• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

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

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!

Zehrs’ Mushroom Chowder

December 26, 2013 By marketeditor

At Zehr and Sons’ Mushroom Farm in Ghent, exquisite shiitake and oyster mushrooms grow year-round inside the 40’ x 60’ barn.

“We control the temperature of our barn to be between 65 and 72 degrees, and we also make sure the moisture level is just right,” notes Jeremy Zehr, who lives on the farm with his wife, Doreen, and their young children.

The Zehrs moved to Columbia County from Pennsylvania several years ago, and originally were baking items for the Hudson Farmers’ Market. Seeking to expand their business, they asked the market about what other products were needed.  “Mushrooms!” was the resounding answer.

After considering the mushroom opportunity, the Zehrs traveled to a grower who became a mentor and helped them start out. Using Jeremy Zehr’s carpentry skills, the Zehrs built their climate-controlled barn six years ago, and have been growing their business ever since.

“Some customers are interested in buying our fresh mushrooms because they are interested in eating ‘superfoods’,” notes Jeremy. “For others, it’s all about the unique tastes of the two varieties we grow.”

The oyster mushrooms are grown in “logs” the Zehrs make themselves. Shredded straw is first put in boiling water, then spread on tables where the mushroom spawn is added. The final step is stuffing the straw into special bags and hanging the bags in the barn. Over 21-28 days, the mushrooms emerge through the slits in the bags.

The shiitake mushroom logs are purchased with the mycelium already grown through the block, so they are ready for harvest more quickly, within 7 to 10 days. Once harvested, the blocks or logs are composted, returning the growing materials to the earth.

The shiitake mushrooms have a stronger, more pronounced flavor, and are the sturdier of the two. The oyster mushrooms, available in yellow or grey,  have more delicate flesh and a mild flavor.

“An easy way to prepare these mushrooms and enjoy their flavor is to melt some butter in a skillet and add the sliced or chunked mushrooms, some garlic or onion,  and a bit of sea salt. They are also good in omelets and burritos, as well as in soups,” says Jeremy Zehr.

The farm sells at Saratoga Farmers’ Market year-round on Saturdays, as well as other markets in the Hudson Valley and western Massachusetts. In Saratoga Springs, the mushrooms are featured on the menus at Mouzon House and One Caroline Street Bistro.

 

Zehrs’ Mushroom Chowder

*Ingredients available at Saratoga Farmers’ Market

 

Ingredients

1.5 pounds shiitake and/or oyster mushrooms*

1 medium onion*, diced

2-3 garlic cloves*, pressed

3 Tbsp. butter

2 pints chicken stock

3 carrots*, peeled and diced

3 potatoes*, peeled and diced

½ cup flour

2 cups whole milk*

1 tsp. thyme*

½ tsp. parsley*

Salt & pepper, to taste

 

Directions

Chop mushrooms into small pieces. In large pan, fry onion and garlic in butter, about 2 minutes. Add cut mushrooms and fry medium to high, 6 minutes.

In separate pan, bring chicken stock to boil and add carrots and potatoes. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are soft.

Mix flour and milk while vegetables simmer. Add stock and vegetables to mushroom and onion pan. Stir in flour and milk mixture.

Add herbs, salt and pepper. Stir together and simmer until thick.

Filed Under: Seasonal Recipes

Before Footer

Instagram

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
Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:3 Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:30-1:30 you can find all your favorite vendors in the Wilton Mall Food court. We’ll by joined by the Academy of Life Long Learning, AIM Services, and musician Lee Paquin. Hope you can make it!!!

Photos of: @squash.villa.farm , KOKINDA Farm, and @eurodelicaciesco by Graciela Colston

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #farmersmarket #agriculture #shoplocal
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donation The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donations to help improve our market and keep our nonprofit organization running. Your donation will be used for essential functions of the market as well as helping us reach more of our long-term goals for the community. We are looking for additional resources to expand our community offerings such as hosting family friendly events, programs and activities.

You can help us by donating via our GiveButter account (link in bio) or in person at the market via our market manager. Thank you for your ongoing support. We couldn’t do it without you! 

#saratogafarmersmarket #supportlocalfarmers #nonprofit #communitylove #givebutter

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

With support from our friends at:

Copyright © 2023 · Saratoga Farmers Market · Design by REACH CREATIVE

    COVID-19: Check our latest Safety Guidelines!
  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!