Saratoga Farmers' Market

holidays

Stuffing Stockings with the Local and Good

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

 

A monk, Nicholas, learned of a man who was broke. Late in the night, Nicholas crept by the man’s home and threw through the window a sock loaded with gold. He did this three times, which helped make Nicholas a saint and let the man support himself and his daughters.

We fill stockings today in honor of that generous act. And with Christmas Eve approaching, we invite you to fill them at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market with sweets, treats, and gifts grown, raised, and made by our farmers and other vendors.

Need ideas? Here are a few, based on some shopping that market photographer Pattie Garrett and I did at the market last week:

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Children: For those who believe in Santa – as well as those who might have some doubts – one must start with cookies. Marcie Place of the Chocolate Spoon has everything from gingerbread men to decorate-your-own sugar cookies. Try her chocolate dipped candied citrus strips, which evoke the oranges said to symbolize the gold that Nicholas left.

After cookies, think future farmers, and connecting them with our farms. We added a Saratoga Apple Cortland, honey from Ballston Lake Apiaries, sweet Greek yogurt from Argyle Cheese Farmer and a hedgehog shaped soap from Saratoga Suds.

 

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Pets (and pet lovers): A walk in the park accompanied by pets is part of many market regulars’ Saturday ritual. For them, we found a Saratoga Farmers’ Market water bottle and a packet of dog treats from Something’s Brewing. We added a Kokinda Farms catnip pillow, a Feathered Antler pet portrait, and from our special holiday market, a dog collar and leash from Meg Kennen’s Spot On Soaps & Collars.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Newlyweds: Just about everything at the market is also a gift of romance. We chose a wine from Northern Star Vineyard paired with a wine holder made by holiday vendor William Herrington. In the holiday market, we also found hot chocolate from Saratoga Chocolate, a ring holder by ceramicist Zoe Burghard, and a dressing from Momma’s Secret Salad Dressing that features sea salt, maple syrup, and chocolate. Owl Wood kale and Puckers’ Gourmet olives created our final flourish, along with a Gomez Veggie Ville brussels sprouts stalk.

 

 

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lincoln Baths Building in Saratoga Spa State Park; follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; and contact friends@saratogafarmersmarket.org for volunteer opportunities.

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.

Holiday Hot Chocolate

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Recipe courtesy of Marcie Place, owner of The Chocolate Spoon

Makes 2-3 servings

Prep time & cook time: 10 minutes

 

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

  • 3 cups of chocolate milk* (Battenkill Valley Creamery is the best!)
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4-6 oz. semi-sweet or dark chocolate* pieces coarsely chopped
  • Marshmallows* from The Chocolate Spoon

 

Directions

In a saucepan, mix together the milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk over medium heat until milk steams and sugar dissolves. Whisk in chocolate pieces, stirring until dissolved. Top with a homemade marshmallow by The Chocolate Spoon. Enjoy!