Saratoga Farmers' Market

Spinach

Veggie Hummus Quesadilla

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Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Barb Biagioli
Serves 2

If you’ve never tried a hummus quesadilla, you are really missing out! This snack is versatile, great fit for picky eaters, since you can add in whatever ingredients you want. With hummus as the base layer, you can stack beans, spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, tomatoes, corn, peppers, kale, onions, squash, and chickpeas. You can dip them in more hummus, salsa or guacamole. They make a great lunchbox snack, they’re an easy weeknight dinner, or a snack you can cook up quickly in the afternoons.

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 large tortilla (Ezekiel, whole wheat, or gluten free)
● ½ – 1 cup hummus*
● ½ onion*, chopped
● 5 cherry tomatoes*, halved
● 1 pepper*, chopped
● 1 cup spinach*
● ½ cup black beans
● 1 tsp chili powder
● 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. To a medium skillet, add a bit of water or vegetable stock over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the pepper, cooking for another 5 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes for 2-3 minutes, the chili powder and garlic powder, and then add the spinach until wilted.
  2. Meanwhile, set out your tortilla out and layer with hummus. On half of the tortilla, add half of your skillet veggies. Add half of the black beans and fold in half.
  3. In the same skillet, add your hummus quesadilla. Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes until warm and crispy, lightly browned. Remove from the heat and cut into 4 triangles with a pizza cutter.
  4. Repeat with the remaining tortilla.
  5. Serve the quesadillas with additional hummus for dipping, salsa, mashed avocado or guacamole.

    Note: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for party snacks and larger crowds.

Garden Picnic Pasta Salad

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Recipe courtesy of Barb Biagioli, board-certified holistic health coach and nutrition consultant

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

For the pasta salad:
● 1 box green lentil pasta, cooked
● 1 cup cherry tomatoes*, halved
● 1 zucchini*, cubed
● 1 yellow squash*, cubed
● 1 cup spinach*, chopped
● ½ cup basil*, chopped
● ½ cup walnuts, chopped

For the dressing:
● ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
● ¼ cup olive oil*
● ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
● 2 garlic cloves*
● 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the directions and allow to cool.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, place the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, herbs, and nuts. Stir to combine and set aside.
  3. Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and sea salt in a blender or food processor. Pulse or blend until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
  4. Add the dressing to the large mixing bowl of pasta and vegetables. Toss well to combine.
  5. Serve immediately or chill for an hour and enjoy!
Photo by Pattie Garrett

Harvest Season — in February???

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by Pattie Garrett

A visit to Saturday’s Saratoga Farmers’ Market during the cold winter months brings surprises: the tables are overflowing with vegetables and fruit, and each week newly harvested leafy greens and other fresh-picked produce appear. This leaves me wondering, how is it possible to grow vegetables when the temperature is below freezing? 

Paul and Sandy Arnold, who have been working the land at Pleasant Valley Farm for the past 30 years, explain that they started experimenting with winter farming in 1992 with low tunnels, and in 2006 with high tunnels. 

Paul Arnold and his daughter Kim harvest greens in a high tunnel. Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

“Through much trial and error, the high tunnel winter greens production has proven to be worthwhile. Customers are excited to come every week of the year and be able to get fresh, healthy greens. Each year, our systems have been improved so that we have a more consistent supply throughout the cold winter months, though we will always be challenged by the weather,” explains Paul, with a knowing smile.

I decided to visit the farm on a cold February day. I drive down ice covered unpaved roads for miles; upon arrival I’m greeted by a hawk’s screech and an overwhelming view. Walking past several high tunnels full of colorful vegetables, I find the Arnolds harvesting vegetables, spinach, lettuce and more. High tunnels make it possible for local farmers to extend the growing season and provide us with locally grown fresh vegetables year-round at the farmers’ market. On the Arnold’s farm, the high tunnels are made of polycarbonate material and plastic over a steel structure; the tunnel protects the plants from weather extremes, controlling the environment for the plants in a safe, natural way. The vegetables are planted directly in the soil inside the tunnel. If the tunnel detects the temperature is too high or low, the tunnels’ side curtains will move up or down automatically to maintain an appropriate temperature.

Lettuce sown in the soil of a high tunnel. Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett.

The 5000 square foot high tunnels enable the Arnolds to grow tasty winter greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, mustards, broccoli raab, Asian greens, arugula and more. Paul explains, “The seasons change the flavor of the produce. The cold may bring out its flavor or heat will enhance its sweetness.” So, enjoy your favorite vegetables and fruit from the farmers’ market, grown locally and naturally healthy and delicious all year, thanks to innovative farmers like the Arnolds.

Spinach Salad with Dates

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Adapted from NYTCooking

INGREDIENTS

 * Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

1 Tablespoon wine vinegar

½ medium red onion,* thinly sliced

½ cup dates, pitted and quartered lengthwise

pinch of salt

2 Tablespoon unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 small pitas, roughly torn into ½ inch pieces

½ cup whole unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped

6 ounces fresh spinach leaves* 

2 teaspoons lemon zest

2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Put vinegar, onion, and dates in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and mix well. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then drain and discard any residual vinegar.
  2. Meanwhile, heat butter and 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add pita and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring all the time, until the pita is golden. Add almonds and continue cooking until pita is crunchy and browned and almonds are toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and mix in the lemon zest. Set aside to cool.
  3. When ready to serve, toss spinach leaves with pita mixture in a large bowl. Add date and onion mixture, remaining 1 Tablespoon of oil, and lemon juice.

Spring Spinach Pasta Salad

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Adapted from the recipe by Barefeet in the Kitchen, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Serves: 8

 

INGREDIENTS

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 8 ounces freshly cut pasta*, fettuccine, pappardelle or ravioli
  • ½ small red onion*, thinly sliced and cut into 1-inch pieces, about ¼ cup
  • 3 large garlic cloves*, minced
  • 6 Tablespoons olive oil*
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach*
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes*, halved
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • grated Parmesan cheese*

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse the pasta.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, place the onions and garlic in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar to cover the onions. When the pasta has been drained, add it to the mixing bowl and toss well. Add the spinach and tomatoes.
  3. Toss everything together to mix well and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

 

NOTES:

Add your favorite seasonal herbs, vegetables, or meat: basil, mushrooms, sausage, bacon, anything goes!

Crustless Spinach Quiche

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Adapted from the recipe by Edible Capital District, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table

Serves: 4

 

INGREDIENTS

*Items currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

  • 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion*, finely chopped
  • 1 pound fresh spinach*, chopped
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese*
  • 6 large egg whites*
  • 1 large egg*
  • ⅓ cup fat-free, no added salt, cottage cheese
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add fresh spinach, a handful at a time, and toss until wilted and set aside. Repeat until all spinach is wilted.
  3. Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly in prepared pie plate. Top with spinach mixture.
  4. Whisk together egg whites, egg, cottage cheese, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Pour egg mixture evenly over spinach.
  5. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.