ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - September 16, 2022

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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The arrival of earlier sunsets, cooler mornings, and early fall produce at farmers markets all signify the official beginning of fall this coming week! At markets you’ll find many fall staples including sweet potatoes, winter squashes, apples, onions, and more! While we’re excited about the return of some of our favorite fruits and vegetables, it may also be your last chance to take advantage of late summer harvests! Don’t forget to grab some of the last peppers, peaches, melons, plums, okra, and figs. If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to the bounty of summer produce, now is the best time to experiment with different ways of preserving.

While fig season may seem short, this recipe for fig preserves will help make the honey-like, sweet flavor of the fruit last a little longer. Start by placing a pound and a half of fresh figs (stems removed) into a large pot, pour three and half of granulated sugar on top, then let sit overnight. After letting the figs and sugar sit for at least six hours, heat the pot on a stovetop over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved. After a few minutes, reduce the heat to low, and add half of a thinly sliced lemon, and cook for another two hours. The final product should be a thick, syrup-like consistency. Divide the fig preserves between three clean jars, and add some shelf life by canning or freezing. These fig preserves taste great on a freshly baked biscuit, or served on bread with goat cheese! McConnell Farms : [link removed] is selling the last of this season’s figs at North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]!

Make good use of the last of this season’s plums by making a delicious plum butter! Start by slicing your leftover plums (at least one pound) in half and remove the pit. Spread the plums evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet, and sprinkle one to two tablespoons of brown sugar on top. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in a 350-degree oven, then transfer plums with the skins and juices into a slow cooker. Add a vanilla bean, and set the slow cooker on high for two hours, adding half a teaspoon of almond extract towards the end. After two hours, remove the vanilla bean and puree until smooth with an immersion blender. Set the slow cooker on low, and cook for an additional 8 to 10 hours. You can preserve the plum butter for up to a year by canning and storing at room temperature, or by keeping it frozen. Refrigerated plum butter can last for about two weeks. 

Pickling is the way to go if you’re hoping to continue enjoying the unique taste of okra through the fall. Start this simple pickling process with a pound and a half of red or green okra, and three sterile, pint-sized canning jars. Divide your okra evenly between the three jars, then add one red chili and a teaspoon of fresh dill to each jar. You can also add garlic cloves, chopped onion, or another pepper of choice to your pickling mix! In a small saucepan, combine two cups of water, one cup of vinegar, and two tablespoons of salt, then bring to a rolling boil. Pour the hot brine over the okra and tightly seal the jars. Add your jars to a stockpot, then pour enough water to cover the jars by at least an inch. Bring the water to a boil, cover and process for 10 minutes. Find some okra and peppers for your pickling recipes from Ten Mile Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City Market : [link removed] and Black Mountain Tailgate Market : [link removed]), Olivette Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City Market and East Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), and many more vendors at market!

At farmers markets now you’ll also find apples, pears, tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, beets, leafy greens, mushrooms, 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 : [link removed].

Farm Tour Is This Weekend

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A few tips and reminders, if you're heading out to the Farm Tour this weekend!Farm Tour hours are noon to 5pm—with one exception: Crow Fly Farms in the McDowell Cluster will open at 1pm on Sunday (regular hours Saturday). Please respect farms and don't visit outside of Farm Tour hours.
Map your route and print directions. Cell service & GPS can be spotty on rural roads. Need help? You can find a Google map at tinyurl.com/farmtourmap : [link removed].
Pack your gear! That includes rain and sun protection, closed-toed shoes, water bottle, cash, and a cooler for any farm purchases.
When you arrive at the farm, check in with a volunteer at the Farm Tour table. Show your emailed receipt (print or save to your phone) for admission.
Take pictures! Tag @asapconnections and use the hashtag #asapfarmtour. Submit your favorite photos after the tour to win a pass to Farm Tour 2023 (contest details here : [link removed]).
Leave pets at home! They can pose a danger to livestock.Don't have your pass yet? You can still get one online! : [link removed] All passes must be purchased online; there will be no on-farm cash sales during the tour.

Connect with 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

9/16-9/17
Carolina Jubilee : [link removed]
 

9/17-9/18
ASAP’s 2022 Farm Tour : [link removed]
 

9/18
Mycorrhizals for Farm and Garden : [link removed]
 

9/19
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2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session- Waynesville : [link removed] 
 

9/21
Autumn Equinox Celebration + Fundraiser : [link removed]

9/22
2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session - Boone : [link removed]
2023 WNCAgOptions Information Session - Murphy : [link removed]
 

9/23
Equinox Botanical Walk with Abby Artemisia : [link removed]
 

9/24
September Farm Tour at Hickory Nut Gap Farm : [link removed]

Find more upcoming events (or post your own) at asapconnections.org : [link removed].

Local Food &  Farm News

The Smoky Mountain News : [link removed] features KT's Orchard and Apiary, one of the farms on ASAP's Farm Tour. “I’m hoping this farm tour, that we can kind of show people some of our daily life routines," says farmer KT Taylor. "And I hope it will inspire somebody they will want to farm and want to preserve their land. I think it’s good that people bring their children to see that it’s not all fun and games. It’s not just about picking apples,” she said. “You’ve got to care for that tree. You have to trim it, you have to mow, you have to spray, you have to take care of things.”

Bold Life : [link removed] features Farm City Day, which takes place Oct. 1 in Hendersonville. Farmer Gary Steiner of Bee-utiful Farm and Garden says, “Farm City Day is such a cool opportunity for folks to come together and realize that farmers carry the brunt of providing food.”



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

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