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Farmers and producers share their favorite holiday foods

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by Julia Howard

 

The farmers’ market considers farmers and producers to be the ultimate foodies. They are on the pulse of what’s in season, follow food trends (and sometimes start them), and have a wealth of cooking knowledge for the foods they make and grow. At the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, vendors and farmers share their favorite foods to eat during the holiday season.

“During the holidays, I love eating struffoli, also known as honey balls, topped with colorful sprinkles,” says Jessica Arceri, owner of Saratoga Peanut Butter. “My mom makes them every year, and I just love her recipe and the tradition,” Arceri adds. “I’m also partial to Saratoga Peanut Butters Mistletoe and Catch Me peanut butter.”

Saratoga Peanut Butter, photo by Pattie Garrett.

“During the holidays, I love eating desserts and sweets,” says Laurie Kokinda of Kokinda Farm. “My family made pierogies during the holidays, but I was always interested in the pies, chocolate, and cookies – I’m a sweetaholic!” Kokinda adds with a laugh.

Kokinda Farm, photo by Toni Nastasi

“During the holidays, I love eating mac and cheese,” says Max, the salesperson for Yankee Distillers. Comfort foods are often at the center of our cravings this time of year. Between the sentiments of the holiday season and the dip in temperatures, cream sauce and carbohydrates are just the things to warm our hearts and fill our stomachs.

Sean Dean of Nettle Meadow & Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Pattie Garrett

“During the holidays, I love a good beef roast,” says Sean Dean, the salesperson for Nettle Meadow and Ballston Lake Apiaries. “It’s the time of year to make something special that you wouldn’t typically make for a weeknight meal.” Beef roasts make for a memorable holiday feast that doesn’t have to be complicated. Just prepare it with garlic and herbs. 

“During the holidays, I love eating chickories,” says Himanee Gupta, co-owner of Squashvilla Farm. Chickories are bitter greens like frisée, escarole, and radicchio varieties that grow in the spring and fall. Pairing rich sides and hearty meats with a fresh, healthful salad offers balance to a heavy meal and aids digestion. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturday, December 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stop by for fresh ingredients for your favorite holiday staples.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Fall trends at the farmers’ market

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By Julia Howard

 

The whoosh of fall is here. It’s the time of year when we trade beach bags for light jackets, mums and pumpkins replace annual outdoor flowers, and summer salads give way to warm, comforting meals. While our lives are busy with obligations and activities, here are some ideas to slow down and get in the season’s spirit.

Fall Decor 

The season’s harvest of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, sizes, and textures encourages creativity in indoor and outdoor decor. Hardy fall plants such as mums and flowering kale offer a fresh burst of autumnal color to front steps and window boxes. You can also find cut flowers and stunning dried wreaths at the Wednesday and Saturday farmers’ markets. 

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings with Roast Chicken, Green Peas, Celery and Carrots

Warm Meals

Cooler temperatures call for soups, stews, and oven-roasted meals that have the benefit of warming the house without turning on the heat. Fall produce such as squash, Brussels sprouts, and freshly dug potatoes are ideal for roasting with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stew meat, chicken, lamb, pork, and beef roasts are fall favorites. They are easy to prepare and result in flavorful meals. 

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Pumpkin Spice Everything

Love or loath, pumpkin spice is everywhere this time of year. Local producers do it right and use natural ingredients. From classic pumpkin pie by The Food Florist to pumpkin spice chèvre by Nettle Meadow, pumpkin spice products are aplenty at the farmers’ market. Are you looking to replicate the classic pumpkin pie spice yourself? Try Muddy Trail’s pumpkin streusel muffin mix and pumpkin pie seasoning (which is also excellent in pancakes on lattes, etc.).

Feathered Antler, photo provided

Seasonal Comforts

Warm up with Feathered Antler’s soft knit hats and cozies as the temperature dips. Kim Dolan Designed has hand-dyed plush sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts. Kokinda Farm makes corn toasty warming pads perfect for relaxing and warming cold bed sheets. You can find comfort in a hot cup of locally roasted coffee or a custom tea blend from Something’s Brewing. Or maybe a Slate Valley Farms’ maple syrup drizzle on a steamy bowl of oatmeal. However you find comfort, fall encourages the pursuit. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Rock Park. The farmers’ market will move to the Wilton Mall on November 5. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Celebrate Earth Day by heading to the farmers’ market

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By Julia Howard

Earth Day is April 22, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on the environment; what can we do to honor and protect the nature surrounding us. Earthday.org describes this global event as not just a day but a movement. At Saratoga Farmers’ Market, we agree wholeheartedly. The environmentally-conscious collaboration between local businesses, farms, shoppers, and the community is inspiring and encouraging, and we invite you to join in!

Composting at the Saratoga Farmers Market, photo by Madison Jackson.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market is pleased to continue offering community composting with help from Squash Villa Farm. Market-goers may drop fruit and vegetable scraps and compostable household matter like coffee grounds and eggshells in a large composting bin located at the TrustCo entrance at the Wilton Mall. Composted material is donated to local farms.

By shopping with baskets and reusable bags and adopting healthy habits like carpooling or taking public transit, we all can contribute to a healthy environment. 

And, when you shop at Saratoga Farmers’ Market, every dollar makes a difference in supporting local farms and businesses that, in turn, support environmental health and sustainability.

Local businesses have found innovative ways to reduce waste, which substantially affects the environment. Mean Max Brew Works repurposes their spent grain at [farmacy] Restobar in Glens Falls, where the restaurant makes crackers and other dishes from the leftovers. Argyle Cheese Farmer makes bread from whey, a byproduct of making cheese. Award-winning cheesemakers, Nettle Meadow, feed whey to their goats. And, Pork & Greens pigs feast on food bank goods, spent brewer’s grains, and whey.

Businesses like Junbucha prioritize environmental stewardship by composting food waste and recycling cardboard, metal, and plastic in their production facility. Filtering systems reduce their water consumption.

Reusing packaging is also a top priority. Farms accept clean egg cartons, plastic and glass containers, and even rubber bands from produce. Ballston Lake Apiaries sterilizes and reuses all of their glass honey jars rinsed and returned by customers. 

Lovin’ Mama Farm, photo provided

Many local farms, such as Pleasant Valley Farm, compost, rotate crops and use cover crops to hold soil nutrients. These farming practices are vital in supporting land ecology. Lovin’ Mama and Owl Wood Farm promote no-till, regenerative farming. Undisturbed soil layers build a healthy ecosystem with many benefits—mainly healthy soil to grow healthy food.

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

Maple Syrup a Sign of Spring

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By Julia Howard

In the quiet of the night, on the eve of a March snowstorm, Slate Valley Farms’ owners Pat Imbimbo and his daughter Gina Willis began boiling sap for their first batch of maple syrup for the season. 

“Last year, we started boiling on Valentine’s Day, so I worked hard and tapped our entire farm in February thinking I was behind,” says Gina. “But then it stayed cold this whole time, so I had weeks of waiting and checking every day to see if we could start boiling.”

For maple syrup producers, the climate is a crucial factor. When daytime temperatures rise above freezing and nighttime temperatures fall below freezing, the fluctuation creates pressure in the maple trees, encouraging sap to flow. 

120-yr-old maple at Slate Valley Farms, courtesy of Slate Valley Farms

This season, Pat and Gina tapped 4,000 maple trees on their 101-acre family-run farm in the hills of Granville near the Vermont border. 

Their sap-gathering is automated, using a vacuum system Pat monitors on his iPhone. The sap runs through a reverse osmosis system, removing much of the water before boiling.  This method results in less boiling time, less fuel, and a better quality syrup. 

This Saturday, March 19, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market celebrates the beginning of maple season and the return of Slate Valley with the season’s first batch of maple syrup. There will be plenty of maple-infused food and drinks to enjoy, too!

 

TogoNola, photo by Toni Nastasi

TogaNola offers $1 off of its products made with locally-produced maple syrup. Nettle Meadow will bring their maple chevre, and R&G Cheesemakers will have their sweet and spicy maple chipotle chevre. Argyle Cheese Farmer will have maple Greek yogurt and traditional maple yogurt. Stop by Something’s Brewing for a maple latte or a bag of maple-nut flavored coffee beans. Muddy Trail’s Jerky Co. will bring a variety of maple products: maple beef snack sticks, maple BBQ dry rub, and pancake mix for soaking up all that delicious maple syrup.

Various local farms will bring eggs, bacon, and ham to make sweet and savory maple-drenched breakfasts to help you celebrate maple season at home.

Children and families can look forward to a maple-themed activity at Saturday’s celebration of maple season.

At Slate Valley Farms, Gina is hopeful for a lengthy and abundant maple sap harvest with prolonged cold temperatures. A reason for all of us to appreciate the changeable temperatures that come with spring’s onset.

This weeks recipe: Baked Oatmeal with Maple Syrup

Making the most of Super Bowl-Valentine’s Day

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By Julia Howard

Whether you’re shopping for Super Bowl snacks or scrambling to find a thoughtful gift for Valentine’s Day, or maybe both, Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors are prepared to meet all your needs at tomorrow’s market. 

Southy Sweets’ assorted Valentine’s Day special, photo by Toni Nastasi.

First, let’s talk about sweets. Our favorite chocolatiers at Saratoga Chocolate Company ask, “What’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate?”. Shop for their Valentine’s Trio, a variety of dark and milk chocolate infused with organic cacao nibs, passion fruit, and sugared violets. Southy Sweets has decadent chocolate and vanilla cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Our friends at Boozy Moo! encourage you to show your love with their Red Velvet Valentine ice cream cake made with Bailey’s Red Velvet liqueur, vodka, red velvet cookie crumble, and whipped cream frosting.

Now for snacks. Argyle Cheese Farmer, Nettle Meadow, and R&G Cheesemakers have a variety of cheeses for your Super Bowl spread or to share with your love on Valentine’s Day. But buyer beware, these local cheeses are so good that we won’t blame you if you decide to keep them for yourself. Muddy Trail Jerky Co. has dip mixes, sweet potato chips, and a variety of jerky suitable for snacking and gifting. And, Pork and Greens has a special that includes 1lb of tenderloin, bacon-pork rillettes, and a bag of pea shoots for $32.50. The kit also features cooking tips, recipes, pairing suggestions, and P&G stickers. Pre-order by emailing thisisporkandgreens@gmail.com.

Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Toni Nastasi

For Valentine’s Day gifting, Kim Dolan of  Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry says, “Why break tradition when it’s something as timeless as handcrafted jewelry?”. Shop her selection of silver and gemstone jewelry. Ballston Lake Apiaries has various hand-poured beeswax candles.

Something’s Brewing, photo by Toni Nastasi

Last but certainly not least, Something’s Brewing understands the ultimate gift is a great cup of coffee. Try their chocolate fudge-flavored coffee for Valentine’s Day. And, don’t forget to stock up on beer from Mean Max Brew Works – perfect for the Super Bowl and your favorite beer enthusiast.

There are no rules for snacking or gifting, so if you feel like indulging in chocolate-covered strawberries during the half-time show or giving yourself a beautiful piece of jewelry, follow your happiness and shop local.

This weeks’ recipe: Raspberry Crumble Bars

 

 

A Farm-to-Table Thanksgiving Guide, Part 2: Sides, Desserts, and More

By

By Emily Meagher

Last week, we looked at the different meats (and meat alternatives) that will be available at the farmers’ market this holiday season, with something for any size gathering. This week, we are looking at all the other items our vendors will offer this Saturday to make your favorite sides, desserts, and more.

Gomez Veggie Ville, photo by Pattie Garrett

Since traditional Thanksgiving meals use seasonal ingredients, you will find many vegetables needed to create your favorite dinner sides at the farmers’ market. A mash will please most holiday guests, and local farms have potatoes aplenty right now. Mix it up by grabbing beer from Mean Max Brew Works to make beer mashed potatoes (recipe below!). Sweet potatoes or celeriac also work great for a mash.

Nettle Meadow, photo by Emily Meagher

Many types of squash are available to make into soup or pie. For flavorful roasted vegetables, try carrots, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. If a side salad is on your menu, we have fresh greens and kale. Grab maple syrup or honey, too, for a delicious glaze or dressing. You will find plenty of fresh herbs at Shushan Valley Hydro Farm. Add these herbs to stuffing along with freshly baked bread, which you can get on Saturday to turn perfectly stale for baking by Thursday. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower stuffing instead. Add cranberry jam from Kokinda Farm for an easy and delicious condiment.

Then, for the sweetest part of dinner: dessert. You can find baked goods at several vendors, including frozen, unbaked pies at The Food Florist for an easy dessert that still feels homemade. One of the market’s newest vendors Boozy Moo!, offers alcohol-infused ice cream (5% ABV) to add a joyful spirit to the event (a great way to reduce any potential family friction!).

Muddy Trail Jerky Co., photo by Emily Meagher

And, for those who prefer savory over sweet, charcuterie boards and cheese plates are always a holiday hit. Add items like Nettle Meadow’s cranberry fromage frais for a seasonal touch.

Whiskey, beer, spirits, and ciders are available to be enjoyed with your meal. Add Muddy Trail Jerky’s mulling spices to the latter for a heartwarming way to cap a day spent enjoying good food with your loved ones.

This week’s recipe: Beer Mashed Potatoes