Saratoga Farmers' Market

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parsley

Summer Squash Pasta Bake

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Recipe by the Smitten Kitchen, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 4 large portions

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Photo by Pattie Garrett

● 8 ounces pasta*, use your favorite
● 1 Tablespoon olive oil
● 1 pound summer squash*, halved lengthwise and sliced thin
● salt and pepper
● pinches of red pepper to taste
● Juice of half a lemon
● 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter*
● 5 scallions*, sliced thin and white parts and green tops in separate piles
● 2 cloves garlic*, minced
● 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
● 1½ cups milk*
● 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
● ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley*, divided
● 1 Tablespoon finely chopped mixed herbs* of choice (thyme, oregano, mint, basil)
● salt and pepper to taste
● ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan (or similar hard rind)* cheese, divided
● 4 ounces of mozzarella* cut into small cubes

Instructions
1. Cook the pasta in a 3-quart oven-safe deep skillet. Otherwise use a large pot. Cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Prepare the squash by heating the skillet used for the pasta on high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and allow to heat until very hot. Add squash and season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Let it sear underneath, unmoved until golden brown. Continue to saute until browned. Transfer to a bowl and squeeze lemon juice over the cooked squash. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
4. To make the sauce, heat the now empty skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter. Add scallion white parts and garlic and let sizzle for 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until all has been dampened and absorbed. Add milk in very small splashes. Stir the entire time. Make sure each splash has been fully mixed into the butter/onion mixture. Scrape the bottom of the pan and all-around before adding the next splash of milk. Repeat until all the milk is added then add the lemon zest, salt, pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer together for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce will thicken. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in half the parsley, all the herbs, and reserved scallion greens.
5. With the skillet off the heat, add the drained pasta, summer squash, ½ cup Parmesan and all of the mozzarella. Stir to combine. If the skillet is oven proofed, bake it the skillet. Otherwise, transfer to a 2 to 3-quart ovenproof baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with reserved parsley and serve hot.

Green Herb Yogurt Dip

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Adapted from the recipe by Washington Post Going Out Guide assistant editor Emily Codik
Makes 6 servings

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 cups plain Greek yogurt* (or full-fat plain yogurt*)
● 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint*
● 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley*
● 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill*
● 2 cloves garlic, grated
● Zest of 1 lemon plus juice of 1/2 lemon
● Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
Combine the yogurt, mint, parsley, dill, garlic, lemon zest and juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and mix well; taste to check the seasonings. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes
● Storing: You can make this ahead and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Do not freeze.
● Variations: Mix and match herbs however you like by adding fresh chives, tarragon, or basil. You can also substitute apple cider vinegar for lime juice. If you want to add some heat to this dip, add a fresh jalapeno. Half the jalapeno, remove the seeds and ribs and chop finely.
● Using this dip: Dip in fresh veggies such as carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. If you love making salads, toss your greens in this dressing. Try using as a sauce for kebabs, grilled meat, or poultry. Or use as a topping for grilled vegetables or burrito bowls.

Fresh herbs bring flavor and beauty to food

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By Julia Howard

Burger’s Market Garden, photo by Pattie Garrett

At the farmers’ market, fragrant herb bouquets and pots spilling with over with leafy herb plants offer market-goers an abundance of culinary exploration. While common herbs do compliment specific foods, there are no rules for what to use them in. Fresh herbs may be mixed and matched to your liking.

Common herbs can be put into two categories: woody herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage, and soft herbs such as basil, parsley, and cilantro. Woody herbs can be added earlier in the cooking process while soft herbs are commonly added towards the end of the cooking process or as a garnish.

Herbs can be easily stored upright in a jar of water or between a damp paper towel in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Here are just some of the common herbs available on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the farmers’ market.

Basil, photo by Pattie Garrett

Basil is recognized by its glossy, pointed leaves and sweet-savory flavor. Basil pairs well with tomatoes, strawberries, mozzarella, beef, and shrimp.

Cilantro is a delicate citrusy herb most commonly used fresh at the end of cooking. Cilantro is popular in Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican cuisines.

Mint has a subtly sweet and peppery flavor, and it is used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. Its powerful flavor compliments lamb, feta, mojitos, and even chocolate.

Dill is a delicate and feathery herb with slender stems. Dill pairs with salmon, cucumber, and potatoes, and is commonly used in pickling mixtures, dressings, and egg dishes.

Chives have a subtly oniony flavor with hints of garlic. Recognizable by its grass-like leaves and vibrant green color, chives make the perfect garnish for dishes with eggs or potatoes.

Thyme has small, pale green leaves and pungent aroma that pairs well with hearty meat like pork and chicken. Thyme holds up well to heat and can be used during the cooking process.

Parsley, photo by Pattie Garrett

Parsley is a mild bitter herb that many use as a garnish for food, but it helps dishes like stews achieve a more balanced flavor. As an added benefit, parsley can aid in digestion.

Oregano is a sweet, slightly peppery member of the mint family. This herb is commonly used in dishes like tomato sauce, yogurt sauce, and kebabs, and is a staple in Italian and Greek cuisine.

Rosemary has been prized for its sturdy, aromatic sprigs and oil for centuries. Its needle-like leaves can be used for roasted vegetables, goat cheese, and even flavorful bundt cakes.

Sage is known for its fuzzy leaves and savory flavor with a peppery bite. Fresh sage leaves are commonly used in sausage and gnocchi. Sage can be cooked or fried as a garnish for squash.

 

This week’s recipe: Green Herb Yogurt Dip

Farmers’ Market Green Salad

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Adapted from the recipe featured in Cook’s Illustrated and shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

For the Salad’s Base:
● A handful of mesclun leaves*
● A handful of arugula*
● A handful of mustard greens*
● Add herbs such as parsley*, basil*, dill*, or other favorites*

For the Croutons:
● 5 cups of ¾ inch bread cubes from ciabatta or crusty rustic loaf*
● ¼ cup water
● ¼ teaspoon table salt
● ¼ cup olive oil

For the Vinaigrette:
● 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
● 1½ teaspoons very finely minced shallot*
● ½ teaspoon mayonnaise
● ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
● ⅛ teaspoon table salt
● 3 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
1. For the salad: Toss greens together in a large bowl.
2. For the croutons: Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Sprinkle with water and salt. Toss, squeezing gently so the bread absorbs water. Heat olive oil and soaked bread cubes in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp, 7 to 10 minutes.
3. For the vinaigrette: Combine vinegar, shallot, mayonnaise, mustard, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk until mixture looks milky and no lumps of mayonnaise remain. Whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle oil into vinegar mixture. If pools of oil are gathering on the surface as you whisk, stop the addition of oil and whisk the mixture well to combine, then resume whisking in oil in a slow stream. The mixture should be glossy and slightly thickened with no pools of oil on the surface.

Notes
● Season croutons with favorite dried herbs and spices.
● Top with microgreens, veggies, fruit, crumbly cheese, seeds, or nuts.

Kohlrabi in Cream Sauce

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Recipe by Jennifer McGavin, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Yields 4 servings
Prep & cook time: 30 mins

This simple side dish may complement salt potatoes, rice, fried eggs, or even a pan-fried schnitzel. The author also recommends serving alongside breaded, pan-fried fish.

Kohlrabi in cream sauce, photo by Pattie Garrettt

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 3 to 4 fresh kohlrabi*
● 2 cups broth or salted water
● 1 1/2 tablespoons butter*
● 2 tablespoons flour
● Freshly grated nutmeg to taste
● Salt to taste
● Garnish: parsley*

Instructions

Parboil the Kohlrabi

  1. Cut away the kohlrabi’s outer skin, being sure to remove any woody or stringy parts, just under the surface. If the bulb is young, you will not have to cut as deep as if it is old. If possible, save some of the inner, tender leaves for garnish.
  2. Cut the bulb into thick slices with a large knife, then into strips or cubes, as you like.
  3. Heat the vegetable broth or salted water to boiling, then add the kohlrabi, reduce the heat and cook the vegetables until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving broth, and set aside.

Make a White Sauce or “die Mehlschwitze”

  1. Melt butter in a pan and stir in the flour. For a gluten-free sauce, use gluten-free flour, such as rice flour, brown rice flour or sorghum flour, all of which thicken just fine.
  2. Cook the flour in the butter over medium heat for several minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Little by little add the saved broth or cooking water. Stir after each addition until smooth, then bring it back to bubbling. Add enough of the broth to make a velvety sauce, about 1 to 2 cups.
  4. Season to taste with freshly grated nutmeg and salt.
  5. Stir in the cooked kohlrabi and heat through.
  6. Chop the reserved leaves and some parsley and sprinkle on top of the vegetables for a little color and a nice presentation. Enjoy!

Lamb Stew

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Recipe by Natasha’s Kitchen
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Serves 8 people

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 4 oz bacon*, chopped into 1/4″ strips
● 2 lbs boneless leg of lamb* or lamb shoulder* trimmed of excess fat, cut into 1 1/2″ pieces
● 1/2 Tbsp sea salt for the lamb plus 1 tsp for stew
● 1 tsp black pepper for lamb plus 1/2 tsp for stew
● 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
● 1 large yellow onion*, diced
● 4 garlic cloves*, minced
● 1 1/2 cups red wine*
● 1 lb mushrooms*, thickly sliced
● 4 cups low sodium beef broth or stock
● 1 Tbsp tomato paste
● 2 bay leaves
● 1/2 tsp dried thyme
● 1 1/2 lbs small potatoes* halved or quartered into 1″ pieces
● 4 medium carrots*, peeled and cut into 1/2″ thick pieces
● 1/4 cup parsley*, finely chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a 5Qt dutch oven, saute chopped bacon over medium heat until browned and fat released. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large plate.
  2. While bacon cooks, season lamb pieces with 1/2 Tbsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup flour and toss to coat. Cook lamb in 2 batches in hot bacon grease over medium heat until browned (3-4 min per side) then transfer to the plate with bacon.
  3. Add diced onion and sauté 2 min. Add garlic and cook another minute, stirring constantly. Add 1 1/2 cups wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Add sliced mushrooms, bring to simmer then cook uncovered 10 min. Preheat Oven to 325˚F.
  4. Return bacon and lamb to pot and add 4 cups broth, 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme and 2 bay leaves. Stir in potatoes and carrots, making sure potatoes are mostly submerged in liquid. Bring to a boil then COVER and carefully transfer to preheated oven at 325˚F for 1 hr and 45 min. When done, potatoes and lamb will be very tender.