Shop Local, Eat Fresh at the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Food, Crafts, Music in Saratoga Springs

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

sweets

Making the most of Super Bowl-Valentine’s Day

By

By Julia Howard

Whether you’re shopping for Super Bowl snacks or scrambling to find a thoughtful gift for Valentine’s Day, or maybe both, Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors are prepared to meet all your needs at tomorrow’s market. 

Southy Sweets’ assorted Valentine’s Day special, photo by Toni Nastasi.

First, let’s talk about sweets. Our favorite chocolatiers at Saratoga Chocolate Company ask, “What’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate?”. Shop for their Valentine’s Trio, a variety of dark and milk chocolate infused with organic cacao nibs, passion fruit, and sugared violets. Southy Sweets has decadent chocolate and vanilla cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Our friends at Boozy Moo! encourage you to show your love with their Red Velvet Valentine ice cream cake made with Bailey’s Red Velvet liqueur, vodka, red velvet cookie crumble, and whipped cream frosting.

Now for snacks. Argyle Cheese Farmer, Nettle Meadow, and R&G Cheesemakers have a variety of cheeses for your Super Bowl spread or to share with your love on Valentine’s Day. But buyer beware, these local cheeses are so good that we won’t blame you if you decide to keep them for yourself. Muddy Trail Jerky Co. has dip mixes, sweet potato chips, and a variety of jerky suitable for snacking and gifting. And, Pork and Greens has a special that includes 1lb of tenderloin, bacon-pork rillettes, and a bag of pea shoots for $32.50. The kit also features cooking tips, recipes, pairing suggestions, and P&G stickers. Pre-order by emailing thisisporkandgreens@gmail.com.

Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Toni Nastasi

For Valentine’s Day gifting, Kim Dolan of  Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry says, “Why break tradition when it’s something as timeless as handcrafted jewelry?”. Shop her selection of silver and gemstone jewelry. Ballston Lake Apiaries has various hand-poured beeswax candles.

Something’s Brewing, photo by Toni Nastasi

Last but certainly not least, Something’s Brewing understands the ultimate gift is a great cup of coffee. Try their chocolate fudge-flavored coffee for Valentine’s Day. And, don’t forget to stock up on beer from Mean Max Brew Works – perfect for the Super Bowl and your favorite beer enthusiast.

There are no rules for snacking or gifting, so if you feel like indulging in chocolate-covered strawberries during the half-time show or giving yourself a beautiful piece of jewelry, follow your happiness and shop local.

This weeks’ recipe: Raspberry Crumble Bars

 

 

Exploring the Sweet Side of the Farmers’ Market

By

By Julia Howard

The Chocolate Spoon, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Beneath a dozen eggs and some carrots with sprawling greens lay some of the most delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted. The Chocolate Spoon was the last stop on my list this past Saturday, and the farmers’ market crowd was beginning to swell. Once the cookies were safely tucked away in my basket, I headed for my car.

Indulging in a sweet treat has become a part of my Wednesday or Saturday shopping ritual – a reward for working hard all week. The rewards vary. Last week, it was applesauce from Saratoga Apple. The apples, slowly and gently cooked, have the perfect chunky consistency and balance of sweetness and tart. With no sugar added, I felt like I was doing something good for myself. The week before that, my treat was Mrs. London’s famous buttery almond croissant. And, the week before that, I fondly recall rich, creamy chocolate milk from Battenkill Valley Creamery.

Slate Valley Farms, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Whatever farmers’ market sweets I choose to indulge in, they are always fresh, delicious, and an ode to quality, local ingredients. Perhaps that’s why they have become my shopping tradition. And, they are treats that I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing myself.

Argyle Cheese Farmer, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Market sweets come in a variety of sizes to accommodate any desire or occasion. Satisfy a small craving with a honey stick from Slate Valley Farms or personal-sized Sweet Greek yogurt from Argyle Cheese Farmer. Looking for a larger quantity to share? Perhaps a pie from The Food Florist or cheesecake from Grandma Apples Cheesecakes. Tiramisu from Giovanni Fresco is some of the best you’ll try, and baklava from Euro Delicacies is authentic and sweetened with local honey. Dickinson’s Delights’ Nutella crepes are filled with seasonal fruit and make for a decadent and gooey dessert that could be eaten for breakfast.

Looking for gluten-free or dairy-free options? Farmers’ market vendors have those too.

What about the unique chocolate craving that we all succumb to? Saratoga Chocolate Company has a variety of handmade cocoa creations to satisfy that specific desire that must be met.

The next time you’re shopping at the farmer’s market, make time for something on the sweeter side. You’ll be glad you did.

For this week’s recipe, I leave you with chocolate chip zucchini muffins. They are cake-like, sweet, and satisfying with a healthy touch.