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Creating Your ‘Horn of Plenty’

November 16, 2016 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Food blogger and photographer Pattie Garrett and I were trading ideas for cooking various vegetables last month when the traditional Thanksgiving cornucopia came up. Pattie recalled that her mother had always had a “horn of plenty” on her Thanksgiving meal tables but that she herself hadn’t carried on the tradition. Pattie’s stories raised memories for me of seeing cornucopia displays in department stores as a child but never quite understanding what exactly they were.

            I decided to do some research. Here’s what I found:

The word “cornucopia” literally translates from its Latin derivations into horn (cornu) of plenty (copia). The horn is a container of goodness overflowing. The cornucopia of today’s Thanksgiving tables usually are not quite horns but rather wicker baskets. They tend to be decorative but filled with colorful foods and such things as feathery strands of wheat or fuzzy cattails. The foods range from apples and grapes to squashes, ears of corn, and other somewhat durable vegetables. The main goal in creating a cornucopia is to represent it as abundance overflowing.

Where did this image come from? How did it come to be associated with Thanksgiving? Interestingly enough, the first question is easier to answer than the second.

According to Greek tales, the cornucopia is an actual animal horn. In one story, the god Zeus is hidden from his father Cronos who wants to kill him. As a baby, Zeus receives care from a goat named Amalthea. One day while romping Zeus accidentally breaks one of Amalthea’s horns. He rectifies this act by using his godly powers to keep the horn filled with whatever foods, drinks, or other comforts Amalthea might need. In a sense, he is filling the horn with abundance to ensure that his caregiver’s needs are met.

In a different Greek tale, Zeus’s son Hercules is vying for the affections of Deianira, who is the daughter of King Aeneus. His principal rival for Deianira’s heart is the god of rivers, Achelous. As Achelous and Hercules do battle with each other, Achelous changes forms numerous times over. At one point he becomes a bull, and Hercules manages to break off one of the bullhorns. This is enough to send Achelous back to the rivers, in defeat. Hercules and Deianira celebrate the victory by filling the horn with flowers and fruits, once again symbolizing plenty.

These are just stories, of course. But over the centuries the cornucopia turns up across cultures and across artistic genres, in paintings, on pottery, occasionally in poems. There doesn’t appear to be a definitive moment when the cornucopia began to serve as a symbol for the modern-day Thanksgiving. Yet, subtly, we all know that this is what it is.

According to the educational resources website BrightHub Education, the cornucopia is said to represent blessings and a sense of abundance, particularly of food. They usually exist in the form of wicker baskets shaped like a horn and are filled with fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and breads. BrightHub author Sarah Malberg also noted that one could obtain a cornucopia made of such materials as clay, wood, or stainless steel.

So how does one assemble a cornucopia? Are there dos and don’ts for getting it right? Again, the answer appears less than definitive. The main goal is to fill them with foods so that they overflow, creating the idea that there’s plenty of food for everyone, that nobody should go hungry, especially on Thanksgiving.

What would you put in your cornucopia? What signifies wealth in the way of food to do? How might a farmers market horn of plenty be put together? Ponder these questions as you prepare for your Thanksgivings, and create your own horns of plenty. The following recipes, based on seasonal vegetables at the farmers’ market, may provide further food for thought on that idea.

Filed Under: Did You Know, News Tagged With: Did You Know, Holidays at th Market

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Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest S Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest Schroon Moon spreadable cow's cheeses yet? Go for savory or sweet with 5 different flavors. Pick some up at this Saturday's market - we'll be open 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #saratogany #wilton #518 #518eats #farmfresh #nofarmsnofood #dairy #cheese
We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best Farmers’ Markets in the Capital Region for the Times Union’s Best of 2021! Thank you to all of our amazing customers and community for your continued support! You can vote for us daily under the category “Goods & Services” using this link: https://www.timesunion.com/bestof2021/ 
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#timesunionbestof2021 #timesunionbestof #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket 
#supportlocal #shoplocal #saratogany #saratogasprings
Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Cru Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Crush Monday!) This week we talked to Kim from Mugzy’s Barkery who brings healthy, locally made dog treats to the market. 
 
1. How did Mugzy’s Barkery get started? 
My sister Jaime started the business just over 5 years ago to have a healthier treat option to give her beloved Olde English Bulldog, Mugzy. Our treats are all natural and organic, providing a healthy alternative to mass-produced treats for caring dog parents. 
 
 2. What’s your favorite part about vending at the market?
Definitely getting to see all the dogs! The funny thing is I know all our regular customer’s dogs by name, not the owners. 
 
3. What are your most popular treat flavors?
Pumpkin paws (grain-free biscuits) and the pupcakes (a bite-sized treat) are really popular with the dogs but we also have flavors like PB cookie cups, apple cheddar training treats, banana buddies and more, so something to fit any pup’s tastes!
 
The PB cookie cups have been tried and approved by our market assistant’s dog, Lacey! 
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratoga #upstateny #shoplocal #saratogadog #farmersmarketfresh #mugzysbarkery #dogtreats #healthydogtreats
No need for an international flight when you can j No need for an international flight when you can journey around the world at the market! 🌍 Between Italian, Mediterranean, and Ukrainian, our vendors bring some of their best home cuisines to the market.
 
Have you tried My Dacha's Ukrainian food yet? Choose from lots of delicious options like pierogies, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, or opt for sweet crepes. 🥟🤤 (If you've tried their food, what's your favorite?!)

We're open this Saturday, 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #food #ukrainian #pierogies

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