ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - July 29, 2021

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Okra is a favorite among southerners and, when cooked right, is quick to win over those who are not as familiar with the vegetable! Whether you fry, grill, roast, or pickle it, the wide variety of uses and unique taste of okra makes it the perfect main dish or side to any meal this summer. You can find okra this week being sold by Gaining Ground Farm : [link removed] (River Arts District : [link removed] and North Asheville : [link removed] markets), New Roots Market Garden : [link removed] (West : [link removed] and North Asheville markets), Ten Mile Farm : [link removed] (Black Mountain : [link removed] and Asheville City : [link removed] markets) and Smallholding Farm : [link removed] (East Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]). 
 

A classic way to cook okra is, of course, by frying it! While it may seem simple enough, it doesn’t hurt to have a recipe to follow in order to perfect the crunchy, golden brown goodness that is fried okra. After making this recipe once, you’ll want to have fried okra with every meal! Start by slicing 10 okra pods into one-fourth-inch-thick slices. Beat one large egg, then soak okra in the egg for five to ten minutes. While your okra is soaking, mix together one cup of cornmeal, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper in a bowl. Remove okra from the egg and dredge in the cornmeal mixture until evenly coated. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully place in your okra. Stir continuously, lowering heat after a few minutes, cooking until golden brown. Transfer okra from the skillet to a paper towel and drain any excess oil. Enjoy by itself or with your sauce of choice!
 

If you’re sensitive to fried foods or looking for a healthier way to cook with okra, try fixing up a delicious okra succotash! This easy dish uses the seasonal veggies of the summer to make a colorful side that won’t disappoint. Start by heating vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add one sliced red onion to your pan and sauté until translucent. To the same pan, add three cups of chopped okra, two cups of halved cherry tomatoes, and two cups of fresh corn kernels cut off the cob. Season with salt and pepper and any other herbs or spices you want. Cover the pan and stir ingredients occasionally for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tomatoes begin to blister. If you’re not a fan of the sometimes slimy consistency of okra when cooked, the acidity of the tomatoes does a great job of making the texture a little more palatable. You can enjoy this succotash by itself, or use it as the stuffing in a tortilla!
 

Corn needed for this recipe is being sold by Creasman Farms : [link removed] (North Asheville, Black Mountain, and Asheville City markets), Gibson Berry Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market), and Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed] (West Asheville, East Asheville, River Arts District, Black Mountain, and Asheville City markets). Lots of vendors are beginning to bring onion varieties to market as well, including Full Sun Farm : [link removed] and Flying Cloud Farm : [link removed] at both North and River Arts District markets.
 
At farmers markets now you’ll also find peaches, plums, nectarines, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers, garlic, beans, new potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets, leafy greens, and much more. 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 : [link removed].

Farm Tour Volunteers Needed!

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Want to support ASAP while also having a great time getting to know a local farm? We need volunteers to help staff the Farm Tour : [link removed], Sept. 17-18! Spend one weekend afternoon (11:30 to 5) welcoming visitors at a participating farm, and tour for FREE on the day you aren't working. Your free pass also includes anyone riding with you in your vehicle. Find out more and sign up to volunteer! : [link removed] Us

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appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | fromhere.org : [link removed]
asapconnections.org : [link removed] | growing- : [link removed] : [link removed]
 
Donate to support local food, strong farms, and healthy communities today! : [link removed]
 
ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.

Upcoming Events

7/30
Urban Garden Tour and Tasting with Bountiful Cities : [link removed]
 
8/3
School Garden Training : [link removed]
 

8/4
Telling Your Story: Using Evaluation and Other Tools to Share Your Organization’s Impact : [link removed]
 

8/11-8/12
Basics of Dairy Foods : [link removed]
 

8/13
Growing Faith Farms Grand Opening : [link removed]
 

8/17
Farm to Preschool Training : [link removed]
 

8/27
Farm Fresh for Health Regional Symposium at Hendersonville Farmers Market : [link removed]
 
Find more upcoming events (or post your own) at asapconnections.org : [link removed].

Local Food &  Farm News

Chris Smith of The Utopian Seed Project makes a case for the under-appreciated Southern pea in Edible Asheville : [link removed]. "The crop that should be at the top of every gardener’s summer legume list is the Southern pea. And yet, it is often over-looked or undervalued," he writes.



ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801

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