Photo by Joye Ardyn Durham
WNC Garlic Fest Comes to Asheville’s South Slope
The third annual WNC Garlic Fest, created by Sow True Seed, will take place Saturday, October 1, from 12–6 p.m. in Asheville’s South Slope. The event includes workshops as well as the WNC Garlic Trail, which begins at 146 Church Street, Asheville. Local vendors will offer a variety of garlic-related items, with tastings including garlic hummus from Roots Hummus, Root Bottom Farm’s garlic butter and The Hop Ice Cream Café’s garlic ice cream.
“The response to our ice cream last year was wonderful,” says Greg Garrison, co-owner of The Hop Ice Cream Café. “We did roasted garlic with a homemade caramel swirl. Once people were able to wrap their heads around the concept by trying a sample, they often got a scoop. After the event the ice cream made it into our stores and was well-received there too.”
With an incredible density of microbreweries, the South Slope district provides ample opportunities for pit stops along the Garlic Trail. Catawba Brewing Company is one of several area businesses that will have something to offer garlic lovers who stop by.
In addition to sampling both unique and classic recipes, attendees can learn how to grow and prepare their own garlic. Free workshops will cover gardening, cooking and preservation.
“Backyard gardening is somewhat of a lost skill, but it’s a skill that is empowering and essential to a sustainable food system,” says Chris Smith, event coordinator for Sow True Seed. “Everything that is WNC Garlic Fest blossomed from the core belief that people should know how to grow and eat their own food.”
Topics covered in the preservation class will include making garlic powder and garlic sea salt, fermenting garlic in honey, and both pickling and braiding garlic. Several varieties of seed garlic will be available for purchase.
Garlic Fest is a free event. Learn more at wncgarlicfest.com.
