From homemade marshmallows to batch cocktails, Asheville-area chefs and beverage experts share inspiration for gifts from the home kitchen.
Farming on faith: A look at WNC’s truffle-growing underground
Experimentation with cultivation of the prized subterranean fungus began in earnest in WNC nearly 10 years ago with a test orchard in Waynesville. But the handful of local truffles farmers are still patiently waiting to see the fruits of their labors.
Appetite for Life: Recipes for a new year
By working with the seasons, riffing off familiar recipes and being creative with embellishments, the regular contents of your kitchen can be infused with new life in 2020.
Appetite for Life: Heirloom apples are rich in flavor and history
A simple apple crisp can be an easy, creative way to highlight locally grown fruit.
Appetite for Life: Spring salads reach from palette to palate
May is the perfect month to begin adding color to the menu with salads made from locally sourced edibles.
Koji claims the culinary spotlight
Local fermentation expert Meredith Leigh will present a workshop on preserving food with the koji mold at the Mother Earth News Fair.
Mountain roots: Asheville digs into the culinary uses of kudzu
Although originally lauded for its ability to stop erosion, kudzu fell from grace when its vigorous vines started to take over the landscape of the South. But a group of Asheville permaculture enthusiasts choose to view the plant in a more favorable light.
Nuts in the kitchen: Acornucopia Project envisions an edible future for WNC
A network of local chefs, bakers and food artisans is working with the regional collective to develop innovative culinary uses for WNC’s native tree nuts.
Fermenting fervor: Tips from Asheville food artisans on DIY probiotic veggies
It’s easy to make fermented sauerkraut and pickles at home using just a few simple ingredients and inexpensive supplies.
Take it outside: Asheville gets creative about eating outdoors
Local authors, chefs and bakers dish up ideas for imaginative open-air feasts.
Preservation society: Pickling and canning WNC’s summer harvests
With everything from blueberries to beets ripening at WNC gardens and farms, it’s time to get busy preserving the bounty for the months to come.
From root to glass: Home winemaking in Beer City
Using Western North Carolina’s spring and early summer harvests of herbs, fruits — and even vegetables — intrepid DIY enthusiasts can easily make wine at home with minimal equipment.
Adventures in foraging: Looking for greenbrier, or Smilax
Greenbrier shoots, or Smilax rotundifolia, get an early start on spring, but they’re still out and plentiful, ready to be snapped off and enjoyed raw or cooked.
How to master the fundamentals of home schooling
From the Get It! Guide: Pulling a child out of traditional school or deciding to homeschool from the start can seem daunting . But local experts say there are many ways resources to help parents navigate their options, including homeschool networks right in Asheville.
How to start a community tailgate market
From the Get It! Guide: Community tailgate markets are a labor of love that offer communities a place to gather while also providing access to fresh, local foods. If you’re thinking about organizing a market in your neighborhood, here’s some steps to consider.
How to become a donation hunter
From the Get It! Guide: Donation hunters provide meat for underprivileged families and food relief agencies like MANNA FoodBank.
How to be a sustainable employer
From the Get It! Guide: Whichever way employers define “sustainable,” incorporating the effort into the workplace requires creative thought and effort.
How to become an urban farmer
From the Get It! Guide: The process of becoming an urban farmer offers a quick learning curve full of chances for success or for failure. Start your journey by learning how to navigate the restrictions, requirements and resources of an urban farmer.
How to lobby your local government
From the Get It! Guide: Government is pervasive and omnipresent that it may be easy to think that an individual voice will not be heard. But Timothy Sadler doesn’t think that’s the case — in fact, he says, getting involved in local government is just a matter of learning the ropes.
Why grow herbs: A guide to herbal sustainability
From the Get It! Guide: Cindy Trisler and Rodney Bowling discuss how to grow your herb garden sustainable.
How to protect your pollinators
From the Get It! Guide: Pollinators worldwide are in decline, and like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, they’re giving us a warning we should heed. Fortunately, there are ways we can promote and encourage pollinators in today’s challenging environment.