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seasonal vegetables

Unlocking the Secrets of Celeriac

January 11, 2018 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

 

Celeriac, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Saratoga winters are harsh. It’s cold. The snow keeps coming. We can play in the fresh drifts and warm ourselves by the fire. But ultimately the taste buds start crying for something crunchy, tangy, and fresh.

Celeriac might be the salve.

This beige, knobby root vegetable typically makes its appearance at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market just before Christmas. Currently, it is available from Gomez VeggieVille, whose members swear by the root. According to Valentina Gomez, it is celery with oomph. Her husband recommends peeling the outer surface, slicing into it thinly, and eating it as is or in a salad. She suggests steaming it, sautéing it, roasting it, or letting it steep into a root vegetable gratin or stew.

 

“How you like celery is how to like celeriac,” says Valentina Gomez.

Over the years, I have bought celeriac from the Gomez’s and others. I have treated it more like an ingredient to add to a dish, rather than a dish in and of itself. It tasted to me like celery and maybe licorice. A little went a long way.

Then, Pattie Garrett, market photographer and author of the My Saratoga Kitchen Table food blog,

began inundating me with recipes featuring celeriac: celeriac fries, mashed celeriac and potatoes, a gratin that includes celeriac.

Market director Julia Howard also got on the celeriac beat.

“I always saw it at the market but rarely tried it,” says Howard. “I think mainly because I wasn’t sure how to prepare it.”

Celeriac (celery root)

Howard’s mother, who is from Germany where celeriac is common, suggested that she try it. Howard peeled a root and steamed it. “I ate it with a little bit of salt. It was really good. It was fresh and crisp like an apple, but when cooked was tender like steamed broccoli or cauliflower. It has a hint of sweetness.”

Garrett, Howard, and Gomez have emboldened me to experiment with celeriac. I have steamed it, roasted it, chopped it into salads, and eaten it as I like to eat celery – with peanut butter.

Celeriac has proved its worth. Its flavor reminds me of seasons past and of the spring to come. It is crisp, tangy, and good.

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lincoln Baths Building in Saratoga Spa State Park; follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; and contact friends@saratogafarmersmarket.org for volunteer opportunities.

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: Celeriac, Celery root, Gomez VeggieVille, Saratoga Farmers' Market, Saratoga Springs, Saturdays, seasonal vegetables, shop local, winter produce

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Today at our International Flavor Fest! Thank you Today at our International Flavor Fest! Thank you to everyone who came by today. We hope you had fun! 😋🌎🌾
Exciting news! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Flav Exciting news! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Flavor Fest is happening tomorrow! 🎉🍴 Our vendors have amazing samples for you to taste, including mouth-watering chorizo and bratwurst from Hebron Valley Meats and delectable Chicken Briyani from Perfect Plant Farm. 😍 Don't forget to grab your passport for a chance to win a prize by collecting stamps from market vendors! 🛍️ @worldkidsmuseum will also be joining us with a fun kid's craft to make your own fortune cookie 🥠, and CCE food is back with a fermentation activity. 🌱 See you there! ✈️🌎😋

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #thingstodoinupstateny #internationalfood #flavorfest #farmersmarket #kidsactivities #smallbuisness #shoplocal
Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at th Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at the Saratoga Farmers' Market! 🍄🌱 This week, we're thrilled to highlight the Mushroom Shop and their incredible selection of locally grown and harvested mushrooms. We spoke with owner's Jacob and Elysee to learn more.

Q: What are some of the health benefits associated with consuming mushrooms?

A: Mushrooms contain a multitude of medicinal compounds. The mushroom species Cordyceps militaris contains cordycepin, which increases your blood's ability to absorb and transport oxygen, improving exercise performance. Mukitake or Panellus serotinus possesses compounds that have shown in recent studies to improve liver function in people suffering from fatty liver disease. Reishi mushrooms improve immune health, warding off sickness and reducing inflammation. Other medicinal mushrooms include Turkey Tail, Chaga, Agarikon, Maitake, and Lions Mane.

Q: What inspired you to start selling mushrooms at the farmers' market?

A: We initially got our inspiration from a mushroom farm based in Tennessee called Mossy Creek Mushrooms. They have many videos on Youtube covering every aspect of operating a mushroom farm from building and maintaining equipment to harvesting and marketing mushrooms. Jacob has had an interest in growing mushrooms as a hobby for about eight years when he discovered a patch of oyster mushrooms growing in the wild. We got the opportunity to lease land in the beginning of 2021 and shortly after started selling at farmers’ markets.

Q: How do you recommend customers prepare and cook the mushrooms they purchase from you?

A: At our farmers markets we always provide printed recipes that utilize the mushrooms available during the current season. Like meat, mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as sautéing, roasting, and grilling to create a flavorful dish. One of our recent favorites is a Spicy Crispy Lion's Mane Sandwich- a thick slab of Lion's Mane mushroom battered and fried on a toasted bun with spicy mayo and pickles. This is a delicious take on a chicken sandwich made entirely of whole, natural produce. 

*Find the Mushroom shop year round at our Saturday markets!*

#saratogafarmersmarket
Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Join us on Saturday, March 25th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Saratoga Farmers' Market's International Flavor Fest in the Wilton Mall food court! 🎉 Indulge in frgál cakes, julekaker, burek, curries, samosas, and more, representing cuisines from all around the world! 🌎 There will be live music, family-friendly activities, and food tastings that will take your taste buds on a journey around the globe! 🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plus, our friends at the World Awareness Children's Museum will be hosting a paper fortune cookie making session for the kiddos! Don't forget to pick up your passport for a chance to win a prize by filling it with stamps from market vendors! Let's celebrate our traditions, history, and community through the language of flavorful food! 😍🍴

 #InternationalFlavorFest #SaratogaFarmersMarket #FoodieAdventure #CommunityConnection

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