SARATOGA SPRINGS — November at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a broad view of the diversity of locally produced food. From meat and poultry to dairy products, baked goods, local honey and jam, to fruits and vegetables, the market offers many products for either a traditional or contemporary Thanksgiving menu.
In addition, vendors selling plants, crafts and gift items round out the market’s displays with autumn colors and festive décor elements, such as pumpkins, gourds, decorative corn and branches of orange bittersweet.
To highlight the wide range of products at the market, here are some tips for incorporating farm-fresh food and other local items into your Thanksgiving holiday this year.
Decorate with Natural Items
To set the stage for your elegant feast, try decorating with local flowers, gourds and crafts. Hollow out small pumpkins or winter squash to hold grapes, salsa, cheese bites or olives. Set small wreaths of dried flowers on the table as a centerpiece and browse the market for orange branches of bittersweet, dried hydrangea blossoms and gourds that are typical of autumn. For a conversation starter, use a large branch or floral wreath and hang family photos from years gone by. Wrap fresh herbs in twine and place on table or decorate a staircase. Core apples and use as votive holders.
At the Table: Handmade Place Cards with Local Favors
Create place cards decorated with dried flowers or bittersweet. Choose a local item for a Thanksgiving favor for your guests (or to take along for your hosts). Scented soap, jams, honey or beeswax candles to take home all make welcome gifts. Or offer a decorative pouch containing Farmers’ Market wooden tokens to treat your friends and family to a market splurge.
Keep Things Simple with Ready-To-Eat Market Appetizers
The market sells various ready-to-eat items to accompany the main feast of the day and to feed the football fans all afternoon. Crackers, fresh salsa, olive tapenade and several types of pickles are among these treats. They all make great additions to the Thanksgiving buffet as well.
Create a Market Cheese Platter to Dazzle Your Guests
The market’s cheese vendors offer cheeses from the milk of cows and goats in both soft and hard styles. From mild to sharp and from appetizers to cooking to dessert presentations, the choices are plentiful.
Sample the Rich Taste of Local Eggnog and Fresh Yogurt
In addition to cheese, a full range of milk, cream and related dairy products are also available, along with seasonal specials like eggnog. Maple and vanilla yogurt pair well with many of the apple dishes that are traditionally made at Thanksgiving.
Add the Deep Hues of Autumn Vegetables to the Table
The colors of autumn are splendid at the market: carrots in multiple colors, white and sweet potatoes for mashing and roasting, broccoli, cauliflower and many greens for salads offer a wide range of colors. Creamy white turnips, stalks of Brussels sprouts and many types of winter squash offer further variety.
Fresh shiitake or oyster mushrooms lend special flavors to stuffing. Kale holds together well in turkey soup, or serve it braised with other market greens and lots of fresh garlic for a delicious side dish. Beautiful beets are easy to roast in the oven and serve chilled in a green salad, along with roasted pecans and goat cheese.
Celebrate New York State’s Abundant Apple Crop
It’s been a banner year for apples and they are plentiful now at the market. You’ll find several varieties each week, some of which you will never see at a supermarket. They are perfect for eating as a snack, pairing with cheese, cooking into applesauce or chutney or making apple pie. See how quickly they disappear as a “snack food” when sliced and presented on a platter.
Delegate Some Baking to our Market Vendors
Popular market baked goods items at this time of year include sweet potato biscuits, decorated cookies, assorted pies, pastries and rolls. Whole grain bread is delicious in stuffing or a turkey sandwich. Try it in the Roasted Tomato Soup recipe listed here.
Order Your Turkey (or Lamb, Beef, Goose, Fish,Seafood, Chicken, or Pork)
Ask our farmers your questions about their animals. They are proud to talk about how they bring high-quality food to your table. Why not use the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as a chance to purchase a turkey or other meat that was locally produced and humanely raised on a small-scale farm? Fish and seafood are also available at the market.
NOTE: Please order large cuts of meat and poultry well in advance to guarantee availability. Market selection can vary from week to week.
Looking Ahead: Take Your Holiday Photos at the Market
For a unique holiday greeting card showing photos of your family, how about taking a shot of everyone at the market’s new location at the Lincoln Baths in the Saratoga Spa State Park? A perfect combination–beautiful architecture, a varied backdrop of local agriculture and your smiling faces.
