Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Spring produce is best known for its bright, crisp varieties, including sugar snap peas and kohlrabi. Both have made their first market appearances this year, but still only in small quantities, so get there early if you want to catch these treats.

Sugar snap peas have a short season, so they’ll only be around for a few weeks. They’re ephemeral nature makes them that much more exciting. Kohlrabi has a much longer season, so if you don’t get some now, you’ll have plenty of opportunities. Both vegetables have a satisfying crunchy bite to them packed with sweet spring flavor. And both are great to eat in salads.

What you might not know about sugar snap peas and kohlrabi? They’re also wonderful cooked. Sure, you don’t think to cook sugar snap peas, but they’re delightful sauteed in some butter and garlic. And kohlrabi can be sliced thickly and grilled for fun and great taste! (Just make sure to cut the exterior off of the kohlrabi first, it is thick and hard to bite through.) Find the first kohlrabi from Highgate Farm (Weaverville Tailgate MarketBlack Mountain Tailgate Market, and West Asheville Tailgate Market) and some of the first sugar snap peas from Full Sun Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and River Arts District Farmers Market).

The very first zucchini and yellow summer squash have debuted from Blue Meadow Farm (Black Mountain Tailgate Market, Asheville City MarketAsheville City Market – South, and West Asheville Tailgate Market). More is set to be at market in the coming weeks, but these early arrivals fly off of the farmers’ stand.

Garlic scapes have also started trickling in. These slender parts of the garlic plants have a mild garlic flavor and crunchy texture. You can substitute them into any application you would garlic. Consider balancing their texture by adding them to pasta or rice dishes.

Strawberries are more abundant than they’ve been in the past weeks, and soon (but not yet) other fruits will start to join them! Check here over the season to find out the latest of what’s fresh at area farmers tailgate markets each week.

Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. Check out the full list of spring market opening dates across the region. 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.

(Prepared by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.)