Hello  my Foodie Friends

It is amazing to think that the holiday season is here. Planning for family gatherings and meals can be stressful times during this time of year. We strive for the Norman Rockwell experience of perfect times, perfect food and respectful conversation. Reality is for many people, family gatherings during the holidays are rarely stress-free.  I tell my Thanksgiving story every year because it is one that we reflect on and smile.  Thanksgiving would not be complete without my real-life story of Grandma and the Turkey.  It was 1993 when our children; Johnny age 2 and Aubrey 5 months old at the time, would make the annual trek with Paula and I to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and watch football. To begin; let me explain I am a Giants fan and so is my mother-in-law. Therefore, watching the Cowboys is not one of our favorite things to do. However, her son is a fan and so is my sister-in-laws husband.  Yep, two Cowboy fans in the same house and they do not like each other!  I love football so I watched but the room was silent because the two brother-in-law do not speak to each other.  They were holding their feelings down to make my mother-in-law happy.  As the game was being watched, my mother-in-law was busy making a huge feast for all to enjoy.  She was very nervous because she wanted everyone to get along.  We always ate after the game and this particular game one was a tight one. Most Cowboy fans may want to stop reading now.  With just seconds left in the game, the Miami Dolphins lined up to make a game winning field goal and it was blocked by the Cowboys. The brother-in-laws were silent. I wanted to groan with disappointment, but held back because of the tension.  All of a sudden one of the Cowboys (Leon Lett) chased the block field goal and touched it. “Oh nooo!” Well, the Dolphins got another chance to kick the field goal and won. Half of the house wanted to celebrate but my mother-in-law and I remained solemn. It has been called the greatest Thanksgiving Game ever played. As the game ended, my mother-in-law continued working with my Paula to complete the many dishes all cooking at once. There was a shout from the kitchen and Grandma announced that she had lost her glasses and could not see without them. Immediately, each of the brothers-in-law was pressed into service to find the glasses. These were not just any glasses; they were big and black and hard to lose but there were no glasses to be found. We looked everywhere. Grandma was close to tears when she asked me to check on and baste the turkey.  This was a big turkey at 28lbs and it smelled great.  I grabbed my son Johnny and the baster, which he took charge of, and opened the oven to show him the turkey.  He said “look Daddy, the turkey can see better”. Yep, he found the glasses neatly melted in perfect harmony with the bird so it looked like he had eyes!  I started laughing and everyone joined in. Needless to say we had ham and lasagna but no turkey.  It didn’t matter because the rest of the day was perfect. 

Through the fun and sometimes stressful events that can happen during the holidays – especially when we want it to be perfect; it can turn out to be a wonderful family gathering. Among our greatest and most treasured memories are the ones that are based in the kitchen or around a meal. As you get ready this season for your festivities and feasts, stop into Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. Pick up roasters, basters, thermometers, and more for your meals. You can have that Norman Rockwell family gathering. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving Day. Remember, my Foodie Friends that “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.  

Take Care, John & Paula

Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 29, 2025 by visiting the Saratoga Farmers’ Market at Wilton Mall! The market has been a hub for the community for 47 years, connecting shoppers with local growers, producers, and artisans.

With close to 60 vendors every week, you’ll find fresh produce, baked goods, locally roasted coffee, flowers, holiday décor, local spirits, gifts, specialty items and so much more—all perfect for your holiday table or gift shopping. Small Business Saturday is the ideal time to shop local and support the community, while discovering unique products you won’t find anywhere else.

The market is open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the holiday season. Live music and family-friendly activities add a festive atmosphere, making your visit more than just a shopping trip—it’s a community experience.

Stay tuned for your holiday gift-giving guide at the market and don’t miss the opportunity to meet guest vendors offering unique, local items just in time for the season throughout December!

Take a peek at what is happening at the market and mark your calendar for upcoming events, music, cooking demos and more.

For more information on vendors, activities, and specials, visit saratogafarmersmarket.org, join the newsletter and follow on social media.

Market News November 29th:

• Guest holiday vendors begin November 29th 

• Live Music with Saratoga Sounds

• Yoga Saturdays at the Market with Himanee & Yoga Mandali located in the movie theater foyer at 10 am

• Sponsor a snowflake to benefit the market $5

• Merch (SALE) & gift certificates – support local for your holiday gifts

COMING SOON:

• Family Activity Table with Saratoga Springs Mobile Library December 6 and 20th

• LIVE Cooking Demo ‘Fresh Eats with CDPHP’ December 13th with Brenna Kavakos from Cornell Cooperative Extension

• Ugly Sweater Day/Party at the Market + Stories with Santa December 20th

NOTE: 

• CALLING all local crafters, artists & authors to apply to be a guest for the holiday season (email manager@saratogafarmersmarket.org)

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open: Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wilton Mall, Food Court, at 3065 NY-50, Saratoga Springs. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket. And don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. There is so much to do to gear up for the holiday season. It is time to start the preparations of items needed to create your fabulous feast. At Compliments to the Chef, we have some gadgets which can make your Thanksgiving prep and serve a little easier. Good tools are essential to good cooking just like good tools are helpful to a carpenter building a house. One tool I think a lot of foodies don’t have or know how to use is the thermometer.  It is one of my must haves in a kitchen.  Undercooked turkey is a recipe for Salmonellosis!  Your turkey should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees for 15 seconds.  You should check the temperature in at least two places and in the thickest part of the turkey. Do not discount how much this tool means to not just you but your whole family. Our recommendation is a simple Bi-Metallic stemmed thermometer.  There are others, such as digital but this is the simplest, easiest and most cost-effective choice. It’s easy to calibrate and if you stop in, I’ll personally teach you how. One of our favorite instant-read thermometers is the Thermo Pop by Thermo Works. 

The second recommendation for a must have is a Flavor injector and there are many types.   Adding some flavor can really set your Turkey apart from Mom’s recipe. 

Our third recommendation is either an open roaster or a roaster with a lid. Roast meat, poultry, and vegetables to perfection with a large roaster. Open roasters can hold up to a 20-lb. turkey. The heavy-duty stainless-steel roasting pan features tall, straight sides, which help prevent splatters and spills, while its upright handles ensure a secure hold when transporting the pan to and from the oven, even when wearing thick oven mitts. The open roaster comes with a V-shaped nonstick roasting rack that elevates large cuts of meat to promote even cooking.

Another cool tool for your feast is a gravy/fat separator. There are various sizes and styles of gravy separators. Among the types is a 1 ¾ cup gravy separator that is made of FDA-approved, BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic. This gravy separator strains out fat, seasonings, and lumps for flavorful gravy, broth, soup stock, au jus, and sauce with lower fat and calories. The BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic structure resists breakage and is heat-safe to 248-degrees Fahrenheit. It has a large handle that allows for a safe grip. The pierced lid strains out lumps and larger food bits with a low-set spout that pours flavorful liquids without the fat; drip-free spout for easy, mess-free pouring.  The fat separator also has a wide-mouth opening and markings in milliliters and cups (from ½-cup) makes straining and measuring easy; microwave safe for easy reheats. The fat separator is easy to use and is great for everyday or holiday meals and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning

These are just a small list of what can help you this season. Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be a struggle. Cherish your moments together. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. Let us assist you with your holiday culinary needs. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

As more families look for ways to eat fresher, healthier, and more sustainably, turning to local foods has become one of the simplest and most rewarding choices. Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast or stocking your kitchen for the week, choosing locally grown and produced foods offers benefits that reach far beyond the table.

Freshness You Can Taste: Local foods are harvested without travel and are not treated for longterm storage which provides maximum flavor, better texture and ensures peak ripeness.

Nutritional Factor:  When foods are picked at their peak, they retain more nutrients.

Freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats offer higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and natural enzymes.

Supports Local Economy: Every dollar spent on local food supports family farms, small producers, local artisans, and helps to keep money circulating in the community.

Stronger Connections: Shopping at farmers’ Markets allows you the opportunity to meet the growers and producers of your food sources, allows you to ask question, build relationships and connect; it makes grocery shopping a community centered experience.

The Environment: Local food has a smaller carbon footprint because it requires less transportation, minimal packing, fewer preservatives and it supports others who practice sustainable growing practices.

Seasonal Eating & Culinary Experiences: Local food naturally aligns with the seasons which your table will reflect with ingredients at their peak quality.  Seasonal eating provides an opportunity for introduction to new and diverse recipes.  Local growers often offer heirloom or specialty varieties like purple carrots, heirloom tomatoes, specialty cheeses, small-batched goods; ultimately, the farmers’ market brings seasonal, culinary experiences into your kitchen.

Building a More Meaningful Table: When you fill your table with local foods, you’re not just serving a meal. you’re sharing a story; the farmer who harvested your squash, the baker who kneaded your bread, the hours spent by individuals preparing any of the goods found at market

Whether you are preparing everyday meals or special celebrations, choosing local transforms your plate and strengthens the community around it.

Market News:

• LIVE Cooking Demo ‘Fresh Eats with CDPHP’

• Comfort Food Community with CDPHP coupons on site

• Live Music with Bonnie Epstein

• Yoga Saturdays at the Market with Himanee & Yoga Mandali located in the movie theater foyer at 10 am

• Sponsor a snowflake to benefit the market $5

• Merch (SALE) & gift certificates – support local for your holiday gifts

• CALLING all local crafters, artists & authors to apply to be a guest for the holiday season (email manager@saratogafarmersmarket.org)

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open: Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wilton Mall, Food Court, at 3065 NY-50, Saratoga Springs. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket. And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

Saratoga Farmer’s Market –  Thanksgiving Shopping Guide

Artisans & Hostess Gifts: Bella Blends, Feathered Antler, Holly & Vine Farm, Pebble + Fern, Sydney Anechiarico Jewelry, Thymeless Homestead

Breads, Baked Goods and Desserts: Argyle Cheese Farmer, Bakery Suzanne, Goodway Gourmet, Halfmoon Harvest, Holly & Vine Farm, Katie Bakes GF, Night Work Bread, Parchment Baking Company, Sweet Treats by Jennifer, Teeny Tiny Bite Bakery, Seven Pines Family Farm

Baking & Seasoning: Muddy Trail Jerky Co., Argyle Cheese Farmer (buttermilk + yogurts), Saratoga Apple, Saratoga Peanut Butter

Cheese/Dairy: Argyle Cheese Farmer, Nettle Meadow, Tyromance Fine Snacks

Cleaning Supplies: Furlong Lavender Farm

Cocktails & Spirits: Albany Distillery, Bull & Bee Meadery, Saratoga Apple, Yankee Distillers

Coffee & Tea: Holly & Vine Farm, Nally Coffee

Cutting Boards: Journal Star Technologies

Eggs: Grazin’ Acres, Hepatica Farm, Holly & Vine Farm, Jireh Organic Farm and Livestock of NY,  Kokinda Farm, Seven Pines Family Farm

Flowers: Halfmoon Harvest, Lovin’ Mama Farm, Scotch Ridge Farm

Fresh Produce: Gomez, Veggie Ville, Leaning Birch, Lovin’ Mama Farm, Owl Wood Farm, Saratoga Apple, Scotch Ridge Farm, Shushan Valley Hydro Farm/Underwood’s Greenhouse

Health & Wellness: Awakened Tonics, Bella Blends, Wonder Oral Wellness

Holiday Greens: Scotch Ridge Farm

Jams and Jarred Goods: Kokinda Farm, Lovin’ Mama Farm, Puckers Gourmet, Muddy Trail Jerky Co., Saratoga Peanut Butter, Tyromance Fine Snacks

Honey: Ballston lake Apiaries

Maple Syrup: Wild Hogs Sugar Shack

Meats: Grazin’ Acres, Hepatica Farm, Holly & Vine Farm, Jireh Organic Farm and Livestock of NY, Longlesson Farm, May-K-Mark, Thymeless Homestead

Mushrooms: The Mushroom Shop

Pup Treats: Mugzy’s Barkery

Ready to Eat Foods: Bab-a-Dew Pizza, Eurodelicacies, Daily Fresh, Great Northern Pantry, La Capital Tacos, Perogi-Pierogi-Pyroogi, Ram’s Valley, Thorn + Roots, Tyromance Fine Snacks

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Many of our foodies may be traveling to visit family or friends this holiday season, or may be hosting a holiday breakfast or dinner. Often times we are not sure what to bring to add to the meal that is being made. One item that is always welcomed is Popovers. When it comes to holiday dining, a special place is held at the table for popovers. But aren’t they difficult to bake? Not at all. In fact, you could even consider them the easiest – and perhaps tastiest – item on your menu this holiday season.

Twisted, warm, light and buttery, popovers are muffin-like pancakes, popovers are baked in melted butter. They are delicious served beside a roast, and are also divine slathered with butter and jam, filled with a poached egg, or dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

Most people fall into a rut when it comes to bread options. However, popovers can be a deceptively simple item that will impress your guests and tickle their taste buds. Not only are popovers cost effective, they’re also a breeze to make as long as you follow a few simple rules: make sure the pan is hot before pouring in the batter, don’t fill the cups more than half full, and no opening the oven while they’re baking.

Having the correct pan is important to making airy popovers with golden domes. The secret is how the batter lies in the pan. Popover pans are used for making popovers. They are specially constructed to convey the heat directly to the batter, which needs to be added to a hot pan, similar to the way Yorkshire puddings are made. Popover pans are also made with tall, narrow cups, which create a distinctive shape. This creates steam that helps the popovers expand and become light and hollow on the inside. Then you can stuff them with things. A popover pan is deep with steep-sided wells.  This forces the batter upwards creating puffy domes and crispy sides. Investing in a real popover pan eventually starts to feel quite justifiable. These tins are really only useful for making popovers, but oh, what beautiful popovers they make! The trick is to make sure the pan is very hot before you add the butter and the batter.

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry popover pans from Nordic ware and USA Pan.  Both the Nordic Ware pan and USA pans are made in the U.S.A. These pans are designed to allow maximum airflow so popovers reach their full height. 

This holiday season, if you are not sure what to pop on over with to visit a friend or a family member, think about a creative popover to serve with the meal. Come visit your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, where we have cool tools for cooks! Have fun with family and friends. Remember, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Thanksgiving desserts don’t follow any set of rules. The sweet ending to this annual feast may be as traditional as pumpkin pie, or inspired by an heirloom recipe or cultural confection, or even based on the bounty of a seasonal harvest, like an apple crisp or squash pie.

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for the freshest ingredients for whatever you plan to present for dessert. Local farms provide baking staples such as eggs, yogurt, milk, maple syrup, applesauce, and honey. Local bakers bring spiced cookies and shortbreads that you can use for cookie crusts. There are many types of bread that can be soaked in custard for bread pudding. Fall’s apple harvest is abundant, with many varieties for pies, crisps, and cakes. 

If you’re looking for more inspiration, stop by the farmers’ market and let the variety of local products help you decide what to make. Jams and jellies are perfect for Linzer bars and tarts. Locally-grown lavender flowers elevate shortbread cookies and buttery cakes. If you’re looking for dessert made easy, you will find peach and berry cobbler mixes, apple crisp mix, and pumpkin dip mix. Or do dessert differently with a cheese board featuring chocolate-dipped dates, candied nuts, and sweet cow and goat-milk cheeses. All of these items are available at the market on Saturdays. 

It’s possible that after planning and preparing a main course and all the sides, your dessert inspiration will be waning. If that’s the case, bakers at the market have an enticing selection of desserts, from Parchment Baking Company’s selection of tarts, including their chocolate hazelnut tart with a chocolate shortbread crust filled with a pecan frangipane and topped with candied pecan pieces, to Bakery Suzanne’s light and silky pumpkin pie, which is the lead baker’s family recipe. There is no shortage of delectable offerings; just be sure to get your order in on time to secure a successful ending to your feast.

Market News: 

• SARATOGA SPRINGS Public Library Mobile Unit on site with family activities 11/15

• Yoga Saturdays at the Market with Himanee & Yoga Mandali located in the movie theater foyer at 10 am

• Sponsor a snowflake to benefit the market $5

• Merch (SALE) & gift certificates – support local for your holiday gifts

• CALLING all local crafters, artists & authors to apply to be a guest for the holiday season (email manager@saratogafarmersmarket.org)

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open: Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wilton Mall, Food Court, at 3065 NY-50, Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket. And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

Thanksgiving Dessert Menu at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

 Please note the pre-order and pickup details for each business.

Sweet Treats by Jennifer

·Blueberry Lemon Cinnamon Rolls (4-pack)

·Signature Cinnamon Rolls (4-pack)

·Apple Pie

·Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars (8×8) 

Email hello@sweettreatsbyjennifer.com or call (518)260-8164.

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Bakery Suzanne

·Thanksgiving pre-orders are for pickup on Wednesday, November 26, at 8 am and 2 pm, at 4284 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866.

·Order at https://bakery-suzanne.squaresite/#ZQUGVHCQX5FOK6HJTHSDNAI7

Thanksgiving pre-orders are for pickup on Wednesday, November 26, at 8 am and 2 pm, at 4284 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866.

Order at https://bakery-suzanne.squaresite/#ZQUGVHCQX5FOK6HJTHSDNAI7

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Teeny Bite Bakery

·Sweet potato pie (vegan)

·Apple galette (vegan)

Order at https://www.teenyveganchef.com/ for pickup or delivery on November 25.

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Katie Bakes GF

·Festive sugar cookie assortments, packaged in 3. Gluten-free. Only available at the farmers’ market on Saturdays, while supplies last.

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GF parchment baking company

Photo courtesy of parchment baking company

·Almond pear tart* 

·Chocolate hazelnut tart* 

·Maple butter tart (naturally gluten-free) *Gluten-free crustless versions available

·Hvidt brød rolls — yeasted milk bread with poppyseed topping 

·Limpa — spiced rye bread with winter-warming flavors of orange, cardamom, fennel

Full menu available upon request, including a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options. Order by Wednesday, November 20, for pickup on November 22 & 23 in Saratoga or November 26 in Troy.

Email to parchmentbakingcompany@gmail.com or text/call (609)610-2225.

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

The sounds of cooking can be kitchen music to our ears with the sounds of beeps, pans, clinging, clanging, and thuds in your kitchen.  Having the right cookware is important to the entire culinary experience. As you are beginning to think about what to get for your special “foodie” this holiday season, cookware can be that special gift.

This brings me back to the time my father and his friends went on their yearly hunting trip to Vermont. I have shared this story before, yet I love telling it. Every year four dads got together for a week of deer hunting. After about four years in a row of not bringing back a deer, my mom got wise and had a meeting with the other moms. They gave each dad a condition they had to fulfill if they wanted to go.  They were required to bring all their children over the age of five. The negotiations went on for months and my Dad, who was the ring leader, gave in. Therefore, there were some very excited little boys and girls who got to go with their Dad on a weekend long vacation.  Dad’s cookware at the “Cabin” was not the best and the first night of the trip, the dads had a great time laughing and enjoying their “refreshments” (as they referred to them) while we ran around endlessly.  It started getting dark and I asked my dad when we were going to eat?  He told me to go ahead and cook something up.  I replied: “Dad, I’m seven.” There was literally no food.  My Uncle Cass found some cans of beans and first looked at the other dads then to all ten of us kids and with a very loud and enthusiastic voice said: “Hey kids, how about some BEANS!”  Then all the dads started yelling, “beans, beans beans”, and then the kids started yelling “beans, beans, beans!” Cass started pouring six cans of beans into a wooden handled sauté pan while singing made up songs that we all joined in on. He kept stirring and singing while we assembled at the table peacefully.  I must admit he had me more excited to eat a plate of beans than I have ever been for a meal. “Ok”, he said “here it is kids” and we cheered. As he turned around, the wooded handle came loose and the pan spun around multiple times and the beans went flying. Hot beans hit like little bean pellets bouncing off every child at the table.  No one was hurt because all of us were laughing so hard we couldn’t talk.  Cass thought he killed us. A good plan would have prevented this disaster. However, it is to this day one of all our favorite times with our dads.  Dad had a tense moment explaining to mom why her three boys had red dots on their foreheads. 

So many of our customers come in and state that they want good cookware. They are tired of going through generations of cookware that does not last or is not providing them with the heat conduction or distribution they are looking for in cooking.  Good pans are worth their price because they manage heat better. Being a “good conductor” and “heavy gauge” are the key features of good cookware. 

Here’s how these characteristics affect cooking. You get responsive heat. Good heat conductors, such as copper and aluminum, are responsive to temperature changes. They’ll do what the heat source tells them to do—heat up, cool down—almost instantly. You get fast heat flow. Heat flows more easily through a good heat conductor, assuring a quick equalizing of temperature on the cooking surface. You get even heat diffusion. A thicker pan has more distance between the cooking surface and the heat source. By the time the heat flows to the cooking surface, it will have spread out evenly, because heat diffuses as it flows. You get more heat. Mass holds heat (heat is vibrating mass, so the more mass there is to vibrate, the more heat there will be). The more pan there is to heat, the more heat the pan can hold, so there’s more constant heat for better browning, faster reducing, and hotter frying.

Buying good cookware could be a wonderful gift to give your culinary enthusiast. Stop by Compliments to the Chef – your neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. We have a large assortment of cookware. Make sure you have the best cookware to do the job right. Make music in your kitchen with the sounds of stirring, pots and pans clanking. Play some music while you cook. Dance and embrace those who make those creative dishes that say “I love you”. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen!”

Take Care, John & Paula

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to start shopping for all the ingredients that will make your side dishes shine. From farm-fresh vegetables to handcrafted breads, cheeses, and condiments, you’ll find everything you need to fill your table with flavor and freshness.

Stroll through the market at Wilton Mall, where close to 60 local vendors come together each week to offer the best of the region. Whether you’re making roasted root vegetables, homemade stuffing, or a hearty soup to share, the market’s vendors can help you source ingredients that make a difference that are grown and produced right here in your community.

Shopping local doesn’t just make your meal taste better, it supports local farms, markets, and small businesses that keep Saratoga’s food scene thriving all year long.

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the Food Court at Wilton Mall, and start planning your delicious holiday spread this weekend!

Market News:

* Support the market by Sponsoring a Wooden Snowflake $5 donation (at the Saturday Market now at Wilton Mall in the Food court)

* Saturday, November 22nd – Cooking Demo with the Fresh Eats Program with CDPHP

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open: Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wilton Mall, Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.  And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

Thank you to all of our foodies that read my stories every week. I sincerely appreciate how you enjoy me sharing my stories of my family and food.  It’s that time of year for me to share my annual Halloween memories. Halloween is tonight with the little chefs out there having been building excitement over the past weeks. Friday night Halloween is always so much fun and a very busy night for the treaters!  In looking back on my childhood on a certain Halloween night; the five Reardon children; John 8, Danny 7, Billy 6 and Patty 5, would be almost too excited to eat our dinner before we went trick or treating. My mother knew she had to prepare something we would all like and it was always her homemade pastina chicken broth soup that we could not resist. We would get our little bodies fueled up and were ready to take on the neighborhood.  Also in my childhood, it was a big thing to have homemade costumes and our moms worked overtime to have the cutest kids.  Store bought costumes were a sign of no imagination.  On Halloween evening, the four of us were off with orders to stay together or else.  I was told that since I was the oldest it was my job to keep a count on my brothers and sisters or I would lose my candy.  My sister Patty was always the first to run out of gas followed by my brother Billy. So, we would have to get them back home and Dan and I would start out again. My brother Dan could outlast us all but my problem was that he always had to stop and admire someone’s car or truck. The Dads of these houses were always impressed that a seven-year-old knew more about his car than they did.  We did manage to fill our pillow cases with lots of candy and then with tired feet head home. The next two weeks were spent dipping into our stash of candy.  

As I think of those childhood Halloween nights, I can still taste and smell the soup my mother made. Chicken broth is a staple in most Italian households. You can rest assured that there will be a few quarts in the freezer at all times. You need a really good homemade broth to make pastina, vegetable soups, risottos, sauces, and chicken dishes. Fill up your trick or treaters with something that will keep them warm during the chilly Halloween evening this year.  Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place to assist with your heartwarming treats. We carry the supplies you will need to make your chilly night soups.  Remember my Foodie Friends that “Life Happens in the Kitchen!” 

Take Care, John & Paula

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market continues to celebrate its 47th year in the community serving local farms, local makers & producers, and the community as it enters the cold season with their move indoors to the Wilton Mall.  The market will take place weekly on Saturdays starting November 1st and will continue indoors through April 25th in the food court area near the movie theater.

There are many returning vendors at the market for the 2025/2026 season; however, there are many new brands joining the lineup for local customers and visitors to discover.

Albany Distilling Company

Argyle Cheese Farmer

Autumn’s Harvest Vineyard

Awakened Tonics LLC

Bab-a-Dew’s Wood Fired Pizza

Bakery Suzanne

Ballston Lake Apiaries

Bella Blends

Bloom and Thread

Breakfast Nook, LLC

Daily Fresh

Euro Delicacies

Feathered Antler

Furlong Farmhouse Lavender

Gammy’s Candies

Gomez Veggie Ville

Grazin’ Acres Farm

Great Northern Pantry

Halfmoon Harvest

Hepatica Farm LLC

Holistic Wellness Therapy, LLC

Holly & Vine Farm

Jireh Organic Farm & Live Stock of New York

Journal Star Technologies

Katie Bakes GF

Kokinda Farm

La Capital Tacos

Longlesson Farm

May-k-Mark

Muddy Trail Jerky Company

Mugzy’s Barkery

Nally Coffee 

Nettle Meadow

Nigh Work Break

Parchment Baking Company LLC

Pebble + Fern

Perogi, Pierogi, Pyroogi

Puckers Gourmet

Radiant Living Healing Arts & Massage

Rams Valley LLC

Saratoga Apple

Saratoga Peanut Butter Co.

Scotch Ridge Berry Farm

Seven Pines Family Farm, LLC

Sweet Treats by Jennifer, LLC

Sydney Anechiarico Jewelry

Teeny Bite Bakery

The Bull and Bee Meadery

The Mushroom Shop

Thorn + Roots

Thymeless Homestead

Tyromance Fine Snacks

Underwood’s Greenhouse/Shushan Valley Hydro Farm

Wild Hogs Sugar Shack at Maple Milk Farm

Wonder Oral Wellness LLC

Yankee Distillers LLC

Zypours

If you are a local author and/or artist and would like to join the holiday season market as a one-time guest, please email manager@saratogafarmersmarket for an application and more information.

Consider supporting your local market by sponsoring a wooden snowflake for $5 during the month of November at the market.  All proceeds support the market’s ability to offer free programming, festivals and administrative costs.  

Market News:

* Start of Indoor Holiday/Winter Market Saturday, November 1st at Wilton Mall (in the food court)

* Support the market by Sponsoring a Wooden Snowflake $5 donation (at the Saturday Market)

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:

Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Wilton Mall, Saratoga Springs

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