Tuesday Sundries - Farm Stands

One of the things which has helped during the past few weeks is the fact many of the small, local farm stands are open.

While we haven't been able to pick our own strawberries, we can at least stop and pick up a bucket of berries picked for us. And there is nothing like a 'real' strawberry, only hours from being on the plant.

McConnell Farms was recommended to us while we were in Hendersonville last week. So we detoured on our way out of town to give them a look.

Driving up to the 'store', we passed through fig trees on either side of the gravel driveway. Once there, was a stand with buckets of strawberries and apples. Lady K filled up her bag with a selection of apples you can't find in the grocery store and Texter and I looked over the jams and jellies.

And then we saw the sign for cider!

I wasn't sure how they would taste, but I came home with a half gallon each of peach and ginger-apple cider. As of now, they are gone. Empty jugs. Savvy just about downed the ginger-apple cider by herself and I threatened dire punishment if she so much as touched my peach cider. By the way, they grow their own ginger too!

Of course, it would only be right to try out the ice cream. Homemade with their ingredients, of course. 

While they don't grow black walnuts, they were from a local grower. Homemade Black Walnut ice cream!

They also had a selection of plants, mainly rhododendron and iris.

Not only do we have to come back to Hendersonville to visit Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, but I have to come back to stock up on cider! There is still the strawberry cider and a couple others to try.

But really, check out local farm stands. There is nothing like 'real food' only harvested hours earlier. Plus you are helping a local small business survive. And you can eat their product!