Eggplant has joined the colorful parade of produce available at farmers tailgate markets. You’ll find many varieties of this summer stalwart from now until early fall.
The first eggplants to appear on market tables have been the tiny and whimsically named fairy tale variety. We’ve spotted these at Ten Mile Farm and Olivette Farm (both at ASAP Farmers Market), as well as Full Sun Farm and Gaining Ground Farm (both at River Arts District Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market). These speckled purple cuties are sweeter and creamier than other types. Because of their small size, they cook quickly and resist the sogginess. They work particularly well in recipes calling for a sauté, but roasting and grilling are also good methods.
Elongated Asian eggplants, in dark purple, lavender, and white, are another tasty option. So far we’ve seen these from Full Sun and Lee’s One Fortune Farm (ASAP Farmers Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market, and East Asheville Tailgate Market). With thin skin, these are great for grilling or for stir fries. Because these eggplants have fewer seeds than other varieties, they also do well in mashed or pureed dips like baba ganoush. Roast them whole on the grill or directly on your oven rack (put a tray on the rack below to catch the drippings) until they’re a bit shriveled and collapsing. Let them cool, then scrape the creamy flesh into a bowl. Mash with roasted garlic, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and salt (or, for a silkier version, use a food processor). Stir in chopped mint and parsley.
Teardrop-shaped Italian or globe eggplants in purple-black are perhaps the most iconic. These meaty types stand up well to hearty preparations like stuffing or eggplant parmesan. Full Sun has Italian eggplants now, but expect them to be widely available in the next few weeks. Early in the season, these will be nearly as tender as the slender fairy tale and Asian varieties. For particularly large specimens, consider peeling before cooking, as the skins can be a little tough. As the season progresses or if an eggplant is on the older side, soak it in buttermilk to tenderize and remove bitterness.
Finally, though we haven’t come across any yet this season, be on the lookout for Thai eggplants. This green, golf ball–shaped variety has shown up at area markets in years past and are ideal for adding whole to Thai curries.
Farmers markets are abundant right now with tomatoes, summer squash, beans, corn, potatoes, okra, peppers, carrots, beets, greens of all sorts, peaches, plums, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and much more. You’ll also find a variety of meats, eggs, bread, cheese, fermented products, baked goods, and beverages. Find details about the farms and farmers markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.
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 Chef J. Chong (formerly of Cúrate) will be shopping for ingredients at the ASAP Farmers Market tomorrow, then demoing a recipe at 2 p.m. on Instagram Live (@jchong_eats). Try your hand at the dish, including products from ASAP Farmers Market, and submit your photos for a chance to win a $40 market gift certificate.
Here’s how to accept the Chef’s Challenge:
- Watch @jchong_eats demo the recipe on Instagram Live on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Or watch it later in the highlights or posted to ASAP's Facebook page.)
- Shop for ingredients at the ASAP Farmers Market on one of the next two Saturdays.
- Prepare the recipe and post a photo of your finished dish by Aug. 2. You can post on Instagram using the hashtag #appalachiangrownchefschallenge or in the comments of the Facebook post. (With your submission you grant ASAP the use of your photo on social media and other promotions.)
- ASAP will draw a winner on Monday, Aug. 3.
Happy cooking!
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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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Food banks have experienced an influx of people seeking nutritious food during COVID-19. Hear how ASAP is connecting local farms with food relief organizations to provide fresh produce during the pandemic on this week's Growing Local.
You can listen to all Growing Local episodes on SoundCloud, iTunes, or on ASAP's website.
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ASAP's Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program was featured by The Laurel of Asheville.
Mountain Xpress reports on tourism industry businesses cobbling together federal and local aid, including restaurants endeavoring to pay outstanding farmer invoices.
Haywood County–based wholesale distributor J.W. Johnson Tomato Company is now selling direct to consumers, a result of COVID-19 disruptions to the market, reports WLOS.
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