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

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

winter

Eating with the seasons – even in February

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By Himanee Gupta

 

One belief about eating local is that we cannot do it in February. The ground is frozen. Nothing is growing. It is cold. 

We grit our teeth as we head for the grocery store, knowing that what we’ll find will have traveled several hundred miles and will not be cheap.

Pretty bleak? 

It need not be.

While it is true that farmers cannot grow much in frozen soil, they still can offer foods grown, raised, or made at their farms. That is what the Saratoga Farmers Market brings you every Saturday. Even though the offerings and number of vendors are smaller at this time of year, there’s good stuff available for delicious meals throughout the week.

Consider: 

  • Soups made with butternut squash, carrots, turnips, and potatoes. Gomez Veggie Ville and Lovin’ Mama Farms have these classic winter vegetables. Cook them with bone broths from King’s Creek Farm or simply water. For a creamy touch, give the soup a light puree with a blender, and then stir in some A2 milk from the Argyle Cheese Farmer. Put some microgreens from the Perfect Plant Farm on top.
A2 milk from Argyle Cheese Farmer, photo by Madison Jackson
  • Meats. Chicken, duck, goat, pork, beef, and veal are currently available. Think about roasts, stews, meatloaf, chili, casseroles, and burgers – just to get started. Farm-raised meat might seem expensive by the pound. However, many cuts are available in smaller packages, such as stew meats and chops. And our meat producers are good cooks who know how to prepare a larger cut, such as a roast or a whole duck or chicken, and also how to create marvelous second, third, or even fourth meals with leftovers. They’re happy to share their tips. Stop by the tables of Hebron Valley, Hepatica, Jireh, King’s Creek, Longlesson, and Squash Villa farms, and ask.
  • Homemade sides and treats. In addition to sweet and savory baked goods are stuffed dates, pickled beets and cabbages, jams, cheeses, granola mixes, and hummus. Combining farm-made foods with vegetables and meats can add a healthy, flavorful balance to winter meals. Look for such items at Kokinda Farms, Nightwork Bread, Puckers Gourmet Pickles, Parchment, Sweet Prophecy, and The Cookie Lab, among others.
Kokinda Farm, photo by Toni Nastasi

And the days are getting longer, so popular items such as eggs, spinach, kale, and salad greens are becoming more available.
        One trick for making the most of a farmers market visit both now and year-round: Treat your shopping list as a guide, not a rule. Take in all of what the market offers. Let yourself make changes and substitutions because you can. That’s what makes eating local possible and exciting, even in February.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Stuffing

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Recipe shared by Night Work Break

Serves 6-8

Prep & cook time: 1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 6 oz long grain and wild rice mixture
  • 3/4 c sherry
  • 2 tbsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 ½ cups chopped celery*
  • 1/4 lb. butter
  • 2 cups sourdough* croutons
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Cook rice, substituting 3/4 c sherry for water in the rice. Sautee celery in butter until the celery begins to soften, about 6-8 minutes. Add the croutons and hot water, allowing the bread to absorb the water, and mix well. Then, add pecans and the cooked rice and mix. Bake in a casserole dish with the turkey or use as a stuffing. If baking on its own, bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

 

Trendy Empress brings fun and functional kid’s clothes to the farmers’ market

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By Julia Howard

 

Parents know that every stitch matters when it comes to clothing for children and babies. Trendy Empress Boutique, a new children’s clothing company based in Fort Edward, introduces a clothing line focusing on functional, wearable goods made with high-quality fabrics with fun prints.

Jessica Gerber, owner and creator of Trendy Empress Boutique, started the business one year ago when she received a sewing machine as a Christmas present. “I sewed so much that the machine broke in two months,” Gerber laughs. This happening did not deter Gerber from her love of creating clothes.

“Ever since I was little, I have always loved fashion,” explains Gerber. A busy mother of two young boys and an engineer by day, Gerber works at designing and creating clothes in her free time. 

Trendy Empress, photo provided

“I wanted to make comfortable and sturdy clothes for my kids because there isn’t very much variety for boys in stores,” says Gerber. Even though she is new to sewing, she dedicates herself to the task. Gerber enjoys the process so much that she brings her handmade creations to the community as a new vendor at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

  Gerber primarily makes kid’s clothing, hats, scarves, and hair accessories for newborn to teen sizes. Her designs include dresses, rompers, shirt and pants sets, toddler underwear, boxers, and briefs. 

Her styles vary; some are simple, classic pieces, while others have fun character prints like Bluey. Gerber also makes gender-neutral clothes with charming patterns and prints for babies and toddlers.

Trendy Empress Boutique offers festive children’s holiday outfits emphasizing wearability, function, and comfort. The holiday line includes red velvet dresses with faux fur trim, Santa shirt and pants sets, and dresses and tops made with festive Santa and reindeer patterns paired with black pants.

Trendy Empress, photo by Graciela Colston

For Gerber, the quality of the material she works with is crucial to the integrity of Trendy Empress clothing. “I try to source most of the material from small, women-owned businesses,” says Gerber. She works with cotton, bamboo cotton, and some cotton-poly blends – all breathable, soft materials that wash and wear well. “It’s important that my clothes are functional for parents, too,” Gerber says.

You can find Trendy Empress Boutique on Saturdays at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, and Gerber accepts custom and upcycle orders by email at trendyempress@gmail.com. Trendy Empress Boutique’s website is under construction, but you can find the company on Facebook and Instagram @TrendyEmpress. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market this Holiday Season

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By Julia Howard

 

The holiday shopping season is here, and what’s better than finding unique, local gifts for your loved ones? Finding them in one convenient place at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. We offer a bright, spacious shopping environment featuring 40+ local businesses in the food court of the Wilton Mall.

Saratoga Chocolate Co., photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Vendors offer plenty of locally made giftable items, stocking stuffers, and holiday home decor. Here’s a preview of gifts for everyone on your list.

Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, even more so when it’s locally made.

Zoe Burghard Ceramics has a stunning variety of pottery, including vases, fruit bowls, colenders, spoon rests, rign holders, mugs, and other functional dishes – all created with Burghard’s unique style and brilliant glazes. 

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Yankee Distillers proudly stands out as an NYS Farm Distillery, where they use 100% unmalted New York State Grain to produce outstanding bourbon, rye, and vodka. 

Feathered Antler, photo by Graciela Colston

Feathered Antler is well known for unique giftable items with a creative flair – all custom-made by Gretchen Louise Tisch. Feathered Antler brings nature-inspired, hand-painted mugs, hats, flannels, baby onesies, jewelry, paintings, stationery, wood art, and home decor items. 

Trendy Empress, photo by Graciela Colston

New this season; Trendy Empress Boutique brings high-quality children’s clothing and accessories that are hand-made in Granville, NY. Select from rompers, unique tops, bottoms, and lounge sets featuring soft fabric in fun and fresh prints.

Kim Dolan Designed makes handcrafted jewelry from gold, silver, and gemstones. Her wearable art includes earrings, necklaces, chains, and rings. Dolan also brings hand-dyed shirts, hoodies, and tunics.

Muddy Trail Jerky Co., photo by Graciela Colston

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is best known for its selection of local foods, so perhaps a gift basket of various goodies would be perfect. Find local cheeses by Argle Cheese Farmer and Nettle Meadow. Puckers Pickles’s award-winning products will be happily received. Muddy Trails Jerky Co. has a variety of jerky, spices, and olive oil gift sets. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market also offers gift certificates and merchandise for farmers’ market enthusiasts.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-orders for easy pickup and online ordering. Find their website and ‘like’ them on social media to stay up-to-date on their products and specials. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

 

Know Your Farmer – and Get to Know a Few New Ones, too

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

We get it. It’s January. It’s cold. It’s COVID, year three. 

And while you might love the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, you feel it has changed.

You’re right. We’ve changed. Some longtime, well-established vendors are gone. Their owners retired or chose amid the COVID-19 pandemic to shift their operations toward online, home delivery, or mail-order sales.

But we are still the same market in many ways. We still offer some of the best locally grown, raised, or made foods and craft items. We’ve continued to do so by shifting our definition of local away from the six counties that traditionally defined our vendor base toward a more inclusive idea. That shift has helped bring in vendors from other counties, from anywhere within 50 miles of Saratoga.Our new vendors give our market a new face. But they value good products that are local. Stop by and say hello. In time, they’ll be quite familiar to you. 

Here’s the lowdown on a few:

  • Pork & Greens. This farm hails from the Hudson Valley and is woman-owned. Isabel Buenaga started the farm in July 2020, with a mission to create healthy soil, reduce food waste, and produce high-quality pork and nutrient-rich greens. Her pigs “graze and laze” on 15 acres of woodlands and receive a carefully monitored diet of repurposed foods. Foods that would otherwise be trashed or composted become nutrition for the pigs and yield nicely flavored pork chops, sausages, ham steaks, and other pork items. As for the greens, they are chosen for their ability to withstand our region’s bitterly cold winters and sweltering summers. Check out Buenaga’s kale, pea shoots, and lettuces.
    Pork and Greens, photo by Pattie Garrett.
  • The Mushroom Shop. This farm, based in Salem, is run by Jacob Howard and Elise Olsen. They joined the Wednesday market last spring and are continuing through the winter to offer gourmet specialty mushrooms for culinary and medicinal uses. Check out their oyster, beech, and cinnamon cap offerings.
    The Mushroom Shop, photo by Pattie Garrett
  • Boozy Moo. Yes, ice cream in winter. Boozy Moo, based in Albany, is the brainchild of Leila Kiosse. Kiosse had opened a craft cocktails bar and games house in early 2020. Like so many retail outlets, hers was shuttered amid the pandemic. Kiosse began experimenting with craft ice creams, infusing them with alcohol, and realized she had a great new approach to a popular dessert on her hands. Ask for a sample and let Kiosse’s cool treats warm your soul.
    Boozy Moo!, photo by Pattie Garrett

 

This week’s featured recipe: Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Chicken Noodle Soup

By

iStock

Recipe by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Prep & Cook Time: 40mins
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 2 tablespoons butter* or olive oil
  • 1 large onion*, chopped
  • 2 large carrots*, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped (optional)
  • 4 cloves garlic*, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme* or use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breast*
  • 8 cups chicken stock, low sodium, or broth or use homemade stock
  • 5 ounces egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley*, finely chopped
  • Water or more stock, as needed

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring every few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften; 5 to 6 minutes.
  2. Stir in the garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook, while stirring the garlic around the pan, for about 1 minute.
  3. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a low simmer. Taste the soup then adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Depending on the stock used, you might need to add 1 or more teaspoons of salt.
  4. Submerge the chicken thighs into the soup so that the broth covers them. Bring the soup back to a low simmer then partially cover the pot with a lid and cook, stirring a few times until the chicken thighs are cooked through; about 20 minutes.
  5. If, during this time, the broth seems low, add a splash more stock or a bit of water. Turn the heat to medium-low.
  6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Stir the noodles into the soup and cook until done, 6 to 10 minutes depending on the type of noodles used.
  7. While the noodles cook, shred the chicken into strips or dice into cubes. Slide the chicken back into the pot and then taste the soup once more for seasoning. Adjust with more salt and pepper, as needed. Stir in the parsley and serve.