THE FRUIT OF OUR LABOURS: Farmers’ Markets
Fresh, tasty, local food - it’s the fervent desire of travelers everywhere, but all too often the pickings are slim. In North Carolina, though, residents and visitors alike can get a true taste of the local flavor at the state’s wonderful farmers’ markets. Nicole File samples the best the state has to offer.
Raleigh
The State Farmers’ Market in Raleigh showcases products from more than 700 farmers across the area. On any day, you can find a plethora of fresh produce (often picked that very morning), freshly baked goods, canned and preserved foods and handmade furniture, toys and crafts.
Because it’s the State Farmers’ Market, the Raleigh branch offers the best produce from all over North Carolina. The result is a full array of fruits and vegetables from March through most of November. Hydroponic vegetables, apples, greens and yams.
In the summer, the market really hits its stride. Strawberries and early asparagus arrive first, followed by blueberries, watermelons, artichokes and okra. This time of year, the much-anticipated sweet corn sells by the cob, the pound or (once you’ve had your first taste) the bushel. Seafood arrives so fresh that at least one avid seafisherman plans his weekend lures according to what’s for sale on Friday. Tomatoes of all kinds-from sturdy Beefeaters to sweet yellow Brandywines-make for the best possible sandwiches and salads. Locals cut several different kinds into a bowl, scrape an ear of raw sweet corn on top and mix in some olive oil and herbs. The taste is summer itself.
Piedmont Triad
The state-of-the-art Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Greensboro offers more than 30,000 square feet of space where you can buy directly from the farmers. A different space provides baked goods, jams and jellies, meats, a snack and ice cream bar, gifts, North Carolina wines and gourmet items.
Besides hams and sausages, the Triad market offers meats such as goat, lamb, rabbit and buffalo, as well as ostrich, duck, pheasant and grouse. Farm-fresh eggs, butter and cheese are also for sale. The market has its own line of excellent salad dressings and sauces. Try the sweet and tangy Vidalia Onion dressing or the Vidalia Onion Mustard for a southern summer delicacy.
You can treat yourself to homemade bread and any of several kinds of honey -poplar, wildflower, buckwheat, orange blossom or tupelo, to name a few. There’s also sorghum and molasses; you can even find bee pollen and “really raw honey,” a creamy, unprocessed type straight from the hive that includes pollen, enzymes and flavanoid-rich propolis (a mixture of tree sap and beeswax).
Charlotte
One of the best things about summer is fresh North Carolina peaches, and you can find plenty of these local treasures at the Charlotte Farmers’ Market. Peach season lasts just several precious weeks, but you’re in luck-the tastiest ones are available from June through most of August.
Like the other markets, the Charlotte one offers a grand selection of melons. You can sample several kinds of watermelon- cantaloupes are at their finest starting in June-and you can even try North Carolina’s own gift to melon lovers, the Sprite Melon. It has crisp, firm flesh that tastes like a cross between honeydew and pear, and can be up to 30% sweeter than other melons.
Local farmers and vendors will be glad to talk to you about their products-how to store, cook, preserve or even grow them. Best of all, the market is located just three miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Western North Carolina
Tucked into 37 acres of rolling pasture overlooking the world-famous Biltmore Estate is the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, located in Asheville, about 100 miles west of Charlotte. More than two million people visit each year, many of them tourists who make special time for a trip to this local attraction.
Western North Carolina is known for its tomatoes and apples, and you’ll find a staggering variety here. Organic, heirloom, hard-to-find or run-of-the-mill, someone will be selling what you’re looking for. There are even tomato and apple tasting festivals, set this year for August 19 and September 23, respectively, and over twenty varieties of tomatoes are sold in summer and early fall. Here, you can make friends with the incongruously rich Box Car Willie and the mellow Mr Stripey, or try out sweet Cherokee Purple tomatoes and juicy Black Russians. In the fall, about 25 different kinds of apples are sold. You might find Ginger Gold (available as early as July), Carolina Red Gold (even earlier), Arkansas Blacks and Sweets.
One of the WNC Market’s vendors cans all her preserves and chutneys herself-green tomato relish, pickled okra and more. Another was the Reserve Champion at the 2003 American Cured Meat Championships, and offers the renowned country ham whole or by the slice. NC Mountain sourwood honey is considered by many to be the champagne of honeys, and is available year-round.
Mild, rich North Carolina Hoop cheese is the perfect accompaniment to fresh apples or pears; or try some fresh chevre with pecan conserve and fresh figs. Wash it down with apple or Scuppernong cider.
Most of these markets also offer at least one restaurant. They typically serve three fresh home-style meals a day; the State Market in Raleigh also has a seafood restaurant. So whether you’re in the mood for a quick meal you make yourself, or a feast prepared from that day’s best ingredients, you’ll eat like a king at the farmers markets.
FARMERS MARKETS
State Farmers’ Market
1201 Agriculture Street Raleigh 919-733-7417
Piedmont Triad Farmers’ Market
2914 Sandy Ridge Road, Colfax 336-605-9157
Charlotte Farmers’ Market
1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte 704-357-1269
Western NC Farmers’ Market
570 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-253-1691