ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - February 10, 2023

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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While locally grown cut flowers for a Valentine’s Day gift may be hard to come by at farmers tailgate markets this time of year, there are plenty of other ways to incorporate local produce into this special holiday! Markets have plenty of colorful produce to coordinate an at-home Valentine’s Day meal, including sweet potatoes, radishes, leafy greens, and more! 
 

This delicious (and easy) frittata recipe uses farm fresh veggies to make a Valentine’s Day breakfast for that special someone. Start by peeling and cutting one medium sweet potato into quarter-inch slices. To a microwave-safe bowl, add the sweet potato slices and two tablespoons of water, then cover. Microwave on high for five to six minutes until the potato is tender. Whisk together seven large eggs, three tablespoons of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. In an oven-safe skillet, cook six bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and set aside on paper towels. In the same skillet, sauté one chopped green pepper, half a cup of chopped red onion, and two cups of coarsely chopped fresh kale for 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the egg mixture, potato slices, and bacon, and cook for two minutes until the eggs are partially set. Transfer the skillet to a 375-degree oven, and bake for five to seven minutes until the eggs are set. Cut into wedges and serve! You can find kale from Thatchmore Farm : [link removed] at North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]. Bacon is available from Dry Ridge Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville and Asheville City : [link removed] markets) and Sugar Hollow Farm : [link removed] at North Asheville Tailgate Market. 
 

Sometimes radishes are best enjoyed simply by themselves! Take advantage of the bounty of radishes at farmers markets this weekend by making this vibrant salad, which is naturally reminiscent of the signature Valentine’s colors of red, pink, and purple. Start by washing and trimming one pound of mixed radishes (we recommend watermelon, french breakfast, and purple daikon radishes), then thinly slice with a mandolin or knife. Place your slices into a large bowl, season well with kosher salt, then squeeze and scrunch the radishes several times with your hands to work in the salt. Freshly squeeze the juice of one lemon (saving the rinds), and grate one-and-a-half ounces of parmesan cheese directly onto the radishes and toss well. In a separate bowl, whisk together another ounce and a half of grated parmesan cheese, half a cup of chopped basil, and two tablespoons of olive oil. Add the mixture onto the radishes and toss again until well coated. Serve by transferring desired amount to a plate, then drizzling with a little more olive oil, sprinkling sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and lastly, finely grating lemon zest over your salad. You can find beautiful radish varieties from vendors like Ten Mile Farm : [link removed] andVelvet Morning Farms : [link removed] at Asheville City Market and Highgate Farm : [link removed] at River Arts District Farmers Market : [link removed]! 
 

This baked potato recipe uses the colorful stalks of rainbow chard and vibrant insides of a sweet potato for an appetizing addition to a Valentine’s Day dinner. Bake your sweet potato. While it is still warm, cut the potato lengthwise and gently pull open. Using a fork, fluff the inside of the potato and add half a tablespoon of coconut oil and salt to taste. Continue to fluff until the coconut oil is melted and thoroughly combined. Heat another half tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat in a skillet, then add one clove of sliced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Add two cups of thinly sliced rainbow chard and a teaspoon of lemon juice, and cook until the greens begin to soften. Add a splash of water, cover the skillet, and turn off the heat, letting it stand for another minute. Stuff the cooked chard into the sweet potato, then sprinkle on toasted coconut chips and pomegranate arils. You can find sweet potatoes for this recipe from Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed], and rainbow chard from Mighty Gnome Market Garden : [link removed] at Asheville City 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 : [link removed].

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

2/11
ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference : [link removed]
 

2/13
Small Farm Boot Camp: Small Fruit Production : [link removed]
 

2/16
The Basics of Growing Fruits & Berries : [link removed]
 

2/20
Small Farm Boot Camp: Season Extension : [link removed]
 

2/23
New to Vegetable Gardening? : [link removed]
 

2/24-2/26
30th Annual Spring Conference 2023 : [link removed]
 
Find upcoming events (or post your own) at
asapconnections.org : [link removed].

News from ASAP

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ASAP's Business of Farming Conference Is Tomorrow!14 workshops : [link removed] (including 8 new); 19 buyers participating in the Grower-Buyer Meeting : [link removed]; 20 exhibitors : [link removed]; 9 experts offering 1:1 sessions (including lawyers, business coaches, and Extension agents); and 2 amazing, locally sourced meals! There is still (barely) time to register. Find out more. : [link removed] & Farms in the News

“When I was really young I thought I would be a chef and cook for a living,” says Evan Chender, farmer and owner of The Culinary Gardener. “Those were the jobs I had as a kid and young adult. But I also started experimenting with growing things in my backyard and realized I really enjoyed that.” Read the rest of the profile in this month's AIRfare : [link removed], the newsletter of Asheville Independent Restaurants.
 
The Mountain Xpress : [link removed] features Shaniqua Simuel, who is on a mission to help her community eat a healthier diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to Change Your Palate, her meal-preparation program, "Simuel helps run the Shiloh Community Garden along with Chloe Moore, Lydia George. Members of the Shiloh community in Asheville—including Simuel’s late grandfather Moses Simuel, former president of the Shiloh Community Association—established the garden."



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

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