5 Delicious, Almost-Instant Soups with Local Bone Broth

5 Delicious, Almost-Instant Soups with Local Bone Broth

As the weather cools and soups start to call our names, there’s no better way to warm up than with local, nutrient-packed ingredients. At Piedmont Fresh, we make it easy to start with the best base: Rocky Forge Farm Wagyu soup bones, or chicken and turkey soup bones from Sunflower Hill Farm and Crossings. You can use these to make a rich, homemade broth, or pick up ready-to-use Crossings chicken broth for extra convenience.

How to Make Your Own Broth from Soup Bones

It’s simple to make a batch of broth at home:

• Start with local soup bones (Rocky Forge Wagyu, or chicken and turkey bones from Sunflower Hill Farm and Crossings).

• Add vegetables and herbs such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf.

• Cover with water and let simmer low and slow — at least 6–8 hours for maximum flavor and nutrition.

• Strain and store in jars or containers. Broth keeps well in the fridge for several days and can be frozen for later use.

Once you’ve got a pot of broth ready, turning it into a meal is quick and easy.

1. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Celebrate fall flavors with locally grown butternut and acorn squash and garlic. Sauté, then add your homemade broth and simmer until tender. Blend until smooth for a velvety, cozy soup that highlights the best of local produce.

2. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Use your homemade broth as the base. Add local chicken and seasonal vegetables. Toss in your favorite noodles, season with fresh herbs, and enjoy a timeless, nourishing bowl that warms from the inside out.

3. Hearty Vegetable Soup

Take advantage of seasonal produce from Piedmont Fresh farms! Simmer chopped zucchini, kale, bell peppers, or carrots in your homemade broth with a touch of thyme and rosemary. Add beans for extra protein and you’ve got a filling, colorful soup.

4. Spicy Thai Coconut Soup

Try something different and combine your homemade broth with coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass, and lime juice. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or local tofu for a fragrant, tangy soup that packs a flavor punch in minutes.

5. Zuppa Toscana with Kale

Simmer kale and potatoes in your homemade broth, adding crumbled sausage or local chicken if you like. Finish with a splash of cream for richness. Serve alongside Ashe County cheeses and bake-to-order bread for a truly comforting, hearty meal.

Tips for Turning Bone Broth into Soup Magic

• Batch prep: Make a big batch of broth and store in jars or containers — it freezes beautifully.

• Local boosters: Use local veggies, garlic, cheeses, and herbs for the freshest flavor and extra nutrients.

• Quick prep: Rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted vegetables, or pre-cooked grains can make these soups almost instant on busy days.

With one batch of homemade bone broth, you can enjoy five unique soups that are healthy, satisfying, and perfect for the cooler months. Explore the flavors of the Piedmont, support local farms, and bring comfort to your table.

Winter Crops & Preserving Traditions

Winter Crops & Preserving Traditions

When the air turns crisp and the leaves fade to gold, Piedmont farms shift into their winter rhythm. While many think of summer tomatoes and sweet corn as the stars of North Carolina agriculture, winter has its own quiet heroes—especially winter squash.

Winter Squash: A Cold-Weather Staple

The Piedmont region produces a variety of winter squashes that thrive in cooler weather. Butternut, acorn, delicata, and spaghetti squash are just a few favorites you’ll see at local farms and markets. These hardy vegetables store beautifully and provide a steady source of nutrition throughout the cold months.

Winter squash is naturally rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium—helping boost immunity and support heart health when we need it most. Roasted, pureed into soups, baked into casseroles, or even spiralized as a pasta substitute, winter squash is one of the most versatile vegetables you can enjoy all season long.

And of course, the sweet potato remains a Piedmont staple—beloved not just for its flavor but also for its role as North Carolina’s official state vegetable. Together, these root and storage crops define much of our winter table.

Preparing for Winter: Storing & Preserving the Harvest

As daylight shortens, many Piedmont families still rely on age-old practices to make the most of their harvest. Storage crops like squash, sweet potatoes, onions, and apples can keep for months in a cool, dark place—bringing fresh flavor to the winter pantry.

But beyond storage, food preservation methods like canning and fermenting allow families to enjoy summer’s abundance year-round. Canning jams, tomatoes, and pickles preserves peak-season flavor, while fermenting vegetables like cabbage into sauerkraut or kimchi adds tang and probiotics to winter meals.

Health Benefits of Canning & Fermenting

Canning locks in nutrients at the time of harvest, letting you enjoy fruits and vegetables when they’re at their best. Fermenting, on the other hand, not only preserves produce but also creates beneficial bacteria that support gut health and strengthen the immune system. Together, these traditions keep the winter diet both nutritious and exciting.

The Tradition Continues

Here in the Piedmont, winter isn’t a pause—it’s a season of resilience and resourcefulness. Whether you’re enjoying roasted butternut squash, opening a jar of homemade preserves, or topping your plate with tangy fermented vegetables, you’re participating in a tradition that connects our farms to our tables, generation after generation.

So this winter, celebrate the season with the bounty grown right here in the Piedmont. Stock your pantry, savor the flavors, and remember that every jar, root cellar, and roasted squash ties us back to the land.

Local Lavender, Herbs, and Natural Wellness for Fall & Winter

Cozy Season Is Coming: Local Lavender, Herbs, and Natural Wellness for Fall & Winter

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to prepare for the cozy months ahead — the ones filled with warm drinks, calming scents, nourishing foods, and the kind of self-care that keeps both body and mind in balance.

At Piedmont Fresh, we believe that seasonal living means more than just eating local produce. It’s also about supporting small farms and artisans who craft products that nurture your health, home, and spirit — naturally. This season, our shelves are filled with all-natural, homemade, and locally made wellness items from Muddy Creek Lavender, Fancy Plants Farmstead, and Sunflower Hill Farm. Whether you’re treating yourself or finding thoughtful gifts for friends and family, these products are perfect for the months when comfort and care matter most.

Lavender for Mind, Body, and Home

Lavender has been cherished for centuries, and for good reason. This fragrant purple bloom isn’t just beautiful — it’s a powerhouse for both skin health and emotional well-being. Known for its calming aroma, lavender can help reduce stress, ease tension headaches, and promote restful sleep. It’s also naturally antibacterial and soothing for irritated skin, making it a perfect ingredient for soaps, balms, and oils.

From Muddy Creek Lavender, you can find:

• Lavender Infusion Kit & Lavender Simple Syrup Kit – Bring the taste and aroma of lavender into your kitchen. These are perfect for teas, lemonades, cocktails, baked goods, and even savory dishes.

• Lavender Essential Oil & Essential Oil Roller – Add to a diffuser for relaxation or roll onto pulse points for on-the-go aromatherapy.

• Lavender Vanilla Lip Balm – Protect lips from dry, cool air while enjoying a hint of sweetness.

• Shower Steamers – Transform your shower into a spa-like retreat with calming lavender and chamomile vapors.

• Gardener’s Salve & Joint Warming Salve – Soothe hardworking hands and tired muscles naturally.

• Handcrafted Soaps – Chamomile, Lavender & Mint Tea Soap, Pure Lavender Soap, and Lavender Mint Gardener’s Soap — gentle cleansing with natural fragrance.

• Dried Lavender Bunches – Beautiful for display, but also wonderful for DIY sachets, teas, and bath blends.

Herbal Teas & Blends for Wellness

There’s something deeply comforting about wrapping your hands around a warm mug of herbal tea when it’s cold outside. These blends from Muddy Creek Lavender and Fancy Plants Farmstead aren’t just delicious — they also offer impressive health benefits:

• Chamomile – Known for promoting relaxation and better sleep, while also aiding digestion.

• Mint – Refreshing, soothing for the stomach, and may help relieve headaches.

• Lavender Breakfast Tea – A fragrant, gentle start to your morning.

• Sip-N-Soak Herbal Blend – Perfect for brewing or adding to bathwater for total-body relaxation.

• Trust Your Gut Herbal Blend – Designed to support digestion and gut health.

• Herbs de Provence Spice Blend – Packed with antioxidant-rich herbs that support heart health while adding flavor to your cooking without excess salt.

Mushrooms, Turmeric, and Plant-Based Power

Beyond herbs and flowers, fall and winter are a great time to incorporate medicinal mushrooms and powerful roots into your diet. Sunflower Hill Farm offers:

• Turmeric Plants – Grow your own at home for fresh anti-inflammatory, joint-supporting spice year-round.

• Heritage Harvest Mushroom Extracts:

  • Lion’s Mane – Known to boost cognitive function, memory, and focus, while also supporting nerve health.

  • Reishi – A centuries-old medicinal mushroom that supports immune function and helps the body manage stress.

These extracts can be added to teas, coffees, smoothies, or broths — making it easy to incorporate into your daily wellness routine.

Why Choose Local for Your Self-Care?

When you buy natural wellness products from Piedmont Fresh, you’re not just buying something for yourself — you’re supporting local farmers, makers, and the local economy. These products are made in small batches, with care and integrity, without the unnecessary chemicals and additives found in many commercial items.

Shopping local means your money stays in the community, sustaining small businesses and farms. It also means you’re getting fresher, higher-quality products made with ingredients grown right here in the Piedmont region.

Your Fall & Winter Wellness Checklist

If you’re ready to prepare for the cooler months, here’s a quick checklist to get started:

• Stock up on herbal teas to sip on chilly mornings and evenings.

• Add lavender products to your skincare and self-care routines.

• Keep balms and salves on hand for dry skin and sore muscles.

• Try mushroom extracts and turmeric for immune and cognitive support.

• Create a calming home atmosphere with dried lavender or fresh flowers.

Shop all these products and more at PiedmontFresh.com, the Thomasville Farmers Market, and the Lexington Farmers Market — your local sources for fresh food, handmade goods, and seasonal wellness essentials.