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Creating a holiday feast at the farmers’ market

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by Julia Howard

 

Enjoying a festive meal with family and friends is at the heart of every holiday celebration. But before serving up a crowd-pleasing feast, planning is required, and the Saratoga Farmers’ Market can help.

Local farms and businesses have delicious, flavorful products to consider when brainstorming dinner ideas. We recommend finding fresh ingredients at the farmers’ market before gathering recipes so that your meal comes together quickly and effortlessly. Let’s begin with the main course.

Longlesson Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

The main course should be a show-stopping dish, and local farms have various options. Grass-fed and finished beef roasts, brisket, and classic cuts like NY strip steak and ribeye are available, as well as veal cutlets, steaks, and roasts. Beefitswhatsfordinner.com has many recipes, like a maple-glazed rib roast, round roast with chocolate-port sauce, and classic braised beef brisket.

Goat roasts, rib roasts, riblets, chops, and shanks are available at the farmers’ market, making goat another delicious main course option. 

For poultry, whole turkeys are available, half turkeys, and parts for smaller gatherings. Farms bring whole chickens for roasting, and seasoned chickens are available from King Creek Farms. Squash Villa Farm brings fresh ducks, and they recommend preordering. Ask the farmer for the best cooking methods and cooking time per pound.

Pork makes an excellent holiday main course, and pasture-raised pork tenderloin, roasts, and chops are available from Pork and Greens and Jireh Farm. 

Gomez Veggie Ville, photo by Pattie Garrett

For mouth-watering side dishes, we look to healthful, locally-grown produce packed with flavor. Farms are bringing everything from fresh salad greens and herbs to root vegetables, and options are boundless if you create a menu from what’s available at the farmers’ market.

You can make latkes with russet potatoes or sweet potatoes and onions. Roasted carrots are easy to prepare and pair well with any main course. Parsnips and rutabagas make creamy purees that can be enhanced with garlic and fresh herbs. A tray of crispy, savory smashed potatoes is easy to make and a holiday favorite. Even local apples and honey can make a sweet rice kugel side dish.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Shaved carrots or Brussels sprouts sing with simple vinaigrettes for light side dishes. Salads with bitter greens balance rich meats and starches. And microgreens and shoots offer a refreshing burst of flavor to holiday foods.

Other must-haves for the holiday table are kimchi and pak dong from Puckers Pickles, artisan sourdough bread from Night Work Bread, and applesauce from Saratoga Apple, just to name a few.

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

Spicing Up Your Summer Meals

By

By: Mariah Rankin

Summer is a time when we find ourselves enjoying the company of others while dining on the fresh and vibrant ingredients that the season brings. Nothing embodies this more than a barbeque, and here at the Saratoga Farmers Market, we have just what you need to “spice” yours up. Three of our vendors specialize in spices and marinades that will help you transform your summer meals.

Momma’s Secret Salad Dressings & Marinades, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

 

Salads are a seasonal favorite, and Momma’s Secret Salad Dressings offers amazing gluten-free dressings made from all-natural ingredients. “Momma’s House Dressing” is a market favorite that also doubles as a marinade. It will add a special touch to any salad or meat. With just a small amount of their dressings, your food will explode with flavor. A portion of their proceeds is also donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

 

Muddy Trail Jerky Co., photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

 

Grilling is another summertime favorite, and Muddy Trail Jerky Co. offers 15 different spice mixes specifically for grilling that will leave your meat bursting with flavor. Their classic “Steak Seasoning” is a customer favorite that contains a delicious blend of onion, garlic, and a variety of herbs and peppers. Along with their other spice mixes, it will give any beef, lamb, pork, or poultry dish a flavorful kick.

 

Saratoga Spicery, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

 

Each week the owners of Saratoga Spicery look forward to hearing their customers share the unique ways they use their products. There are no set rules or guidelines on how to use their spice mixes, the options are limitless. These “spiceries” are unique because almost all of them can be turned into a delicious dip by combining two tablespoons to 4-parts sour cream and 1-part mayo or Greek yogurt. These tasty dips will be sure to please at any summer barbecue.

 

To learn more about these products and get some of your own for your next summer gathering, stop by our market on Saturdays.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m.on Saturdays at High Rock Park. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check us out on the FreshFoodNY app. E-mail friends@saratogafarmers.org for volunteer opportunities.

Sweet Potato Salad with Apples, Raisins and Shallots

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Adapted from the recipe by Miss Annie on www.geniuskitchen.com

Serves 6-8

Cook and prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 4 cups sweet potatoes*, peeled and cut into ½” cubes
  • 2 tart apples*, peeled, cored and chopped
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup pecan pieces, toasted (optional)
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot*, finely chopped
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1⁄3 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

  1. To cook the sweet potatoes: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Once the pan is sizzling, add a scant ¼ cup water, then cover the pan and reduce heat to low to avoid burning the contents. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sweet potato is tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
  2. Mix the sweet potatoes, apples, raisins, pecans, and shallots in a large bowl.
  3. Combine the juices, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Whisk together, then add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly.
  5. Pour over the salad, toss well to combine well, then refrigerate overnight before serving.

Kale Salad with Roasted Acorn Squash

By

Adapted from recipe by Kitchen Confidante, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Serves: 6

 

INGREDIENTS

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

For the dressing:

  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon maple syrup*
  • 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup olive oil

For the salad:

  • 1 acorn squash, halved, seeds removed, and sliced into ½ inch thick slices*
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 6 cups chopped kale*
  • 1 cup shredded carrots*
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage*
  • ½ cup currants
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds, plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup crumbled goat cheese*

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. To make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard. While whisking, drizzle in the oil and continue whisking until the dressing is fully emulsified.
  2. To make the salad: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with wire rack placed in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss the slices of squash in the oil. Place the slices of squash on the baking sheet. Season the squash with paprika. Place in the oven to roast for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  3. In a bowl, toss the kale with half of the dressing. Massage the kale with the dressing until wilted, the color is darker and looks shiny. Let it sit for around 5 minutes. Add the carrots, cabbage, currants, and sunflower seeds. Arrange the salad on a platter or in a salad bowl and top with the squash. Drizzle the remaining dressing and top with cheese and a few more seeds for garnish.

NOTES

Delicata squash makes a great addition or substitute for the acorn squash.