As we inch closer to the holidays and the official start of the winter season, we are drawn to gather around hearths and heartwarming stories, crafts and bright candles, music and mulled beverages, and, of course, nourishing meals.
Whether you’re the one hosting a gathering or attending someone else’s holiday festivities, there are plenty of sweet and savory treats available at farmers markets this week to nurture and connect you and your loved ones.
Wow your friends and family with a vibrant, delicious, and locally sourced charcuterie board! A holiday smorgasbord is an easy and delicious way to showcase some locally made, value-added products including cheeses, cured meats, freshly baked bread, jams and jellies, along with still available fresh produce.
Did someone say cheese? Arguably one of the most important ingredients of a charcuterie board, find a plethora of local cheese makers at farmers tailgate markets. Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery (North Asheville Tailgate Market) has a delicious assortment of artisan cheeses, including a classic cheddar, their signature “Ridge Blue” cheese, and even a cheese made with espresso! Find creameries upholding long standing traditions of raising their own herd for cheesemaking like Looking Glass Creamery at West Asheville Tailgate Market and Lane in the Woods at the Weaverville Tailgate Market. Prefer farm raised goat or sheep cheese? Spinning Spider Creameryoffers a delicious rosemary fig chevre perfect for the holidays and Three Graces Dairy has a seasonal winter rum raisin chevre from. Find them both at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. Grassroots Farm and Dairy (North Asheville and West Asheville markets) offers a variety of soft sheep cheeses. For the pimento lovers, find a variety of classic and seasonal pimento cheese dips from Ali Rae Foods at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. For the vegan or dairy-free guests, Darë Vegan Cheese (North Asheville) offers a collection of plant-based cheeses like a balsamic fig wedge and smoked pimento dip that will make you forget there’s no dairy on your smorgasbord!
Pair those delicious cheeses with a loaf or two or some freshly baked bread! Get perfectly baked sourdough loaves and baguettes from vendors like Simple Bread (Asheville City and West Asheville markets) and High Top Bread Co (Asheville City, North Asheville, and Weaverville markets). For gluten-free gatherings, look for Urban Peasants at River Arts District Farmers Market.
A charcuterie board isn’t complete without some umami and a few cured meat selections. Hickory Nut Gap offers a selection of salami and sopressata and Sunburst Trout offers a selection of rainbow trout products like hickory smoked dip, cold smoked filets, and jerky. For those who enjoy the flavors of fermented products, Serotonin Ferments (North Asheville, West Asheville, and River Arts District markets) and Fermenti (Weaverville Tailgate Market) offer a variety of delicious sauerkrauts and kimchis. Hummus is an easy crowd favorite that you can find locally crafted and in a variety of flavors from Sitto’s Hummus (North Asheville and River Arts District markets).
To add a little sweetness or freshness to your board, Windy Hollow (Weaverville Tailgate Market) and Imladris (North Asheville) offer a variety of jams, jellies, and apple butters. Find fresh fruit to slice onto your charcuterie board, like apples and persimmons, from vendors like McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Creasman Farms (Asheville City and North Asheville markets). Add a pop of color and freshness with sliced carrots and pink or purple daikon radishes from Wild East Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets) and New Roots Market Garden (North Asheville Tailgate Market). Get creative and arrange your charcuterie fixings to wow your guests and finish off your board with some fresh herb sprigs and some beautiful handcrafted pottery.
This week also marks your last chance to shop at Asheville City Market (Dec. 14) and all weekday farmers markets before the end of the year. West Asheville will finish their season on Tuesday, Dec. 17, followed by Weaverville and River Arts District markets on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The North Asheville and Black Mountain markets will host their last markets on Dec. 21.
Also spotted at markets in recent weeks: winter squash, carrots, beets, mixed greens, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, chard, collards, radishes, microgreens, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and scallions. Markets offer an abundance of farm-fresh eggs and meats, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. You can also get bread, cheese, pastries, fermented products, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including hours and location, in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.
Written by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.