ASAP | From Here | Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

An all-local Thanksgiving dinner is a lofty goal, but probably impractical (and could add some additional stress to the holiday for sure). Some traditional ingredients, like green beans or corn, have passed their peak harvest season here in Western North Carolina, so if you didn’t freeze some back in September, you might be out of luck now. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find local cranberries or pecans. But there are ways to feature something local in each dish, if you’re up for the challenge!
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This Thanksgiving recipe comes from Events Coordinator Amy DeCamp.

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We never fail to get excited about the fact that we can get locally grown rice in the Western North Carolina mountains. Lee’s One Fortune Farm has had its fall harvest available in limited quantities for the past couple of weeks at many farmers tailgate markets, including purple and brown rice varieties. The flavor of rice this fresh elevates even the simplest preparations, but Korean bibimbap is a dish that can really highlight all the best of your market haul.

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Will you be dying eggs this weekend? More farmers tailgate markets vendors than ever are selling eggs right now, so this is a great chance to go local with your Easter, Passover, Earth Day, or other springtime celebrations. With many cartons containing a pretty mix of blue, brown, and white, you could go minimalist and skip the dye altogether. But if colored eggs are non-negotiable, we have a few food-based suggestions to avoid artificial food coloring. These dyes will work on both brown or white eggs, though the resulting color will vary.

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We’re nearly in the home stretch of summer. Just one more month and autumn will be upon us. In the meantime, while many of us bemoan the persistent heat, let’s not overlook the last of the magical abundance of the season, as we also welcome the very first signs of fall. Read the rest of this entry »

Outdoor farmers tailgate markets are finally here! The following Buncombe County tailgate markets will open this week: Asheville City Market (April 2), Leicester Farmers Market (April 2), North Asheville Tailgate Market (April 2), and West Asheville Tailgate Market (April 5). See the full list of tailgate market opening dates across Western North Carolina. Read the rest of this entry »

Routines make up our lives. Some routines are daily, others weekly. For many, visiting indoor winter tailgate markets is part of their regular, Saturday routine. What these routines look like vary by individual and family, but one routine might look something like this: Read the rest of this entry »

Winter farmers tailgate markets may be smaller than their counterparts during the other seasons of the year, but that doesn’t mean that they’re any less remarkable or exciting! They are still filled with a plethora of delicious farm-fresh products, baked goods, and more! What can you expect to find at winter markets? Read on to find out. Read the rest of this entry »

Along with the weather, trees, and wildlife, area farmers tailgate markets are in transition this time of year. Some markets are still operating under winter schedules, while others are opening outside for the first time this year. Be sure to check the dates and hours of your favorite markets before heading out. Read the rest of this entry »

Absolutely nothing compares to a truly farm fresh breakfast — the smell of potatoes, garlic, and onions frying, or good ol’ bacon and eggs. Find the highest quality and freshest breakfast ingredients at area winter farmers tailgate markets. Read the rest of this entry »