Saratoga Farmers' Market

apples

Popular Foods Fill Saratoga Farmers’ Market Stalls

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By Julia Howard

Every year, certain foods find a following nationally among chefs, food writers, and other aficionados. These items often are nutritious, delicious, and add diversity to the daily diet. One place to find such foods is the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Here’s a quick rundown of the top trending foods available at the market now:

Good for the Gut
At the Wednesday and Saturday markets, look for Saratoga Apple. Their table offers not only their well-known apples but also such products as their own apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apple juice. Apple cider vinegar has been credited with reducing cholesterol and lowering blood sugar levels. Try it in salad dressings or marinades.

One regular purveyor of probiotics is Puckers Gourmet Pickles. Look for them and their jars of fermented vegetables on Saturdays. They offer pickles, kraut, and kimchi — all of which give the body a healthy dose of probiotics, which are live microorganisms that promote healthy digestion.

Junbucha, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Junbucha, a creation of Saratoga Urban Farm may also be found at the market on Saturdays. Jun is made by fermenting tea and honey with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast), creating a naturally effervescent and tangy drink that contains prebiotics, probiotics, and amino acids.

Ugly Produce
New seasonal fruits and vegetables appear at the farmers’ market each week. There is one distinct difference between locally grown produce at the farmers’ market and what is found on shelves at the grocery store. Locally grown produce is not perfect, and people are finally embracing misshapen and a-symmetrical as totally edible.

Different Sources of Protein
Squashville Farm is looking forward to bringing goat meat back to the Wednesday market in June. This meat, described as an “ethical meat” by some, is delicious in stews, burgers, or on the grill. Also, look for bone broths at the Wednesday market from Slate River and Ramble Creek farms. Bone broth is being hailed for it’s nutritional value and immune boosting properties.

Oyster mushrooms, photo by Pattie Garrett

Mushrooms
And, finally, mushrooms. Mariaville Mushroom Men and Ramble Creek Farm are offering a wide variety of mushrooms, including shitakes, oysters, lion’s mane, chestnuts and others. These bites of goodness are filled with potassium, niacin, selenium, vitamin B, and carry a flavor and texture that is unbeatable. Try them sauteed with olive oil or butter, roasted with root vegetables, or stirred into a pasta.

Fall Celebrations at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

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by Kristin Cleveland

October brings a cornucopia of special activities to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Along with sales and tastings of autumn’s abundant harvest, we celebrate the last outdoor markets of 2018 with llamas to cuddle, ponies to ride, a pumpkin contest, crafts and children’s activities, live music, and a Halloween Party! 

Saturday, October 13, 9 am-1 pm: Visit with Llamas

Stock up on fresh local farmers’ market food and beverages and meet the llamas of Dakota Ridge Farm! Pet them, learn about their origins and kind temperament and the many uses of their fiber. Children can also decorate a bookmark with llama fiber and everyone can check out the ponchos, blankets, socks, and other products made from high-quality llama fiber. 

Wednesday, October 24, 3-6 pm,: Customer Appreciation Day

As the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s 40th outdoor market season draws to a close, we say thank you to the community of Saratoga Springs for supporting local farms and businesses! We’ll have fall food tastings and special sales, live music, children’s activities and free pony rides from our friends at Adirondack Dreamcatcher Farm.

Saturday, October 27, 9am-1 pm: Fall Fest

In conjunction with the 17th Annual Downtown Business Association’s Fall Festival, the Saratoga Farmer’s Market will celebrate the fall season in beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs with special activities for people of all ages. Grab a hot breakfast sandwich and cider or coffee and a pastry, stock up on fresh local produce for hearty fall cooking, get a frozen casserole and other locally prepared dishes for quick healthy weeknight meals, enjoy a free fall craft for kids hosted by the Northeast Parent and Child Society, sample pumpkin-spiced treats, and enjoy the seasonal favorites of over 65 vendors gathered in High Rock Park.

Pumpkin display by Burger’s MarketGarden,          photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Wednesday, October 31, 3-6 pm: Halloween Party

Trick-or-treating, a kids’ costume contest with prizes, a pumpkin-painting craft, a children’s activity sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Public Library, music, delicious fall food tastings, and just the right amount of spooky fun!

Also, all of our market days feature fresh produce, dairy, eggs and meat from Saratoga and nearby counties; wine and spirits from our region’s vintners and distillers; cozy wool hats and other fall apparel; unique jewelry, pottery and specialty items made by local artisans; potted mums and gorgeous fall flower bouquets; and fresh baked goods, prepared food and live music! And as our outdoor season draws to a close, get ready to join us at our winter home every Saturday from November to April inside the Lincoln Baths at the Saratoga Spa State Park, 9 am-1 pm. For more details see our Facebook page!

Sweet Potato Salad with Apples, Raisins and Shallots

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Adapted from the recipe by Miss Annie on www.geniuskitchen.com

Serves 6-8

Cook and prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 4 cups sweet potatoes*, peeled and cut into ½” cubes
  • 2 tart apples*, peeled, cored and chopped
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup pecan pieces, toasted (optional)
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot*, finely chopped
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1⁄3 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

  1. To cook the sweet potatoes: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Once the pan is sizzling, add a scant ¼ cup water, then cover the pan and reduce heat to low to avoid burning the contents. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sweet potato is tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
  2. Mix the sweet potatoes, apples, raisins, pecans, and shallots in a large bowl.
  3. Combine the juices, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Whisk together, then add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly.
  5. Pour over the salad, toss well to combine well, then refrigerate overnight before serving.

Maple Yogurt Cake

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Adapted from the recipe by Clotilde Dusoulier of Chocolate & Zucchini
Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Serves 8

 

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 1 cup plain yogurt*
  • 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons maple sugar* from Slate Valley Farms, divided (see note)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • a good pinch salt
  • one large apple* of a variety that holds its shape when cooked


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 360° F and line a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
  2. Set aside 1 rounded tablespoon of the maple sugar for the topping.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, the remaining maple sugar, eggs, and oil.
  4. In another mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Peel the apple, then core, quarter, and slice it thinly. Add the flour mixture to the yogurt mixture and whisk it in quickly, until just combined. Don’t worry about lumps and do not overmix.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, arrange the apple slices on top, starting from the outside, and sprinkle with the reserved maple sugar.
  6. Put into the oven to bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. If you feel the apple slices might be browning too quickly, cover with a piece of parchment paper.
  7. Lift the cake cautiously out of the pan and transfer to a rack to cool. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

Substitute 3/4 cup maple syrup and use just 3/4 cup yogurt to make up for the extra moisture.

Tossed Apple and Kale Salad

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Looking for a crisp and festive complement to your holiday table? Try this quick and healthy starter, compliments of chef and yoga instructor Meg Affonso.

 

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 1 bunch kale*
  • 1 pound firm apples*
  • ½  cup pumpkin or squash seeds*
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup*
  • Salt, to taste

 

Orange Mustard Vinaigrette

  • 4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • juice of 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon (or other) mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup*
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 shallot*, minced

 

Preparation

  1. Lightly toast pumpkin seeds in a pan with olive oil and salt. Remove.
  2. Remove kale leaves from stems and tear into bite-size pieces. Steam in water until wilted. Drain and set aside.
  3. Chop apples into bite-size chunks.
  4. Combine kale and apples, and toss with maple syrup.
  5. Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over kale and apples.
  6. Top with pumpkin seeds. Toss lightly and serve.

Sunshine Muffins

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Adapted from recipe by Jen Nikolaus of www.yummyhealthyeasy.com
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 18 mins
Total time: 28 mins
Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

*Ingredients available at the farmers’ market

  • 2 cups flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. pie spice mix from The Chocolate Spoon* (or 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. nutmeg)
  • 3 eggs*
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 cups grated carrots*
  • 1 cup apple, peeled and grated*
  • ½ cup chopped nuts, optional
  • ¼ cup coconut, optional
  • coarse sugar, for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs, oil and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix well with wooden spoon.
  3. Fold in remaining ingredients: carrots, apple, nuts, and coconut.
  4. Scoop into 12 regular-sized greased muffin tins and sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top of each muffin.
  5. Bake for 18-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.