• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shop Local, Eat Fresh at the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Food, Crafts, Music in Saratoga Springs

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!

Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder

October 10, 2013 By marketeditor

The children who love to watch the eggs hatch in the incubator at Saratoga Springs Public Library each spring might like to know that the eggs are local: they come from the Gifford family’s farm in Gansevoort.

Each Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Linda Gifford sells eggs, vegetables, fresh flowers, and seasonal decorative items. At this time of year, her stand is ablaze with color, with the last of summer’s pink and red zinnias mingling with golden sunflowers, orange pumpkins, and multi-colored, ornamental corn.

The farm doesn’t attend the weekend Saturday market in Saratoga, since she’s selling up in Glens Falls that day. “We sell at seven local markets a week, all in towns fairly close to our farm,” she notes.

She and her husband, Bill, and their two grown daughters keep busy on a large farm, with not only the products she brings to Saratoga Farmers’ Market, but also 150-200 dairy cows and about 150 chickens.

In addition to the farm’s sale of fresh eggs, “We provide fertile eggs to area schools and organizations that want to watch them hatch,” explains Gifford. The farm’s milk is sold to Agri-Mark, a dairy cooperative.

“We have eight children, six boys and two girls. The girls have chosen to stay on the farm,” notes Gifford. “This is where my husband was raised, so it’s been our family’s farm for a long time. We are the last farm operating in the town of Gansevoort.”

“We have sixteen grandchildren (with one on the way), and three great-grandchildren,” Gifford says. “We’re hoping that some of our grandkids will become farmers.”

When asked about a favorite recipe, Linda Gifford observes that the farm is a busy place, with lots of family and farm helpers coming and going. Her Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder is a favorite with everyone. “I never have any left when I make this recipe,” she says with a laugh.

Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder

Ingredients

  • 6 medium potatoes*, peeled and diced
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup chopped onion*
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups milk*
  • 1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese*, grated
  • 2 cups chopped ham*
  • pepper to taste

*Items can be purchased at Saratoga Farmers’ Market

Preparation

In large kettle, boil water; add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain; reserve 2 cups of liquid.

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion in the melted butter until soft. Add flour to butter and onion mixture; stir until smooth. Cook for 1 minute.

Slowly add potatoes, reserved cooking liquid, and 6 cups of milk. Stir well; add cheese and ham.

Simmer chowder over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes. Season with pepper. (No salt needed, as the chowder gets plenty from the cheese and ham.)

Filed Under: Seasonal Recipes

Reader Interactions

Before Footer

Instagram

Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendo Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendors at today’s market!
Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Grano Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Granola Day. In honor of this, all sales with our friends from @toganola are 10% off this Saturday only! Their granola products are packaged in sustainable packaging and free of gluten, dairy & soy. 

Our winter market runs today from 9:3-1:30 in the Wilton Mall food court. Hope you can make it!

Photo of and provided by @toganola 

#saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #granola #toganola #thingstodoinupstateny #organic #shopsmall #shoplocal #nationalgranoladay
Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today! For every $5 you spend using your SNAP/EBT card at our market, receive $2 in coupons. FreshConnect bucks can be used to buy: vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, honey, baked items, jams, plants that bear food, and prepared foods that are packed to eat at home. Plus, there’s no cap on issuance! Stop by our information stand to learn more. We’ll be open 9:30-1:30 tomorrow. ❄️🌾

#freshconnect #snap #ebt #nutrition #health #agriculture #shoplocal #shopssmall #farmtotable #saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #thingstodoinupstateny @wilton_mall_leasing
Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ ma Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ markets are a great way to start networking and finding your customer base. For 45 years, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has provided a platform for local farmers, artisans, bakers and more build their businesses into what they are today. If you’d like to join our community, please submit your 2023 Summer Vendor application. The link can be found in our bio. Last day to apply is January 31st. DM us here or email me at sfma.manager@gmail.com with any questions!! 

#farmersmarket #startup #smallbusiness #shoplocal #entrepreneur #community #saratogasprings #thingstodoinupstateny #growyourbusiness
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Footer

With support from our friends at:

Copyright © 2023 · Saratoga Farmers Market · Design by REACH CREATIVE

    COVID-19: Check our latest Safety Guidelines!
  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!