With school back in session and cooler days approaching, now is a great time to tighten up your wellness routine with teas, fire ciders, and immune-boosting meals. Farmers markets have you covered with ingredients to support and build your immune system’s resilience. From high vitamin C and antioxidant foods like broccoli, apples, spinach, bell peppers, and more, to elderberry tonics and herbal remedies, you can surely find what you need for some boosted nourishment.
Ginger is a tried and true root used to ease nausea and upset stomachs. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger, promotes gastrointestinal motility by helping food move through the digestive system more efficiently. Making tea from the root is one of the simplest and most common ways to eat ginger but it can also be added to broths, rice, soup, and more. Find fresh ginger from Wild East Farm (Black Mountain and River Arts District markets), Lee’s One Fortune Farm (Asheville City, Black Mountain, West Asheville, River Arts, Weaverville and East Asheville Markets), and soon from vendors like Thatchmore Farm and New Roots Market Garden (North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Pair your ginger with carrots for a hearty and homey carrot ginger soup–we are approaching soup season, after all! Start by heating two tablespoons of oil in a pan and sautéing half a chopped onion, two chopped garlic cloves, and a healthy knob of minced ginger. Add any preferred spices like Well Seasoned Table’s magic garlic dust, salt and pepper, and even some lemongrass stalks from the Lee’s or New Roots. Once your onions are translucent, add six chopped carrots and sauté for a few minutes. Add three cups of broth to start and simmer until the carrots are tender. Blend with an immersion blender or use a blender in batches–if you added lemongrass, remove before blending. Use more broth or add some cream as needed to get your preferred thickness. Serve with slices of sourdough bread and a fresh salad.
Another way to use ginger is to make a batch of fire cider ahead of winter. Fire cider is a traditional remedy made with medicinal vinegars, herbs, roots, and more. Popularized by herbalist and author Rosemary Gladstar, her book, Fire Cider!: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar, is full of different iterations of this immune tonic. For a simple and versatile fire cider, start by chopping up onions, garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. You can also add elderberries and sprigs of herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary. It really is a choose your own adventure type of tonic. Pack your ingredients into a glass jar or container and fill with apple cider vinegar until all ingredients are covered. Let it sit for four weeks then strain the ingredients, reserving the fiery liquid. Add some lemon and honey to your fire cider and store in the fridge almost indefinitely. When you’re feeling a sickness coming on or just need a fiery boost, take a little shot of your homemade fire cider. You can also find pre-made fire ciders from Iris Folk Medicinals (North Asheville, West Asheville, River Arts District markets), Sister of Mother Earth (North Asheville and Weaverville markets), and Wee Bee Folk (East Asheville Tailgate Market).
Don't miss out Southside Community Farm’s BIPOC Market this Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing. Find herbal remedies along with produce and prepared foods. This is an excellent opportunity to support a variety of local businesses of color, including Southside Community Farm. All are welcome!
At markets now you’ll also find collards, beets, carrots, stone fruits like peaches and plums, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, okra, peppers, eggplant, garlic, onions, green beans, microgreens, many types of fresh herbs, 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.
|
|
|
ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.
|
|
|
|
|
ASAP's Farm Tour is next weekend September 20-21, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.!
The 24 farms on Farm Tour represent the amazing diversity of agriculture happening in our region. Pick your own fruit or flowers, feed friendly farm animals, learn about regenerative agriculture, sample locally made cheese and beverages, and much more! This year’s Farm Tour is especially important as a part of Helene recovery as it helps the local food economy rebound, strengthens the relationships between farmers and consumers, and encourages tourism from outside of Asheville.
Farms are organized by cluster to help you plan and maximize your time on the farm. Spanish-language tours will be offered at seven farms. The Farm Tour is appropriate for attendees of all ages and abilities. Purchase a car pass, good for everyone in a vehicle, and view all participating farms at asapconnections.org.
|
|
|
|
|
