Though we’re certainly getting cold temperatures now, a warmer than usual December accounts for lots of produce variety at winter farmers markets now. In addition to storage veggies like squash and sweet potatoes, hardy greens like kale and mustard, and winter stalwarts like radishes and salad turnips, we’ve also spotted early snow peas and broccoli.
Snow peas, available from Lee’s One Fortune Farm at ASAP Farmers Market and River Arts District Farmers Market, offer a sweet crunch for snacking or making meals. They pair well with radishes, which are plentiful at markets now. Look for pink and purple daikon in addition to the traditional red ball radishes from Highgate Farm at the River Arts District market.
For a tangy winter salad, slice snow peas diagonally on the bias and toss with thinly sliced or julienned radishes. Dress with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Or stir-fry whole snow peas with radish wedges and season with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and chili flakes. Serve alongside rice from Lee’s One Fortune Farm for a full meal. This would also be a good opportunity to use some of J. Chong’s chili oil, available at ASAP Farmers Market.
Broccoli is available in several forms at markets right now. Highgate Farm has traditional broccoli, while Lee’s One Fortune Farm has Chinese broccoli (or gai lan) and broccoli rabe. Any of these would be great for a Szechuan-style dish with ground pork or mushrooms. Pick up pork from Dry Ridge Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, or Warren Wilson College Farm at ASAP Farmers Market. Get mushrooms from Black Trumpet Farm or Asheville Fungi (both are at ASAP Farmers Market; Black Trumpet is also at the River Arts District market).
Cut whatever type of broccoli you have into two-inch pieces. Sauté in neutral oil over high heat for about two minutes, until bright green. Remove from pan. Add more oil to the pan, reduce heat to medium, and sauté minced ginger, garlic, and a dried birds eye chili. Add ground pork or sliced mushrooms. Cook until browned. Whisk together one tablespoon of mirin, one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar, two teaspoons of soy sauce, and a fourth cup of water or stock. Add to the pan and cook for another minute. Return broccoli to the pan and stir to combine everything, until liquid is almost evaporated. Remove from heat. Stir in half a teaspoon of sesame oil and top with sliced scallions. Serve over rice.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region, even in the winter. 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.
|
|
Save the Date for CSA Fairs
|
ASAP will host two CSA Fairs this year: Feb. 10 at the Hendersonville Community Co-op and March 11 at YWCA of Asheville. Both fairs are 4-7 p.m. and are free to attend.
With a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program, you purchase a "share" of a farm's harvest at the beginning of a season, then get a weekly box of the freshest produce, meat, or other farm goods. Curious to find out more? CSA Fairs are a great opportunity to ask your questions. You can meet face to face with farmers and find out about their products, growing practices, share size, payment options, and more. Find out more about the fairs and check back for a list of participating farms.
|
|
|
ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.
|
|
|
|
|
Chow Chow, the Asheville culinary festival launched in 2019, will return over three weekends in 2022, reports the Asheville Citizen Times. Said festival director Rebecca Lynch: “We’ll be continuing to plan events and programming that are deeply centered in our community and our region as well as still looking at those overarching themes — not just of our Southern Appalachian foodways but conversations around racial justice, climate change, resilient agriculture, food insecurity and food justice,” Lynch said.
|
|
|
|
|
