Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be your last chance to stock up for Thanksgiving goodies at the Tailgate Markets. Winter squashes and pumpkin usually show up on the table, and there should be lots of beauties to choose from. I am making this savory winter squash recipe as part of our Thanksgiving dinner. Lots of folks wouldn’t consider it Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie, although my family likes apple better. Look for fresh eggs (see corn pudding recipe), cheeses, meats, and (duh!) TURKEY. Better special order the turkey now before all the birds are gone.
Spinning Spider Creamery has two special holiday chevres - pumpkin and cranberry. I tasted them at the Montford market this Wednesday, and both are delicious. Local goat dairies abound in our area (aren’t we lucky!). Support your favorite cheese-maker and bring the easiest, most delicious treat to dinner. Chevre is slated for hors d’oeuvers at our house, along with those Roots & Branches Rosemary Crackers hopefully.
And, oh, the baked goods. If you aren’t going to have time to bake…don’t buy a pie at the grocery store. Get beautiful handmade pies from your favorite baker. Hey – the pie crust won’t be patched together either like my homemade ones can sometimes be! Chill out and contribute something gorgeous to dinner. Imagine these…hot market croissants as your dinner rolls. With butter. Wouldn’t that be heavenly?
Greens are so, so very tender and in season now. I fixed some unbelievably yummy greens from my garden the other night. It’s the frost that makes them sweet. Make some greens topped with caramelized onions and a splash of good balsamic vinegar.
Remember as you are cooking your Thanksgiving meal, include your family. Pass down your families treasured recipes and how to make them. Start new traditions. Toddlers love to help. Your middle schoolers will probably complain, but they’ll be very grateful ten years from now – when they realize they have a few cooking skills thanks to you.
Cheri's Winter Squash
THANKSGIVING & HOLIDAY MARKETS:
Asheville City Market will be CLOSED on Saturday, November 19 because of the Christmas parade. They are OPEN on Nov. 26 from 8-1, and on thru Dec.17 for their Holiday Market from 10-1.
City Market- South will be open on Wednesdays from 2-6 through Nov. 30 at Biltmore Park Town Square.
Black Mountain Tailgate Market celebrates their Holiday Market on this Saturday, November 19 from 10-1. The market location will be inside White Horse Black Mountain.
Also every Wednesday afternoon from 3-6 through December 28, a special indoor market – White Horse Farmers’ Market (indoor version of Black Mountain Tailgate) will be held at White Horse Black Mountain in Black Mountain.
Dillinghan Family Farm in Barnardsville hosts a Winter Market on Saturday mornings from 10-1.
Madison Farmers Holiday Market will be Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10-3 indoors at Fiddlestix in Mars Hill by the public library. They will be at Fiddlestix each Saturday through December 17.
Marshall Handmade Market will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 10-5 at Marshall High Studios on the island in downtown Marshall. Great place to find local handmade Christmas gifts. Can’t find the island? Ask anybody on the streets in Marshall.
Montford Farmers Market is open on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 2-dark. Get last minute Thanksgiving goodies and pick up special orders. Closed for the season after that.
Then at the same Montford Market location, but on Saturdays…9th Annual Holiday Bazaar which will be held on December 3, 10, and 17 at the Montford Farmer’s Market location (in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce parking lot) from 11-3.
North Asheville Tailgate Market will be open on Saturdays, November 19 & 26 from 8-12. UNCA
After that, many of the venders will be at the 9th Annual Holiday Bazaar which will be held on December 3, 10, and 17 at the Montford Farmer’s Market location (in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce parking lot) from 11-3.
Waynesville - Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market is open through December 17 on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8-1, indoors at the corner of Pigeon and Craven Streets.
Weaverville Tailgate Market will host special Holiday Markets on Wednesdays inside the Weaverville Community Center ~ Nov. 30 and December 7, 14, and 21 from 2-6.
Wednesday Co-op Market on Biltmore Avenue, some vendors and seafood still there on Wednesday afternoons from 2 – darkish.
West Asheville Tailgate Market will be open on Tuesday, November 22 from 2:30-5:30. Stock up for Thanksgiving! Celebrate the end of the season ~ Holiday Basket Sale.
Yancey County Farmers’ Market will be held inside at the Burnsville Town Center on Saturdays, November 19 & 26 from 9-1, followed by two Holiday Markets on Saturdays, December 3 & 10 from 9-3
