With farmers markets overflowing with summer produce, local food is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day! If you’re planning to spend some time outdoors with the father figure in your life this Sunday, try grilling some local meats and vegetables.
New potatoes are flourishing at farmers markets this week, with lots of varieties available. Look for them from
Gaining Ground Farm at
North Asheville and
River Arts District markets,
Sleight Family Farm at North Asheville Tailgate Market,
Smallholding Farm at
East Asheville Tailgate Market, and
Ten Mile Farm at
Asheville City Market. Slice smaller potatoes into halves or cut larger potatoes, into half-inch-thick slices. Toss with olive oil and your seasonings of choice in a large bowl. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and line with two layers of aluminum foil coated with cooking oil. Place your assortment of potatoes onto the foil, shut the lid of your grill, and let them cook for 30 minutes, making sure to flip halfway through!
Or bring some summer squash or broccoli into the mix!
Full Sun Farm is bringing some delicious zucchini, patty pan, and zephyr squash to both the North Asheville Tailgate Market and River Arts District Farmers Market. Make sure to add your squash after the potatoes, as they only need about 20 minutes on the grill until they’re cooked to perfection!
If you want to stick with meat for your main dish, try grilling chicken. Whole chickens are available from
Dillingham Family Farm at
Weaverville Tailgate Market or
Woven Roots Farmstead at
Black Mountain Tailgate Market.
Dry Ridge Farm has grill-ready pork chops, flank steaks, and other cuts of beef and pork at Asheville City Market.
If you don’t eat meat, grill a cauliflower steak instead!
Velvet Morning Farms is bringing some beautiful cauliflower to Asheville City Market. After removing the surrounding leaves, cut the bottom stem off your cauliflower and trim the sides. Cut into half-inch-thick “steak” slices. Grill with olive oil, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
We’re finally seeing some of our favorite summer fruits arrive at market! Lyda & Sons Family Orchard brought some delicious peaches to
Weaverville Tailgate Market this past Wednesday, and we expect
Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market) and Bright Branch Farms (East Asheville Tailgate Market) to have peaches in the next week or so. If you’re able to get some peaches this week, try grilling them for a few minutes on each side and topping off with a little honey for a satisfying dessert!
Visit Buncombe County’s newest market, the
Les-ter Farmers Market, on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. for over 20 different vendors who are bringing a variety of produce, including beef, goat cheese, eggs, beets, garlic, greens, and much more!
At farmers markets now you’ll also find lots of lettuce and greens, plus cucumbers, radishes, kohlrabi, carrots, and mushrooms. Markets are stocked with a variety of meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online
Local Food Guide at
appalachiangrown.org.
