November and Daylight Savings Time are around the corner. This week marks the final days for a couple of farmers tailgate markets in Buncombe County, with a change in hours coming at others. After today’s market, you’ll have one more chance to visit East Asheville Tailgate Market, on Oct. 30. Enka-Candler Tailgate Market’s last day is this Thursday, Oct. 29, though some vendors will return for a two-day weekend holiday market Nov. 14 and 15. Starting Nov. 3, West Asheville Tailgate Market will change its hours to 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. (instead of 6:30), but remain outdoors at Grace Baptist Church through December. Weaverville Tailgate Market is moving indoors at Reems Creek Nursery on Nov. 4 and changing its hours to 2 to 5 p.m. (instead of 2:30 to 6).
There are still plenty of fall treats to be had as we move into shorter days. One goodie we look forward to every year is Full Sun Farm’s popcorn on the cob. This makes a great gift or alternative to sugary Halloween snacks! Place the dried cob in a brown paper bag with the ends folded over a few times and microwave for about three minutes, until the popping slows to two to three seconds. You can also remove the kernels and pop in a lidded saucepan on the stove. Season with salt and butter (or your favorite mix of herbs and spices) and enjoy! Get popcorn on the cob now at River Arts District Farmers Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market.
Olivette Farm at ASAP Farmers Market has both purple and white cauliflower. Buy one of each and see if you can taste the difference! (Purple cauliflower gets its color from the antioxidant anthocyanin, which is also found in red cabbage and red wine.)
Sweet potatoes are available from many farm vendors in orange, white, or purple-fleshed varieties. For a special treat, take home a container of small-batch sweet potato ice cream made locally by The Hop with purple sweet potatoes from Lee’s One Fortune Farm. Both dairy and vegan versions are available. Look for it at ASAP Farmers Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market, or East Asheville Tailgate Market.
At markets now you’ll also find apples, muscadine grapes, pears, winter squash, carrots, beets, leafy greens, broccoli, and much more. In addition to produce, markets offer an abundance of meats, cheese, bread, eggs, fermented products, baked goods, and beverages. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
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Meet Your Farmer:
Last Penny Farm Alpacas
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Join Erin Greene and junior farmers Jacob and Sadie—as well as an adorable cast of alpacas—in our latest Meet Your Farmer and Junior Farm Tour episode with Last Penny Farm Alpacas. Accompanying lesson plans and activities for kids are available as well.
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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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Farmers markets are a little different during a pandemic, but having fun with local food is still going strong. Hear how the Transylvania Farmers Market and ASAP are finding creative ways to offer market activities online. Hear more 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 Molly Nichole is quoted in a history piece about sorghum in The Laurel of Asheville.
The Mountain Xpress features Zadie's Market and Mother Earth Produce, two online grocery models that offer local farm products and have grown significantly during the pandemic.
This year's WNC Fermentation Festival has been reinvented, reports the Mountain Xpress.
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