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swiss chard

Swiss Chard and Kale Gratin

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Cook’s Illustrated, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 pounds Swiss chard*
● 1 pound curly kale*, stemmed and cut into 1 inch wide strips
● 2 garlic cloves*, peeled
● 3 cups rustic white bread*, cut into ¾ inch cubes
● 5 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
● 1 cup Parmesan cheese
● ¾ teaspoon table salt, divided
● ½ teaspoon pepper, divided
● 1 onion*, chopped coarse
● 1½ teaspoon minced fresh thyme*
● 1 cup heavy cream
● ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions
1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Stem chard, then cut stems into 2 inch lengths and set aside. Slice leaves into 1 inch wide strips. Bring 2 cups water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add kale, cover and reduce heat to medium-high. Cook until kale is wilted about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. Add chard leaves, cover and continue to cook until chard is wilted, about 4 minutes longer, stirring halfway through cooking. Transfer to colander set in sink and let drain. Do not wash pot.
2. Pulse garlic in food processor until coarsely chopped, 5 to 7 pulses. Add bread and 3 Tablespoons oil and pulse until largest crumbs are smaller than ¼ inch, 8 to 10 pulses. Add Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and pulse to combine. Transfer to bowl.
3. Add onion and chard stems to now empty processor and process until finely chopped, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, 20 to 30 seconds. Transfer to now-empty pot. Add thyme, remaining 2 Tablespoons oil, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until moisture has evaporated and mixture is just beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Using spatula, press gently on greens in colander to remove excess moisture. Transfer greens to pot with onion mixture. Add cream and nutmeg and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over surface. Bake until topping is golden brown and filling bubbles around edges 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Beans and Greens

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Mark Bittman, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 8

Ingredients
* Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 1 pound of dried beans*
● 1 medium onion*, unpeeled
● 2 teaspoons salt
● 1 teaspoon pepper
● 2 bunches (about 3 pounds) escarole (or other greens such as broccoli rabe, kale*, or swiss chard*) with no stem over ¼ inch thick, well washed and roughly chopped
● 2 Tablespoons minced garlic, or more to taste
● ¼ cup olive oil
● 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or other aged hard cheese* of choice
● Optional garnish: fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions
1. Rinse the beans under running water, picking through them for stones or debris. Soak them if you have the time, and put them in a large pot with enough cold water to cover by about three inches. Add the onion. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat so bubbles are barely visible. Cover the pot tightly and let the beans cook undisturbed for 45 minutes.
2. Try a bean. If it’s at all tender, add the salt and pepper. Make sure the beans are still covered by about an inch of water. Add a little more if necessary. If the beans are still hard, don’t add seasoning yet and make sure they’re covered by about two inches of water, if not, add some.
3. Return the liquid to its very gentle bubble and cover. Now start checking for doneness every 10 to 15 minutes and if necessary add enough water to keep the beans just submerged. Small beans will take as little as 15 minutes or more. Older or larger beans can take up to an hour or more. If you haven’t added salt and pepper yet, add them when the beans are just turning tender.
4. Add the greens and cook until they are tender, 10 to 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the stems. If you want a soupy mixture add more water. Remove the onion. A few minutes before serving, stir in the garlic and olive oil. Spoon the beans and greens into bowls, and garnish with Parmesan and breadcrumbs.

Notes: Use any white bean. Substitute dried with canned beans.

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.