With less produce variety this time of year, now is the time to see what local meat producers have to offer! Whether you are hosting a lively gathering or cozying up with the family, farmers market meat options can bring a warm nourishment to your home.
Please note that Weaverville Tailgate Market is temporarily moving locations to accommodate early voting at the Weaverville Community Center. The market will be held at Weaver House (56 N. Main St.) on Feb. 11, 18, and 25 and will return to the community center in March.
Ropa vieja, a Cuban beef recipe, is an easy and delicious way to wow your guests using a slow cooker. To your slow cooker, add one cup of beef broth, six ounces of tomato paste, a fourteen ounce can of diced tomatoes, one and a half teaspoons of salt, a quarter teaspoon of pepper, a teaspoon each of oregano and ground cumin, half a teaspoon of ground turmeric, and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and stir. Add two pounds of beef flank steak or chuck roast and flip it around in the sauce to coat it. Lastly, add two diced bell peppers, one diced white onion, one cup of Spanish olives, and three whole garlic cloves, then mix the contents together. Cover and cook on low for 9 hours, or on high for 5 hours, without opening the lid while cooking. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can use a dutch oven by slow cooking everything at 300 degrees for three hours, or until the beef is tender. Shred the meat with two forks in the slow cooker after it's done cooking. Serve with yellow rice or tortillas to make tacos! You can find beef for this recipe from Dry Ridge Farm (Asheville City Market and North Asheville markets), Crow Fly Farms (Asheville City), and J4 Cattle (River Arts District Farmers Market).
Markets are stacked with pork options. Pair flavorful ground pork with fresh, crisp winter lettuce for these simple and sharable lettuce wraps. Start by heating oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of freshly chopped ginger and two cloves of minced garlic, and cook for a few minutes until fragrant. Wild East Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets) and McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market) still have frozen ginger from their 2025 harvest available. Next, add one pound of ground pork and cook for five to seven minutes until it is no longer pink. Add a quarter cup of hoisin sauce and one tablespoon of sriracha, and stir until combined. Separate the leaves of one head of romaine lettuce (or any lettuce variety of your choice), and spoon the cooked pork into the leaves. Add grated carrot, sliced scallions, and sesame seeds to serve. You can find ground pork from vendors like Sugar Hollow Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets), Hickory Nut Gap (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Dry Ridge Farm (Asheville City and North Asheville markets), and Dillingham Farm (Weaverville Tailgate Market).
At winter markets, find a variety of winter produce including greens, cabbages, potatoes, and root crops like radishes. You’ll also find farm-fresh eggs, cheese, bread, pastries, fermented products, 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.
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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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Save the date for ASAP's annual CSA Fair on Thursday, March 12, 3:30-6 p.m. at the YWCA of Asheville.
Find your farm share! CSA Fairs are a chance to meet local farmers face-to-face and learn more about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Ask questions about what products are included in the CSA box, the farm’s growing practices, payment options, and pickup locations. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. This event is free, open to the public, and family-friendly, with activities for kids and community connections.
A list of participating farms who have pickup locations in Buncombe County will be announced in mid-February.
Visit asapconnections.org to find CSA farms in WNC and surrounding states, see CSA products and pickup locations, and learn more about how CSAs work.
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