Despite some snow last weekend and colder temperatures, produce vendors still have plenty to offer at farmers markets! Look out for a variety of root crops at markets this week, including carrots, sweet potatoes, radishes, and beets. Try incorporating more local root vegetables into your meals this week with these easy recipes! 
 
This carrot and sweet potato soup is a simple and delicious way to warm up on colder evenings. In a large pot, melt four tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add two chopped yellow onions to the pot, and cook for about 10 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring frequently. Toss in a tablespoon of curry powder and cook for another minute. Add one pound of carrots (peeled and chopped), two small sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped), eight cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian recipe), and two teaspoons of salt. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender. Stir in one peeled and chopped honeycrisp apple and two tablespoons of honey. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, wait until the soup is slightly cooled, then puree with a countertop blender in batches. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and honey, then serve! You can find carrots for this recipe from Smallholding Farm at the River Arts District Farmers Market and Velvet Morning Farms at Asheville City Market. Lee’s One Fortune Farm has sweet potatoes for this soup at Asheville City and River Arts District markets as well. 
 
A simple salad is the best way to enjoy purple daikon radishes! Start by washing and peeling one purple daikon radish and two to three carrots, then using a sharp knife or julienne peeler, julienne the veggies and place into a bowl. Thinly slice two green onions and add to the bowl. Prepare your salad dressing in a separate bowl by whisking together two tablespoons of sesame oil, one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, the juice of half a lime, then garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Top your salad with sesame seeds if you like. You can find purple daikon radishes for this recipe from Olivette Farm at Asheville City Market and Highgate Farm at River Arts District Farmers Market. 
 
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.