The changing of the seasons–even week by week this time of year–we get to witness and taste ripening of each fruit, one ripening as another is ending. While strawberries still have a few more weeks, the short yet sweet season of cherries is here! Cherries are both easy to preserve and delicious eaten fresh too. Add them to a multitude of recipes or try your hand at baking.
Cherries not only pair well with baked goods like pies, scones, and brownies, but can make a bright addition to oatmeal. Chop some cherries, removing the pits, and mix them into Big Deal Oatmeal’s nutrient dense oatmeal blends to make an easy breakfast of overnight oats or even oatmeal cookies. Find Big Deal Oatmeal at Asheville City, North Asheville, West Asheville, and Enka-Candler markets. You can even add fresh cherries to fresh salads, chicken salads, and pasta salads. Find cherries from Lyda and Sons Orchard (Weaverville Tailgate Market), McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market), and Bright Branch Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market, biweekly).
If you are looking to preserve the cherry goodness beyond their short harvest season, try dehydrating them, freezing them, or making them into a simple syrup that you can use in cold and refreshing summer drinks. Cherry and lime are a classic thirst-quenching 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, use the syrup to sweeten a glass of iced tea, or add some ice, syrup, and club soda to a blender and make a cherry lime slushie.
We all know and love salsa, but have you ever tried a cherry salsa? This sweet and zingy cherry salsa only takes about 15 minutes to make and pairs well with tortilla chips or grilled meats like chicken. You can find nearly all the ingredients at Buncombe farmers tailgate markets now! Start by pitting one cup of cherries then dicing them to a scoopable size. Chop a small bundle of cilantro (and basil if desired), as much jalapeno as you’d like, and a half cup of your choice of chopped onion, shallot, or scallions. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and add two tablespoons of lime juice, half a teaspoon of brown sugar, and a dash of salt and pepper to taste.
At markets now you’ll also find strawberries, rhubarb, kohlrabi, cabbages, turnips, beets, radishes, carrots, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, mushrooms, microgreens, a wide variety of tender and hearty greens, and 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. During springtime, find annual and perennial plant starts for your gardens along with fresh flowers. 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.
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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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ASAP's 2025-26 Local Food Guide has arrived!
It’s here! Look for free copies making their way to farmers markets, groceries, restaurants, and other community locations around the region in the next few weeks.
In addition to hundreds of listings for farms, markets, restaurants, artisan producers, and groceries, this year’s guide includes stories on Helene impact and recovery for farms, growing SNAP access at farmers markets, and Southside Community Farm. You'll also find some delicious recipes from amazing local chefs.
If you’re too eager to get your hands on a paper copy, check out the online version in the meantime at asapconnections.org.
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