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Pumpkin Festival

Celebrating the Humble yet Holy Pumpkin

October 17, 2017 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

 

pumpkin-by-pattie-garrett
Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

The orange curves of our seasonal pumpkins offer an eye-catching sight at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market in late fall. And tomorrow these gorgeous gourds will take center stage as the market hosts its annual Pumpkin Fest.

Pumpkins appeal to our aesthetic and playful impulses: We use them to decorate, to carve into jack-o-lanterns, to roll across lawns.

But how often do we eat them? Perhaps not enough.

Like many, I used to look at pumpkin as pie once-a-year. I’d buy a fresh pumpkin for my husband and me. I’d cook and puree the parts into a filling with cream, brown sugar, and a half dozen sweet spices. We’d eat pie for dessert on Thanksgiving and stash another one away for leftovers nibbling.

That practice changed when I moved to Saratoga and discovered fresh pumpkins from local farms. I now create soups, stews, pies, and roasts featuring pumpkin and other hard-skinned squashes all winter long.

For many, though, the issue is taste, which is why pumpkin pie spice is so popular: it masks the pumpkin taste itself. However, J. Kenzi Lopez-Alt, columnist for Serious Eats, argues that pumpkin has a rich natural sweetness that stands well on its own if prepared right. Lopez-Alt advocates choosing small, dense fruits for cooking, and roasting the cut slices brushed lightly with oil before preparing as soup or in stews.

Most nutritionists agree that pumpkin is nutritious, low in calories and high in fiber.

Pumpkins also are inexpensive. My mother calls them the “lowliest and holiest of foods,” noting that in Hindu Indian traditions pumpkins have the blessings of gods because even the poorest can afford them.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at High Rock Park until October 28. The market moves indoors to the Lincoln Baths Building at the Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, Nov. 4. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: cooking with pumpkin, fall produce, Pumpkin Festival, pumpkins, Saratoga Farmers' Market, variety

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After a much anticipated wait, come June 1st, the After a much anticipated wait, come June 1st, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be returning to High Rock Park for our Wednesday and Saturday Markets! Thank you to everyone on our team, our vendors, customers and friends who have helped to make this transition happen. Stay tuned for upcoming events celebrating our move! 

Photo: Flowers from @lovinmamafarm 

Parking will be available on High Rock Ave and in the new City Center Parking Garage (free for the first hour and $1/hr after that) 

#saratogasprings #farmersmarket #farmtotable #shoplocal #june1st #highrockpark
It is our second to last market on High Rock Ave b It is our second to last market on High Rock Ave before heading back over to the pavilion on June 1st!!! Stop by tomorrow from 3-6pm for our musical guest Dave Moore and our friends from @bsneny 

Photos by Pattie Garrett @mysaratogakitchentable 

#farmtotable #saratogafarmersmarket #shoplocal #healthyfood #smallbuisness
Join us this Saturday for the Saratoga Farmers’ Join us this Saturday for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market located at the Wilton mall from 9am to 1pm. Our friends from @comfortfoodcommunity will be there along with our musical guest @maltacoustic . Don’t forget your sunscreen!

#saratogasprings #shoplocal #farmtotable #shopsmall #farmersmarket
Tomorrow at our Wednesday 3-6pm Market outside the Tomorrow at our Wednesday 3-6pm Market outside the lower city civic center parking lot @northernriversfostercare will be joining us for a seed planting activity for kids! #saratogasprings #farmersmarket #shoplocal

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