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The Little-Known Story Of Collards In North Carolina And How They Are Are Making A Big Comeback

Published Apr 15, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

Collards are making a comeback in North Carolina! Every fall these greens packed with vitamins that fortify our bodies and bones spring forth and grace our Thanksgiving tables. Well, now it seems the luscious veggies are appealing to a new generation with a reputation of being a superfood. Let's take a look at the vibrant collard greens.

Farmers across the state put in hours of time planting and harvesting the powerful greens.

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The Collard Patch

The Collard Patch in Wake Forest is a pick-your-own roadside farm market. Discover more on The Collard Patch website.

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The vegetable is an excellent source of vitamins, A, C, K, B-6, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, and iron.

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SaletteAndrews, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

These lovely collards were purchased from Carrboro Farmers' Market. Read all about it on the Carrboro Farmers' Market Facebook page.

The greens are offered year-round, but purchasing them in the late fall or early winter is a North Carolina tradition when they are known to be sweeter.

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Daniels Farms Produce/Facebook

Come fall, trucks like this one are parked around small towns all over the state. This classic Chevy is parked at Daniels Produce, a family-owned and operated grower in Wilson, North Carolina. See the photos on the Daniel Farms Produce Facebook page.

We enjoy finding the large, handsome leaves at farmers markets or farms around The Tar Heel State.

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Fearrington Farmers' Market/Facebook

These are from Fearrington Farmers’ Market. Find hours and other information on the Fearington Farmers Market Facebook page.

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Collards can be cooked in casseroles, tacos, and pinto beans.

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Nolabob, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

But they are excellent by themselves seasoned with some fat back or a ham hock.

Not to mention it is a common and delicious accompaniment to pulled pork.

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Ben Welsh/Flickr

Find this scrumptious meal at Clyde Cooper’s BBQ restaurant in downtown Raleigh.

Visit a live plant - Colleen the Collard - walking around at The Ayden Collard Festival that takes place Sept. 5-7, 2024.

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Ayden Collard Festival/Facebook

For more information, visit the Ayden Collard Festival Facebook page.

Folks can also purchase the green goodness by the jars: The “Slammin’ Good Greens” from KW Collards of Charlotte are available in all kinds of stores throughout the country.

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KW Collards

If you can't find them in stores, purchase some from the KW Collards website.

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Collards are making a comeback in North Carolina and you can read more about this superfood on the NC State Cooperative Extension website. Do you have a favorite recipe for collards? Please share it in the comments below.

Read some collard green recipes on the Barnes & Noble website. And whenever possible, buy local to support local families in North Carolina.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/roadside-farmers-market-nc/

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Food

Word On The Street Is That Huli Sue’s Serves The Best BBQ In North Carolina

Published Aug 26, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill in Asheville is an eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina. This Hawaiian-Texan-inspired cuisine offers a unique and delicious taste that stands out in an area with plenty of traditional barbecue options. Find out why this barbecue joint in North Carolina is a step above the rest.

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Constructed in 1928, the Grove Arcade has undergone many phases during its interesting existence.

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Grove Arcade/Facebook

The Grand Opening took place in 1929 and became home to local shops and businesses offering a variety of services and products over the years.

In 2021 the historic Grove Arcade welcomed the addition of Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill opened by Lisa Vann and Ben Krueger who also have The Fish and The Hog in Waimea, Hawaii.

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Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill/Facebook

It didn't take long for this to become an eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina.

You can taste the island's influence on the Texas barbecue and Hawaiian dishes.

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Joel R/Tripadvisor

For example, folks are impressed to find an authentic and scrumptious poke bowl in Asheville.

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Management/Tripadvisor

This version comes with ginger-sesame-shoyu seared sashimi-grade fish, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and aioli.

But first things first as cocktails evocative of another era - crafted with fresh juices, fruits, and adorned with lovely flowers and umbrellas - shouldn't be overlooked.

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Ashley R/Tripadvisor

The Lava Flow has rum with cream of coconut, pineapple, strawberry, and lime.

For the table, a nice order of Rueben Spring Rolls contain house-made pastrami, Swiss, crunchy sauerkraut, and Russian dip.

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Management/Tripadvisor

Be warned - these cultivate a mean craving that hits you in the middle of the night.

And speaking of pastrami, you can also find it on a sandwich here - deli-style - with a choice of house-cut fries, sweet Maui Onion Chips, or a salad.

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Lockie H/Tripadvisor

If you come with barbecue in mind, however; The Sampler plate delivers with brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, and house-made sausage.

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Management/Tripadvisor

The desserts are worthy of time all on their own for a sweet date night.

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Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill/Facebook

Try the Banana Cream Pie, Pineapple Upside Cake, or the Haupia (coconut) Layer Cake.

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Discover more about this eatery with a phenomenal reputation in North Carolina on the Huli Sue's website. While you're in this eclectic city, find out why you might fall in love with Asheville. And check out some very cool overnight or weekend options on Vrbo.

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Food

A Pure Oil Station Is Now North Carolina’s Best New Place To Find A Duck Confit Grilled Cheese

Published Aug 7, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

It's a special event when you run into an all-day eatery with excellent food in North Carolina — especially in the heart of Black Mountain. This restaurant opened in December of 2022 offering some delightful cuisine. But the most interesting feature of the historic building turned restaurant in North Carolina is that it once was a Pure Oil Station. While those memories are gone, the community spirit in this saved building is intact. Read on about The Pure & Proper.

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A Pure Oil Station that opened in the 1940s was the beginning of a bond with the Black Mountain community.

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The Pure And Proper

The cool, historic structure stood as a beloved landmark reminding folks of the simpler times. It was lovingly saved and turned into The Pure & Proper.

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The Pure And Proper

New life brings a warm and welcoming repurposed space with a cozy open upstairs dining room and another intimate dining room downstairs.

This all-day eatery is decorated with elegant and creative details in a variety of materials.

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The Pure And Proper

We love the furry seats, exposed beams, and rough bricks where you'll find lunch, a cocktail hour, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Start with the Cheese Board featuring three local cheeses, seasonal pickles, mustard, olives, marcona almonds, and stecca bread.

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Mixa's Travels/Tripadvisor

This is a very nice item to share and goes well with one of the signature cocktails or mocktails.

While Brussels sprouts come as a side with sorghum and sherry vinaigrette, try the elegant way they are served as an entree.

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Lockie H/Tripadvisor

Topped with whipped ricotta, tomato jam, spiced cashews, and fresh basil, they are a piece of art.

And speaking of art, the Flat Iron Steak with crispy potatoes is a sculpture of hearty love.

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LanSluderBelize/Tripadvisor

This eatery in North Carolina also makes a convenient stop for lunch after hiking up the Lookout Mountain Trail with a fresh salad, a ham and cheese, and your favorite beer or wine.

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Harriet T/Tripadvisor

When it's nice, take advantage of the patio, and find the hike on the AllTrails website.

While the aforementioned entrees are delicious, the Duck Confit Grilled Cheese is the best grilled cheese you will ever eat.

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Miriam S/Tripadvisor

It's comprised of pulled duck leg confit (duck legs slow-roasted in duck fat), griddled onion, arugula, Gruyere cheese, and tomato jam.

Discover more about this historic building turned restaurant in North Carolina on The Pure & Proper website. And find out why Black Mountain is also a great place to visit in the winter.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/snowiest-town-winter-getaway-nc/

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