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

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

fall

Using the whole vegetable with root to stem cooking

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By Marisa Kerkvliet

One of the great benefits of shopping at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is having access to the whole form of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. When making my recipe for sheet pan chicken with carrots, potatoes, and carrot top pesto, you can gather most ingredients from local farms at the farmers’ market.

Photo provided by Green Jeans Market Farm

You will find brightly colored piles of fresh young carrots in the fall with their vibrant green tops still attached. Carrot tops are highly nutritious and packed with vitamin A and vitamin C and a decent amount of calcium and iron. Carrot tops can be used just as any other dark leafy greens and can be stirred into soups, sauteed with butter and garlic, or blended into a flavorful fall pesto.

If carrot tops are unavailable, you can make this recipe with fresh parsley instead. The carrots sold with their tops attached are freshly harvested and have tender skin that does not require peeling. Just scrub the carrots well to remove any dirt and ensure the carrot tops are clean. You can leave 1-2 inches of the stems attached to the top for added visual interest for this dish. If your carrots vary in size, cut the larger ones in half lengthwise so they have a similar diameter to the smaller ones to ensure even roasting.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Potatoes work well in this recipe, but other in-season fall vegetables such as delicata squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or brussels sprouts would be delicious as well. You can use any size of potatoes, but, just like the carrots, make sure they are all cut to be about the same size. Cut smaller potatoes in half and larger ones into quarters.

Any leftover carrot top pesto can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This pesto also makes an excellent spread for grilled sandwiches, a topping for fried eggs, or a base for homemade salad dressing.

I enjoy developing recipes and sharing wholesome food using my background in nutrition and culinary arts. For more seasonal, whole-food recipes for the everyday home cook, visit my Instagram @Lemon.thyme.kitchen. And visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.

This week’s recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken with Carrots, Potatoes, & Carrot Top Pesto

Photo by Marisa Kerkvliet

Sheet Pan Chicken with Carrots, Potatoes, & Carrot Top Pesto

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Recipe by Marisa Kerkvliet
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Photo by Marisa Kerkvliet

Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
● 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and legs*
● 2 bunches rainbow carrots*
● 1.5 pounds red or gold potatoes*, cut in half
● 2 tablespoons olive oil
● 2 teaspoons kosher salt
● 1 teaspoon paprika
● ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Carrot Top Pesto
● 2 cups packed carrot tops*
● ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil*
● ½ cup walnut halves, plus extra for serving
● ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
● 2 cloves garlic*
● ½ lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
● ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
● ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Arrange the chicken, carrots, and potatoes on the sheet pan and drizzle on the olive oil. Sprinkle on the salt, paprika, and black pepper. Use clean hands to toss all of the ingredients together and rub the spices into the chicken and vegetables. Arrange in a single layer with the chicken skin facing up.
2. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees F and the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
3. While the chicken and vegetables are roasting prepare the carrot top pesto by combining the carrot tops, olive oil, walnuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth.
4. Transfer the cooked chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, and drizzle on the pesto. Top with additional chopped walnuts if desired and serve immediately.

Photo by Marisa Kerkvliet

Connecting to farms with fall fun

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By Julia Howard

The fall harvest season is the perfect time to discover local agriculture, one of the many aspects that make this area unique. Explore, experience, and enjoy farm tours, U-pick opportunities, dining, farm stands, and community events. Here’s a peek at what Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors are offering.

Saratoga Apple, photo by Pattie Garrett

Pick Your Own
Saratoga Apple is a family farm and apple orchard located in Schuylerville, NY, offering “pick your own” in the fall. On weekends, get your U-pick bags at the big tent next to the orchard store, and on weekdays get them inside the orchard store. The store is open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; however, customers should purchase U-pick bags by 5 p.m.

Dancing Ewe Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

Farm-to-Table Dining
Dancing Ewe Farm is an authentic Tuscan-style family farm in Granville, NY, crafting impeccable, fresh cheeses & meats. They are currently taking reservations for their farm-to-table weekend dinners & lunches, featuring a selection of Italian wines and imported olive oil. Visit their website or Facebook page to see their menu and to make a reservation.

Fall Festivities
The DBA’s 2nd Annual Fall Festivities will be family-friendly and so much fun on two weekends: October 23 & 24 and October 30 & 31. On Saturdays, October 23 at 30, stop by the farmer’s market to shop with local farms and businesses. While you shop, enjoy live music and activities for all ages. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will also host Customer Appreciation Day on October 27, their last Wednesday season’s market. Market-goers can enjoy special sales on market products, live music, and a free craft for children hosted by the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Farm Tours & Live Music
Nettle Meadow Farm has a fun-filled weekend planned. Tonight, enjoy Nettle Meadow cheeses and local wine at their Cheese Jam concert, with proceeds supporting the Kemp Animal Sanctuary. Then, on Saturday, October 9, enjoy the Thurman Fall Farm Tour. This self-guided tour of regional farms includes talks, tours, wagon rides, breakfast and lunch buffets, and more.

Kokinda Farm’s farmstand, photo provided

Farm Stands & Garden Nurseries
If you’re looking to enjoy fall flowers and produce, consider stopping at a farm stand or garden nursery. Butternut Ridge Farm, Burger’s Market Garden, Balet Flowers & Design, Gifford Farms, and Kokinda Farm have the season’s harvest available right at the farm!

While you’re marking your calendar for these events, skip to 2022 and take note of the Washington County Fiber Tour that takes place in late April, The Cheese Tour scheduled for mid-September, and the Adirondack Wool and Arts Festival in late September. These events are excellent opportunities to discover local agriculture.

This week’s recipe: Chicken Spinach Salad with Butternut Squash

Chicken Spinach Salad with Butternut Squash

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by The Roasted Root, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 4

Ingredients
For the Vinaigrette:
● ¼ cup olive oil*
● 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar*
● 1 Tablespoon maple syrup*
● ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the chicken and butternut squash:
● 1 pound boneless chicken tenders or breasts*
● 1 Tablespoon olive oil*
● 1 teaspoon oregano
● 1 teaspoon paprika
● 2 teaspoons olive oil*
● 2 cups butternut squash*, peeled and chopped
● ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Salad:
● 5 ounces of fresh baby spinach*
● ½ cup raw pecan halves
● ¼ cup golden raisins
● 1 large green apple*, cored and sliced

Instructions
1. For the vinaigrette: Whisk all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl until smooth.
2. For the chicken and butternut squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Place chicken in a casserole dish. Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano, and paprika. Place the squash on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Roast the squash and chicken in the oven for 25 minutes or until the squash is tender and golden brown. Continue to cook the chicken until cooked through.
3. For the Salad: Place spinach in bowl or on individual plates. Top with pecans, raisins, squash, chicken and apples. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad.

Cabbage Medley

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Recipe courtesy of Vashti’s Kitchen Delights
Serves 6-8

Braised cabbage in a wooden bowl, top view, selective focus

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 5-6 cups of diced cabbage* (5 cups if using 1 cup of mixed seasonal vegetables)
● 1 cup of mixed seasonal vegetables* – optional (Brussels sprouts, zucchini, kohlrabi,
cauliflower, mushrooms, potatoes, etc.)
● 1 cup of shredded carrots*
● 1 cup of diced mixed bell peppers*
● ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro*
● 1-2 cloves of finely chopped garlic*
● 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
● 2 tablespoons of olive oil*

Instructions
In a large saucepan, add oil, chopped cilantro, garlic, and salt and sauté over high heat for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and combine well, reduce heat to medium and cover the saucepan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.

Celebrating fall by honoring the pumpkin

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By Madison Jackson & Emily Meagher

Pumpkins at Burger’s Market Garden, photo by Pattie Garrett

This Wednesday officially marks the fall equinox. Still, without consulting the calendar, we start to feel the signs: the first leaves begin to turn, we wake up to cooler and darker mornings, and pumpkins and other winter squash make bold appearances.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

At the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, we are preparing to fully embrace the transition to a new season by honoring pumpkins, a quintessential symbol of fall. This year, the market is kicking off the autumnal season by co-hosting the 6th Annual Saratoga Giant Pumpkin Fest, organized by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, on September 25th. The giant pumpkins are brought in by local growers and will be displayed in the Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage starting at 10 am, with the official weigh-off at 11 am.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market, located at 112 High Rock Ave., will be open from 9 am-2 pm, staying open an additional hour from its usual times to accommodate event crowds. A select group of vendors will continue vending until 4 pm, coinciding with the end of the Chamber’s event. Stop by the farmers’ market before or after viewing the pumpkins to browse a selection of seasonal fall goods from local farmers and producers.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

You will find fall staples like apple cider, cider donuts, and pumpkin-flavored products, including cheesecake, peanut butter, jams, pies, cheese, and granola. Vendors will also have plenty of fall decor (and apparel, too) like potted mums, gourds, and of course, plenty of pumpkins. The farmers’ market will welcome a new vendor, Snyder’s Brooms, offering old-fashioned handmade brooms ready for sweeping those fall leaves.

In addition to the bounty of fall products on Saturday, families can enjoy free children’s activities, including a live book reading by Elizabeth Macy and Lucky the Dog at 10 am and live music by Brendan Dailey and Zak Trojano. Stay tuned for more family-friendly activities to be announced before Saturday’s event.

This Saturday will have it all: leaf-peeping, pumpkin purveying, and a farmers’ market bursting with fall fun and local products. We are getting into the spirit of the season with a recipe for apple pumpkin upside-down cake, and many ingredients will be available at the market this Saturday.

This week’s recipe: Apple Pumpkin Upside Down Cake