A Visit to Black Mountain Tailgate Market

The town of Black Mountain has been close to my heart since I attended summer camp there back in the late 60’s.  This gentle town boasts a rare and completely captivating atmosphere of eclectic Appalachian culture.  Life there is comfortable, comforting, a little funky, mysterious and deeply inspirational. 

Black Mountain Tailgate Market has that familiar neighborhood feel that sets it apart from the other tailgate markets in the area. Located at 130 Montreat Road beneath a canopy of shady trees it is the perfect place to connect with local, organic and sustainable farmers, food craftspeople and artisans.  You’ll find everything from cooking classes to kids activities to music and fine conversation. 

I had a lovely conversation with Missy Huger who owns Jake’s Farm. She is acutely aware of pending legislation that endangers organic food, small farms and farmers.

Kids table

Milo Acres serves up tasty bites

Pretty aprons

Healthy plants from Harry Hamil of Black Mountain Farmers Market store. Harry and Elaine’s market is located at 151 S. Ridgeway Avenue in Black Mountain and offers products from local sustainable and organic sources. They carry a wide array of products including quail and turkey eggs, pheasant and salmon from The Salmon Guy.

Andrea Warren offers her line of Solo Eco-Friendly herbal products  


Morgan’s Mountain Products are “Mom tested and approved”

Highlander Farm

Foothills Family Farms representing a collection of small, family farms in the Foothills of NC

Their chickens were so plump I had to include a pic

Note the picture of little miss Kayla in the candle making process

Jennifer and husband Andy of Looking Glass Creamery

Hoopy hour

Bob, entering from stage left

Kohlrabi from Jake’s Farm. Makes a wonderful snack when chilled and sliced raw.

Jammy goodness

Strawberry Haiku

the wait is over
realization in red
temptation sated

Just-now picked berries from my raised bed garden.

The Great Cheese Contest ~ Looking Glass Creamery

A few months ago I discovered and posted about Looking Glass Creamery Cheeses and I have become a devoted fan. I have tried all the flavors and my current favorite is Chipotle which pairs nicely with a good quality local beer like Endless Summer Pale Ale from Pisgah Brewing.

I was delighted to finally meet Jennifer of Looking Glass Creamery at Black Mountain Farmers Market last week when she arrived with her delivery of cheeses. I met her husband, Andy at Black Mountain Tailgate Market on Saturday. Now, to shop local is one thing. To meet the folks who hand craft your food, well, it doesn’t get much better for me.

Back to the Great Cheese Contest! Looking Glass Creamery is asking us to help name their newest cheese! Check out their new blog, Asheville Cheese for all the details. Basically, submit your brilliant entry via contest rules and the winner receives one pound of Looking Glass Creamery cheese per month for July, August and September, a total of three pounds!

They are asking that naming submissions “be regional in character and/or related to an element (music, art, the outdoors, local culture, architecture, etc.) of Western North Carolina that make it such an amazing place to live.”

How cool is that?

Jennifer describes the new cheese as, “a charming little bloomy-rind crottin made from fresh goats milk. The round is aged for about 3 or 4 weeks. The result is a semi-soft body and slightly wrinkly rind. The flavor is mild with a distinct yet pleasant tangy finish.”

For inspiration you can check out the new cheese at Trout Lily Market in Fairview or on Saturday mornings at the Black Mountain Tailgate Market.

Weekend in WNC ~ BMW Motorcycle Rally

Friends old and new gathered at a picturesque retreat nestled deep in the Pisgah forest this past weekend to celebrate good times and motorcycles. Our friend John organized the annual rally and helped keep us well fed. Everyone pitched in with wonderful side dishes and plenty of adult beverages. John kept the coffee flowing courtesy of Hav-A-Cup in Asheville. The Organic, Free Trade Velvet Hammer Blend definitely lived up to the description: “Intense in every category. Sharp acidity and smooth, smoky flavor. The “Coffee Lovers” coffee.”

We split off in groups on Saturday morning and rode the beautiful back roads of Haywood and Transylvania counties. Others brought ATV’s and dirt bikes and ventured down to SC to off road trail parks. We headed home Sunday morning via the Blue Ridge Parkway through clouds and a light drizzle.

Thanks to everyone that had a hand in making this rally so enjoyable!

A Visit to Loretta’s

Had lunch today at Loretta’s and my chicken salad sandwich was so good I practically inhaled it. Bob had the Wednesday special, BLT, and our sandwiches were no less than 2 1/2″ thick. The bread is pure comfort food, and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe and juicy. Mine had spouts and super delicious creamy chicken salad with red onions. Yum!

Oven Baked Red Drum with Parmesan Sour Cream

Sciaenops ocellatus, a.k.a. Red Drum has a firm texture and a nutty, mild flavor. A popular fish (suzuki) for sushi and sashimi, it is also delicious baked, broiled, sautèed and grilled. My friend Chris shared this recipe for Red Drum topped with a rich tasting Parmesan cheese and sour cream topping. It has become a favorite at our house and makes a great presentation. Thanks to Cape Fear Coast Seafood and their day boat for providing fresh fish for our table.

Sunday Breakfast Omelet

Except for the butter which was organic, the oh-so-good Irish Tipperary cheddar cheese (which I’m not sure about), salt and pepper , everything else on the plate is from our local farmers. Eggs from Imladris, sausage from Maple Creek, asparagus and ching chang bok choy from Cane Creek Asparagus & Co. I steamed the bok choy 8 minutes, the asparagus about 5 then transferred it to cold water, before adding both to the omelet.

Sexy Sushi

Saturday lunch with Bob at Wasabi on Broadway. Such fun to sit outside and watch Asheville happen by.

A Visit to Asheville Wine Market

What better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon than at a wine tasting? Asheville Wine Market is one of several local wine shops that makes discovering new wines both interesting and fun.



Produced from 50 year old vines, we’ll allow this 2006 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais to age for a year or so. However, the 2007 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Cuvée Traditionelle Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes will be enjoyed Monday night with our dinner guest. We tasted the côté EST, a blend of 60% Grenache Blanc and Gris, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Marsanne that is refreshing, sophisticated and highly aromatic. We don’t have much practice buying sake but we’re getting better…!

A Visit to the Asheville City Market Saturday

We bought handmade Gnocchi from Rio Bertolini Pasta

Had coffee and an iced mocha from Counter Culture

Chatted with Garret and bought Kale at Jake’s Farm stand

Enjoyed the band (who are they??). They did a fine version of Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘A Night in Tunisia’

Finally Farm had a lovely booth

Here’s Wildwood Herbal’s stand with fresh, fragrant herbs

New Moon Herbs

Faerie Made Soaps

We also bought sausage from Maple Creek Farms. Although only a small number of vendors are represented here, all of them were happy and smiling on this beautiful spring day. The market was a celebration of inspiration and renewal. What a wonderful way to start the day!