September at farmers markets can feel a little like standing with one foot in summer and the other in fall. It’s an especially good time to cook because you don’t really have to choose between seasons. Some of the best meals right now are the ones that let late-summer and early-fall ingredients share the plate.
One easy way to combine these seasons together into a recipe is a taco bar! With nearly endless combinations, you really can get the best of both worlds while everyone at the table gets to choose what they like. Decide on your filling options like ground beef, grilled chicken, shredded pork, or beans. You can go a classic route with your toppings with chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, fajita-style peppers and onions, grilled corn, and homemade salsa. Or you can try some unconventional options like cubed and roasted butternut squash, toasted pepitas (you can use the seeds from your butternut squash), shredded cabbage, homemade apple pico de gallo, pickled watermelon rind or red onions, and feta cheese. In just a few more weeks you’ll be able to find sweet potatoes and cauliflower, which make for great taco bar additions.
Find an assortment of meats from vendors like Dry Ridge Farm (Asheville City, North Asheville, West Asheville, River Arts District markets), Dillingham Family Farm (Weaverville Tailgate Market), Wild East Farm (Black Mountain and River Arts District markets), and Sugar Creek Meat (Leicester, Enka-Candler, and East Asheville markets).
More winter squash varieties including kabocha, delicata, acorn, long island cheese, honeynut, and butternut are becoming available from vendors including Sleight Family Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Flying Cloud Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets), Two Stones Farm (North Asheville, West, and River Arts District markets), and Olivette Farm (Asheville City, West Asheville, and East Asheville markets).
If you are ready to start thinking about soups, try out this roasted corn, tomato, and winter squash soup. Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Coat cubes of one delicata or butternut squash with three tomatoes, one sliced onion (or two leeks) and a few cloves of garlic with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any preferred spices. Bake on a sheet pan until caramelized, about 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, char three ears of corn kernels (separated) in an oiled skillet for about 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove your roasted vegetables from the oven and gently try to remove as much of the tomato skin as you can. Add the vegetables, corn, and four cups of chicken or vegetable broth to a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender or counter top blender in batches, puree your soup until smooth. If you want a creamier version, feel free to add some coconut milk or heavy cream. Top with pepitas, chili oil, crumbled cheese, and more.
Shopping at West Asheville Tailgate Market just got easier as there is now more free parking available to market customers. You can now park in the Haywood Road lot, right in front of the market, during market hours without fear of getting a parking ticket. If you regularly shop at this market, you know how long and challenging it has been to make this happen!
At markets now you’ll also find apples, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, garlic, onions, okra, fennel, arugula, salad greens, 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. 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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Help us welcome Tenley Reeder, ASAP's new Outreach & Engagement Coordinator! You might recognize her from RAD Farmers Market or Bounty & Soul.
As Tenley joins our team, that means you'll be hearing from her through this newsletter soon! Starting biweekly, you'll receive the Farmers Market Report from both Tenley and Oakley. Tenley is excited to share her seasonal recipes and fresh news from Buncombe County farmers tailgate markets.
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ASAP's Oakley Brewer spoke with the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) about upcoming agritourism activities across WNC, including next weekend's Farm Tour, noon to 5 p.m. each day.
Depending on the farm stop, Oakley shared that visitors can, "can feed alpacas, pet goats, pick your own flowers or apples, view bison, enjoy wine, and purchase farm-to-table food and drinks," and more!
View farms and get your car pass at asapconnections.org.
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