Media outlets were abuzz about honey at the end of 2011, and it’s still making the news in the new year. Unfortunately, reports aren’t so sweet. The gist? The quality of most honey on store shelves is questionable. Fortunately, local beekeepers are ready to help you navigate the headlines. And, they say, it’s actually simple […]
There are several varieties of honey available locally. Generally, the first three weeks of May are the spring flow, when tulip poplar trees, locust trees, hollies, blackberries and more bloom. From this flow, beekeepers who are confident of the nectar/floral source label their honey specifically with the varietal: tulip poplar, locust, berry or berry blend. […]
Though the next growing season may seem far away, our area is still turning out plenty of local goods. Top on the list is local meat, the focus of ASAP’s December Get Local initiative, a project that puts the spotlight on an different seasonal and local product every month. In the past year, our local-meat […]
For the past year, Asheville-based trio Red June has crisscrossed the country in support of its 2010 release Remember Me Well. But in addition to spreading its brand of Americana music, Red June’s Homegrown Tour has also spread the word about WNC’s local food scene — via copies of ASAP’s Local Food Guide, bumper stickers […]
Ingredients: 1 small local pumpkin or winter squash Extra virgin olive oil 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes 3 egg yolks 1 ½ cups sifted flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg Special tools: Potato ricer Method: Cut squash in half. Scoop out seeds and pulp. Rub surface with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake […]
Who/What: Red June (and local squash!) When: Saturday, Nov 19, beginning at 9:30 p.m. (all ages) Where: Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave. Why: The Homegrown Tour is winding down. $1 from CD sales at shows benefit ASAP. In honor of the event, Jack of the Wood and Laughing Seed Cafe plan to offer […]
Find a last-minute jack-o-lantern at area farmers tailgate markets through this weekend. Hugh Wright of Arbor Studios is even slated to offer pre-carved, porch-ready pumpkins at Asheville City Market Saturday. Or, head out to roadside farm stands (perfect places to shop while on a leaf-peeping drive!) or area farm’s fields to pick your own. Visit […]
This time of year, Michael Porterfield’s farm turns into one giant pumpkin patch. He grows other cool-weather crops now, too — from carrots to radishes — at New Sprout Organic Farms near the Ingles warehouse on the way to Black Mountain. But, he’s got an entire acre dedicated to the festive fall veggie. Some find […]
This time of year, Michael Porterfield’s farm turns into one giant pumpkin patch. He grows other cool-weather crops now, too — from carrots to radishes — at New Sprout Organic Farms near the Ingles warehouse on the way to Black Mountain. But, he’s got an entire acre dedicated to the festive fall veggie. Some find […]
Find a last-minute Jack-o’-lantern at area farmers tailgate markets through this weekend. Hugh Wright of Arbor Studios is even slated to offer pre-carved, porch-ready pumpkins at Asheville City Market Saturday. Or, head out to roadside farm stands (perfect places to shop while on a leaf-peeping drive) or area farm’s fields to pick your own. Visit […]
How do we love thee, fall? Let us count the ways: local apples, beets, cheese, greens, lettuce, meats, pumpkins, radishes, turnips, winter squash … We could go on and on. How can you fall for local food, too? Take our advice, and it’s sure to be a heavenly cool-weather cooking season. Though a select few […]
It’s never too soon to start thinking of your Thanksgiving turkey. Many farmers will offer sign-up sheets at their tailgate booth in the coming weeks, so be sure to get on a list for your local bird. But that’s not all you’ll find at markets right now. Here are some of the smiling faces you’ll […]
Want to connect with other local food lovers? Check out ASAP’s new community site, which makes its full launch this fall(http://www.FromHere.org). Its goal? To serve as a central online space for the local food community to join in conversation. Visitors can share their favorite local food recipes, stories about their farm adventures, connect with ASAP […]
Here in the South, collards slow-simmered with a ham hock is a tradition — a staple that soothes and nourishes the soul. But collards aren’t the only local greens up for grabs this month, nor are they the only leafy veggie with a comforting culinary past. Embracing the green “Broccoli rabe reminds me of my […]
Molly and Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani share the secrets of their authentically green crowd-pleaser. Makes enough for a large family, with some left over (also great for a potluck dish). Paneer Ingredients: 1 gallon whole milk 1 pint half-and-half 1 quart whole yogurt 1 tsp of salt Method: To make fresh paneer at home, […]
If garlic has a cult following, WNC has its fair share of steadfast devotees. Not only do we eat it, but area farmers and home gardeners grow it. Lots of it. “We plant 300 pounds of seed a year,” says Anne Grier of Gaining Ground Farm, an Appalachian Grown Certified (TM) 75-acre operation run by […]
Got those change-of-season allergies? It’s no coincidence that WNC’s apple season officially kicks off when the sniffles start — a local apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? If you didn’t get your fall supply at the North Carolina Apple Festival earlier this month, don’t worry. September is all about apples in ASAP’s Get […]
Got those change-of-season allergies? It’s no coincidence that WNC’s apple season officially kicks off when the sniffles start — a local apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? If you didn’t get your fall supply at the North Carolina Apple Festival earlier this month, don’t worry. September is all about apples in ASAP’s Get […]
Scott Paquin and Elizabeth Gibbs used to grow 600 tomato plants a year on their farm in Yancey County. “We’ve dropped down to only 500,” Paquin says with a hint of sarcasm. They certainly have their hands full; Firefly Farm grows more than 30 varieties of vegetables. Along with apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches and pears, […]
WNC’s chefs have long embraced local produce on their menus. They challenge themselves to come up with innovative seasonal dishes every month through ASAP’s Get Local initiative — which puts the spotlight on a featured local product when at its best in the harvest. And local chefs are often the first shoppers in line when […]
HomeGrown Restaurant at 371 Merrimon Ave. specializes in local, seasonal, affordable food. Miki Kilpatrick, who owns the restaurant with her husband Greg Kilpatrick, talks about all of the ways that the restaurant uses local tomatoes during peak season. For more information about HomeGrown, visit http://slowfoodrightquick.com. Xpress: What’s your favorite tomato variety? MK: Any homegrown tomato, […]
