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The First Sign of Summer – or Fall?

August 8, 2016 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson
Photos by Pattie Garrett

Corn 1
Corn 2
Corn 3

A photograph on the Facebook page of Fresh Take Farm a few weeks ago caused me to whoop in delight. The photo featured ears of fresh succulent sweet corn. The first corn of the season. Available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market from Fresh Take, the Gomez Veggie Villa, Malta Ridge, Butternut Ridge, and numerous other vendors. I couldn’t have been happier. Corn signifies for me the first sign of summer. But is that what it is?

I mentioned corn to my friend and fellow Friends of the Market member Pattie Garrett, who also is an avid Saratoga Farmers’ Market shopper and a food blogger.

“Corn?” she declared. “Oh no … corn means the end of summer.”

Our e-mail conversation evolved into a chat about the meaning of summer itself. There was no resolution to the question, and there was no need for one. But it led me to wonder how we define summer, and how shopping at the farmers’ market might fit into that equation.

I lived most of my adult life in cities but now live in a rural area about ten miles from Saratoga Springs. I am a college professor and help my husband raise most of the food we eat. I moved to Saratoga after growing up in the Midwest, and living for many years in the Pacific Northwest and in Hawai‘i. I always felt that these different geographic areas – like Upstate New York – had their own sets of seasons. For instance, there was a winter in Hawai‘i, even though there never was snow. It was characterized by “two-blanket” nights – the nights when the air temperatures would drop into the fifties.

In New York, I have learned to define summer through growing food and shopping seasonally at the farmers’ market. For me, fall begins when the garlic for next year is planted and when the collards and kale have survived a couple of light frosts to turn sweet and crispy. Corn – “knee high by the Fourth of July” – is the go-to hot weather crop that reaches its full sweetness in summer. Bushels of canning tomatoes at the farmers’ market signify fall.

But thanks to Pattie I want to know what you think: What crops signify summer? Which ones mark fall? Fill out our questionnaire at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market tomorrow. We’ll share the results – before the first frost.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open 3-6 pm Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at High Rock Park.


 

Corn Chowder Salad by Pattie Garrett of My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Corn Chowder Salad

Adapted from Beekman 1802, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 4

Ingredients
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 slices of bacon cut crosswise into ½ inch pieces
• 1 yellow potato, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds discarded, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 6 ears of corn, shucked and kernels scraped from cob with knife (3 cups)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-low. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel to drain. Measure the fat remaining in the skillet. You need 2 Tablespoons, add olive oil to make up the difference.

2. Add the potato to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper, and cook, tossing occasionally until the pepper and potato are tender, about 5 minutes longer. Add the corn and cook until hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Add the onion, cherry tomatoes, and vinegar. Season with pepper and stir to combine.

3. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Filed Under: Featured Article, News

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TGIF! We've got the perfect cure for an exhausting TGIF! We've got the perfect cure for an exhausting week: grab ready-to-eat meals to munch on this weekend while shopping for your groceries to meal prep for next week. (Pro tip: Petra's pita pockets never disappoint. 😉) Stop by the market this Saturday, 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
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Reminder to place your online orders by Thursday a Reminder to place your online orders by Thursday at 9 pm for curbside pickup this Saturday. Here’s a recent haul with a great variety of fresh produce and goods!

New this week: Ready to eat meals from My Dacha Slovenian Café (perogies, stuffed cabbage, sweet crepes & much more)

Just click the link in our bio to place your order! 
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #curbsidepickup #saratoga #localline #knowyourfarmer #shoplocal #farmersmarketfinds #farmersmarkethaul  #518eats
Happy National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day! Here a Happy National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day! Here are a few of our favorite peanut butter products from around the market:

🥜Assorted Peanut Butters- Saratoga Peanut Butter Company
🥜Roasted Peanut Chocolate Chip Cookies- The Chocolate Spoon 
🥜PB Cookie Cups Organic Dog Treats- Mugzy’s Barkery 
 
Online preordering for curbside pickup this Saturday opens tonight at 9 pm, be sure to stock up on these tasty treats and more! Just click the “Shop Now” button on our page.
 
What’s your favorite peanut butter product from the market? Let us know in the comments! 
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratogany  #upstateny #saratogasprings #peanutbutter #peanuterbutterlovers #peanutbutterloversday #518eats #farmersmarketfinds
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

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