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Fall Favorites at the Farmers’ Market

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By Madison Jackson and Emily Meagher

Before the farmers’ market moves back indoors, we spend one last month with our tents up and our coats on to share fresh, local products with our community. Summer produce makes way for the fall harvest; a time for comforting food and drinks and festive seasonal products. Here are ten fall favorites you can find at our markets in October.

1. Apple cider and cider donuts
Saratoga Apple and Slyboro Cider House both operate their own orchards. Try their fresh apples, pressed apple cider, hard cider, and cider donuts. A real Upstate NY treat!

Saratoga Peanut Butter Company, photo by Madison Jackson

2. Pumpkin Pandemonium Peanut Butter
The name says it all. This Saratoga Peanut Butter Company creation is chock-full of rich pumpkin and peanut flavors. A guilt-free treat at only 2 grams of sugar per serving, it’s great on sandwiches, apples, ice cream, and more.

3. Hand-painted hats
Artist Gretchen Tisch, owner of Feathered Antler, gives hats a fall makeover. Pick up a leaf-accented fedora or hand-knit beanie at the market.

4. Hot chocolate cheesecake
Grandma Apple’s Cheesecakes’ flavors vary with the season. Our current favorite is hot chocolate cheesecake. It’s perfect for when you have company, but perfectly acceptable to eat all by yourself! Also available are apple and pumpkin cheesecakes and cheesecake filled apples dipped in chocolate.

5. Apple cider fromage frais
Nettle Meadow does cheesemaking with a creative touch, and it shows with their seasonal favorites. Back at the market are the soft apple cider fromage frais, pumpkin spice and maple chevre, and the brie-like Early Snow.

6. Local wool
Elihu Farm’s sheep produce award-winning wool, sold as washed and unwashed fleeces at the market. Pick up a fleece to do some cozy fall crafting!

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff, photo by Emily Meagher

7. Spooky soaps
At Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff, no shape of soap is too crazy. Their fall mineral soap collection includes ghosts, pumpkins, black cats, acorns, leaves, and owls.

8. Ornamental corn
Fresh summer corn is making way for ornamental fall corn. Pick up some calico or broom corn from local farms for fresh seasonal home decor.

9. Hand-ground cinnamon
Saratoga Spicery’s fresh-ground spices and spice mixes include hand-ground cinnamon. Give your baked goods an extra fresh flavor!

10. Pumpkins!
Farmers’ markets in October wouldn’t be complete without fresh gourds and winter squash. Local farms have a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes in stock – you can even find some hand-painted mini pumpkins.

Photo by Madison Jackson

This week: not a recipe, but a craft… how to make felt balls with wool roving!

Baked Goat Cheese Spread

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Recipe by Saratoga Spicery

Ingredients

Ingredients available at the farmers’ market

  • 8 oz. goat cheese*, room temperature
  • 4 oz. cream cheese*, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan* (more if you like it extra cheesy)
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil*
  • 2 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt*
  • 2-3 teaspoons (to taste) of a Saratoga Spicery seasoning*

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine all ingredients and blend by hand or in a food processor until smooth.
  2. Brush small baking dish or cast iron pan with olive oil. Spread cheese mixture into the dish. Drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Bake 12-15 minutes, until slightly golden on top.
  4. Serve with pita chips, baguettes, or your favorite cracker.

 

Note: If reheating dip, add a small amount of Greek yogurt to increase creaminess.

Spicing Up Your Summer Meals

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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.