As we fully step into the holiday season, you might be planning for visiting family and friends! Whether you’re the one hosting, or attending someone else’s holiday festivities, there’s plenty of sweet and savory treats available at markets this week to entertain with. For an easy and delicious collection of holiday offerings, try assembling a quick smorgasbord with local cheeses, jams, baked goods, sweets, and much more!
 
For cheeses, local vendors have plenty of variety to keep guests happy. Three Graces Dairy is selling a delicious seasonal cranberry-orange cheese, in addition to an assortment of other wonderful flavors. They can be found at Asheville City, West, and North Asheville markets. Spinning Spider Creamery is also offering a collection of goat cheese flavors at the River Arts District Farmers Market, including a soft rosemary fig chevre that everyone will love. For any dairy-free guests this holiday season, Darë Vegan Cheese has an appetizing collection of vegan cheeses that even dairy lovers will enjoy! Their seasonal riesling apricot brie is the perfect holiday party favor.
 
Pair your assortment of cheeses and jams with some freshly baked bread from local bakers! Vendors like Hominy Farm (River Arts District and North Asheville markets), Simple Bread (West and Asheville City market), Heater House Bakery (River Arts District), and High Top Bread Company (Weaverville Tailgate Market)  are selling delicious sourdoughs, pita, and baguettes to compliment any local cheese flavor. For a gluten-free option, Urban Peasants offers a variety of gluten-free sourdough breads, including their coriander raisin flavor this week (River Arts District Farmers Market). 
 
For a few more savory additions, try including a few pickled goods from vendors like Serotonin Ferments! Their pickled beets, radishes and jalapeños are perfect for incorporating a few fermented snacks into your holiday celebration. You can find them at the West, North, River Arts District, and Asheville City markets.
 
Finally, for some sweeter holiday offerings, include some pastries and chocolates available at markets! Look for macarons, canelés, stroopwafels, and other yummy snacks from Beeswax and Butter at West Asheville, River Arts District, and Asheville City markets. Conjure Craft Chocolates is also offering a variety of seasonal holiday chocolate flavors, including orange & cranberry, and gingersnap, and marshmallow! They’re selling their small-batch, bean to bar chocolates at Asheville City Market. 
 
At farmers markets now you’ll also find carrots, broccoli, beets, cabbage, radishes, turnips, winter greens, apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, garlic, onions, and 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.