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Roasted Beet and Apple Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

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Recipe by Marisa Kerkvliet

Yields: 4 servings 

Ingredients 

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market 

For the salad: 

  • 3 medium-size beets or 1 large beet* 
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced* 
  • 1 bag baby lettuce* 
  • 1 handful pea shoots or microgreens* 
  •  ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese* 
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts 

For the vinaigrette 

  • ¼ cup olive oil 
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoons minced red or yellow onion* 
  • 2 teaspoons honey* 
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard 
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

Instructions 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Trim the stem end off of each beet, wrap in a piece of aluminum foil, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast beets for 1-2 hours or until they are tender when pierced with a paring knife. 
  2. Allow the beets to cool and gently rub off the skin. The beets can be used at this point or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
  3. When ready to serve, slice the beets into ¼ inch slices and arrange them on a serving platter. Layer on the sliced apple, baby lettuce, pea shoots, feta cheese, and walnuts and set aside. 
  4. To make the dressing combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced onion, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in the jar or a small blender and blend on high for 15-30 seconds or until completely smooth. If you do not have a blender small enough for this quantity, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl. 
  5. Pour dressing over the plated salad and serve immediately.

Mean Max Beer Cheese Sauce

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Recipe provided by [farmacy] Restobar in Glens Falls

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 1 pint Maximilian Dark Mexican Lager*
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup milk*
  • 3 cup shredded cheese* 

Instructions

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, and whisk for 30 seconds. Slowly add beer and reduce heat, constantly stirring until thickened. Add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, spices, and milk stirring until well blended. Add shredded cheese slowly, one cup at a time, until thickened. Enjoy with crusty bread, crackers, pretzels, or your favorite chips.

Harvest Season — in February???

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by Pattie Garrett

A visit to Saturday’s Saratoga Farmers’ Market during the cold winter months brings surprises: the tables are overflowing with vegetables and fruit, and each week newly harvested leafy greens and other fresh-picked produce appear. This leaves me wondering, how is it possible to grow vegetables when the temperature is below freezing? 

Paul and Sandy Arnold, who have been working the land at Pleasant Valley Farm for the past 30 years, explain that they started experimenting with winter farming in 1992 with low tunnels, and in 2006 with high tunnels. 

Paul Arnold and his daughter Kim harvest greens in a high tunnel. Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

“Through much trial and error, the high tunnel winter greens production has proven to be worthwhile. Customers are excited to come every week of the year and be able to get fresh, healthy greens. Each year, our systems have been improved so that we have a more consistent supply throughout the cold winter months, though we will always be challenged by the weather,” explains Paul, with a knowing smile.

I decided to visit the farm on a cold February day. I drive down ice covered unpaved roads for miles; upon arrival I’m greeted by a hawk’s screech and an overwhelming view. Walking past several high tunnels full of colorful vegetables, I find the Arnolds harvesting vegetables, spinach, lettuce and more. High tunnels make it possible for local farmers to extend the growing season and provide us with locally grown fresh vegetables year-round at the farmers’ market. On the Arnold’s farm, the high tunnels are made of polycarbonate material and plastic over a steel structure; the tunnel protects the plants from weather extremes, controlling the environment for the plants in a safe, natural way. The vegetables are planted directly in the soil inside the tunnel. If the tunnel detects the temperature is too high or low, the tunnels’ side curtains will move up or down automatically to maintain an appropriate temperature.

Lettuce sown in the soil of a high tunnel. Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett.

The 5000 square foot high tunnels enable the Arnolds to grow tasty winter greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, mustards, broccoli raab, Asian greens, arugula and more. Paul explains, “The seasons change the flavor of the produce. The cold may bring out its flavor or heat will enhance its sweetness.” So, enjoy your favorite vegetables and fruit from the farmers’ market, grown locally and naturally healthy and delicious all year, thanks to innovative farmers like the Arnolds.

Delicata Squash and Onions

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Adapted from Eating Well Magazine and shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Ingredients:

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

2 large delicata squash* (2 pounds)

1 medium red onion*, sliced

3 Tablespoons olive oil*, divided

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary*

1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup*, to taste

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Cut crosswise into ½ inch half circles. Toss with onion, 1 Tablespoon oil and salt in a large bowl. Spread in an even layer on baking sheet. 

Roast, stirring once or twice, until tender and beginning to brown about 30 minutes.

Combine the remaining 1 Tablespoon of oil, rosemary, maple syrup, and mustard in a small bowl. Toss the vegetable with the dressing.