Memorial Day marks the unofficial kickoff to summer (even if by the calendar we’re still four weeks out), and for many of us the urge to breakout the grill is strong. That doesn’t have to mean meat, though! Farmers markets have plenty of grill-ready veggies for you.
Most spring veggies, rubbed with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe some chopped herbs, grill up beautifully. The time for asparagus is fleeting, but you should still be able to get it from Root Bottom Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market). Fennel, cut into halves or quarters, is fantastic grilled. Look for fennel from Wild East Farm (River Arts District Farmers Market) and Sleight Family Farm(North Asheville Tailgate Market). Hakurei turnips (the small white ones, also called salad turnips) and radishes are available from numerous produce vendors. You can grill both in foil packets or on skewers to get that charred skin.
Garlic scapes are coming in now as well. These curlicues grow from the tops of garlic plants and have a slightly milder flavor than the bulbs. You can grill them whole and serve them as a side dish, or use them in a pesto to drizzle over everything else you have on the grill. Get scapes from Bear Necessities Farm (West Asheville and Asheville City markets), Gaining Ground Farm (River Arts District and North Asheville markets), and Sleight Family Farm.
What about fruit? You can grill strawberries too! These are great drizzled with balsamic for a salad, as a secret ingredient in your barbecue sauce, or just enjoyed over ice cream. Threading the berries on water-soaked skewers will make grilling a bit easier. Find strawberries from Full Sun Farm and Flying Cloud Farm (both at North Asheville and River Arts District markets), Bear Necessities Farm, Lee’s One Fortune Farm (Asheville City, Black Mountain, West Asheville, River Arts District, and East Asheville markets), Two Stones Farm + Mill (North Asheville) and others.
Just want some grill-ready meats? You have plenty to choose from, including sausages, pork chops, steaks, brisket, lamb chops, chicken, and ground meat for burgers. For chicken, look for Good Wheel Farm and Sugar Hollow Farm (both at North Asheville Tailgate Market) or Woven Roots Farmstead (Black Mountain Tailgate Market). For lamb, check out Sugar Hollow or Crow Fly Farms (Asheville City Market). Pork and beef are available from Dry Ridge Farm (West Asheville and Asheville City Market), Hickory Nut Gap Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Dillingham Family Farm (Weaverville Tailgate Market), and Crow Fly Farms. Caitlyn Farms (Enka-Candler Farmers Market) has beef products.
In addition to spring fruits and veggies, 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, prepared foods, and more. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including winter hours, in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
Written by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.