arts District markets, and mushrooms from Black Trumpet Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets). Swap out a spaghetti squash for the pasta for a gluten free option.

Planning on going out for a special evening? Surprise your Valentine with a delicious charcuterie board full of local artisan meats and cheeses as an at-home appetizer! Find a variety of savory, dry-aged salami from Ivy Fields Farm (Asheville City and Weaverville markets) and Hickory Nut Gap Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market) to enjoy with a sharp cheddar from Looking Glass Creamery (Asheville City Market) or a variety of cheese dips from Ali Rae Foods (North Asheville and River Arts District markets). Find a variety of lacto-fermented veggies, like daikon radishes, beets, and carrots from Serotonin Ferments at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. Pair your hors d'oeuvres with a yummy tart cherry pie or blue blueberry lemon lavender flavored mocktail made from Savor Shrub Bitters concentrates (North Asheville, River Arts District and Weaverville markets), or an appetizing, sparkling probiotic j�n from Shanti Elixirs (North Asheville Tailgate Market)!

Chocolate and flowers usually come to mind when one thinks of Valentine’s Day traditions, and while this combination can seem a little clich� at times, locally made presents can make these gifts so much more meaningful! While locally grown, fresh flowers might be hard to come by this time of year, look for vendors with an array of delicious chocolate treats like Silvermoon Chocolate (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Conjure Craft Chocolate (North Asheville Tailgate Market), and EveryDate’s refined sugar free truffles (North Asheville and Weaverville markets). Plus, find a special heart (coeur) shaped chocolate goat cheese from Spinning Spider Creamery at North Asheville and River Arts District markets.

At winter markets now you’ll can also find beets, radishes, turnips, cabbage, hardy greens, salad greens, winter squash, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Markets are also stocked with a variety of cheeses, pasta, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.

Connect with ASAP


appalachiangrown.org | asapconnections.org

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

2/9
Sausage Master Class

2/14
Snowmoon Stargazing for Valentine’s Day

2/19
ASAP's Growing Minds Farm to School Training

2/22
ASAP's Business of Farming Conference

2/25
Forest Farming Tour at Banks Mountain Forest Farm – featuring Horse Logging, Silvopasture, and Mushroom Production

3/14
Organic Growers School Spring Conference

4/25
ASAP’s Appalachian Grown Gathering

Find upcoming events (or post your own) atasapconnections.org.

News from ASAP


Are you or do you know a teacher who is looking to get more engaged with local food in schools? Join ASAP’s Growing Minds program for an introduction to Farm to School on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm.

In this virtual training you will learn about the different components of farm to school, hear how you can use our toolkits and resources to support your farm to school goals, glean insights from farm to school champions in our region, and brainstorm activities to get you started. All are welcome no matter what age you teach or what your experience with farm to school is!

If you attend the training and are an educator in North Carolina, we will send you a hard copy of our I Tried Local Toolkit for FREE, so make sure to note your school’s address in the registration form.

To learn more and to register, go to growing-minds.org.



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

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