Displaying items by tag: saratoga springs

"Plants need people, and people need plants” is a motto that Jay Adkins lives and works. “When you think about how plants give us life through food, medicinal herbs, our entire ecosystem, even flowers for joy and happiness… Why shouldn’t we care for plants the way they care for us?

Adkins is the owner of J. Adkins Cultivation, one of the newest vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. His winter market display is a lush abundance of tropical greenery with busts of red poinsettia arrangements special for the holiday season. Plants are displayed in decorative pots ready for purchase, and Adkins and his staff offer guidance and support to ensure plants flourish in their new homes. 

For Adkins, what began as a hobby turned into a passion he didn’t realize he had. He was working as a full-time contractor when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and work came abruptly to a stop. “I had some extra time on my hands, and since I always had an interest in gardening, I decided to start growing plants inside my house,” explains Adkins. “I grew way too many plants and sold the extra starters, and the business took off from there.”

One year later, J. Adkins Cultivation is expanding. In the spring, they grow various fruit and vegetable starter plants and herbs - all using organic growing methods. Adkins also grows flowering perennials, annuals, and arrangements with availability based on the season. “We care about the health of each plant, and mix our unique recipe of premium soil, and even play the plants music as they grow,” says Adkins.

For Adkins, plants offer a new purpose for living. “I believe in the benefits that come from caring for living things,” says Adkins. “Inspiring others to grow gardens and fill their homes with house plants is very meaningful to me.”

In the future, Adkins is looking forward to providing live plant installations at local businesses and restaurants. Customers can find J. Adkins Cultivation at the Schenectady Green Market on Sundays and Ink & Ivy’s House of Beauty’s pop-up Christmas market tomorrow, December 5, 10 am-3 pm. This coming spring, customers will shop for plants directly at J. Adkins Cultivation’s greenhouse located in Rotterdam. For more information, visit their website www.jadkinscultivation.com.

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.

FM GarlicHerb InfusedButter

Published in Food

Supporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, and this year it’s as important as ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses. The variety of vendors is sure to rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gifts - all in one place.

J. Adkins Cultivation is a local, organic grower of classic and hard-to-find organic vegetables, herbs, fruits, perennials, and annuals. For the holidays, they have beautiful poinsettia arrangements as well as numerous giftable plants. 

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way - “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.

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

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Yankee Distillers proudly to stands out as an NYS Farm Distillery, where they use 100% unmalted New York State Grain to produce outstanding bourbon, rye, and vodka. For the beer enthusiast, Mean Max Brew Works makes distinctive craft-brewed ales and lagers fermented naturally without additives. 

Sweet treats are undeniably a part of the holiday season, and Saratoga Chocolate Co. specializes in gourmet craft chocolate bars, handmade truffles, unique chocolate confections, and chocolate tastings and pairings. Their gift sets, hot chocolate mix, and chocolate Santas make perfect stocking stuffers.

Kim Dolan Designed and Feathered Antler have a giftable wearable art selection, from handmade jewelry to custom clothing. Kim Dolan Designed makes unique tie-dyed shirts and jewelry made from gold, silver, and gemstones. Feathered Antler creates jewelry, knitwear, customized flannels, and more.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-order for easy pickup as well as 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. CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall on Saturday mornings. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

FM ShepsPie

Published in Food

SARATOGA SPRINGS — There are more than 60 cities, 500 villages, and 900 towns in New York State, and each has until Dec. 31 to opt-out of two new state initiatives calling for on-site cannabis consumption lounges, and dispensaries authorized to sell cannabis in their respective communities. 

On March 31, New York State legalized adult-use cannabis by passing the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act, or MRTA. The legislation created a new Office of Cannabis Management governed by a Cannabis Control Board to oversee and implement the law, issue licenses and develop regulations outlining how and when business can participate in the new industry. 

Regarding the two initiatives as it correlates to alcohol, Dispensaries are akin to a liquor store, while On-Site Consumption lounges are more akin to a bar, explained Vince DeLeonardis, attorney for the City of Saratoga Springs - which is currently poised to be welcoming of both. 

To opt out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses, a municipality must pass a local law by Dec. 31. A municipality may choose to opt-out of both or just one of the two types of license. If interested in permitting marijuana retailers or social consumption sites, municipalities need not do anything. 

Public hearings regarding the matter are underway in many of Saratoga County’s 19 towns, 9 villages and two cities. 

A decision is anticipated early next month In Malta, said town Supervisor Darren O'Connor. “It’s on for a public hearing on Nov. 29 and then it will be on the agenda on Dec. 6 for the Board to decide what to do, if anything.”

The town of Wilton is opting out and will not allow dispensaries or on-site consumption sites town, said Supervisor John Lant. 

The town of Clifton Park has scheduled a public hearing to take place on Dec. 6, and town officials in Milton are meeting this week when it is anticipated the board will allow both parts of the measure.

“If we do nothing then both are allowed, but we’re going to go through the motions of saying that we’ll allow both to happen in the town,” said Milton Supervisor Benny Zlotnick. “Obviously there will be some benefit in sales tax with sales of that product, but we have no idea what that might be. Public opinion seems to be in favor of on-site consumption, so that’s what we’re going to do. The public comments we have had said we might as well allow both because if other places are going to have it and we don’t allow on-site consumption, then people will drive right by our businesses to go to those locations.”     

A local excise tax will be imposed on the sale of cannabis products by a retail dispensary to a cannabis consumer at 4% of the products’ price. The tax is distributed to local governments based on where the retail dispensary is located, with three-fourths of that tax revenue going to the specific municipality and one-fourth to the county. 

If a town and a village within a town both allow adult-use sales, the revenue will be distributed based upon an agreement between the town and village or divided evenly. In the city of Saratoga Springs, for example, on that .04 tax of every dollar, the city would receive .03, and Saratoga County would receive .01. 

During a recent meeting in the village of Ballston Spa – a meeting ultimately overshadowed by Mayor Larry Woolbright’s sudden resignation announcement - the mayor and all four village trustees said they were unanimously in agreement of allowing dispensaries, and by a 3-2 count agreed to allowing on-site consumption lounges as well. “For now, I’ll consider that we’ve made our call and are not opting out,” Woolbright said, following the village board discussion. 

If a town passes a local law to opt-out, it only affects the area of the town outside of any village within the town. 

In the town of Saratoga, the board will move at its Dec. 13 meeting to prohibit on-site consumption venues via a Local Law, but will allow cannabis sales at dispensaries, said town of Saratoga Town Supervisor Tom Wood. “So, that would be only the town of Saratoga and does not include the villages of Schuylerville, or Victory,” Wood said. “I haven’t talked to (Schuylerville Mayor) Dan Carpenter or (Victory Mayor) Pat Dewey, so I don’t know what their intensions are.” 

As for area businesses located in municipalities that allow the sale of cannabis, Stewart’s Shops chain of convenience stores will not be among them. 

“We will not be pursuing a dispensary in any of our shops,” said Erica Komoroske, Stewart's Shops' director of public affairs.

Even as municipalities allow adult-use retail dispensaries and/or on-site consumption licenses, towns, cities and villages may pass local laws and regulations pertaining to local zoning and the location of licensees, hours of operations, and adherence to local building codes. Municipalities may not, however, opt-out of adult-use legalization. Possession and use of cannabis by adults 21-or-older became legal in New York State earlier this year. Adults over 21 can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis in their personal possession, according to the state Office of Cannabis Management, and up to five pounds of cannabis at their personal residence.

People can step outside and smoke, as law passed. Some municipalities have prohibited smoking of all kinds in and around its municipal buildings.

Published in News

Last week, we looked at the different meats (and meat alternatives) that will be available at the farmers’ market this holiday season, with something for any size gathering. This week, we are looking at all the other items our vendors will offer this Saturday to make your favorite sides, desserts, and more.

Since traditional Thanksgiving meals use seasonal ingredients, you will find many vegetables needed to create your favorite dinner sides at the farmers’ market. A mash will please most holiday guests, and local farms have potatoes aplenty right now. Mix it up by grabbing cheddar cheese, milk, and beer from other vendors to make beer cheese mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes or celeriac also work great for a mash. 

Many types of squash are available to make into soup or pie. For flavorful roasted vegetables, try carrots, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. If a side salad is on your menu, we have fresh greens and kale. Grab maple syrup or honey, too, for a delicious glaze or dressing. You will find plenty of fresh herbs at Shushan Valley Hydro Farm. Add these herbs to stuffing along with freshly baked bread, which you can get on Saturday to turn perfectly stale for baking by Thursday. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower stuffing instead. Add cranberry jam from Kokinda Farm for an easy and delicious condiment.

Then, for the sweetest part of dinner: dessert. You can find baked goods at several vendors, including frozen, unbaked pies at The Food Florist for an easy dessert that still feels homemade. One of the market’s newest vendors Boozy Moo!, offers alcohol-infused ice cream (5% ABV) to add a joyful spirit to the event (a great way to reduce any potential family friction!). 

And, for those who prefer savory over sweet, charcuterie boards and cheese plates are always a holiday hit. Add items like Nettle Meadow’s cranberry fromage frais for a seasonal touch. 

Whiskey, beer, spirits, and ciders are available to be enjoyed with your meal. Add Muddy Trail Jerky’s mulling spices to the latter for a heartwarming way to cap a day spent enjoying good food with your loved ones.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. The CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall on Saturday mornings. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

FM Beer MashedPotatoes

Published in Food

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Across the country, consumers are being encouraged to shop local this holiday season. On Black Friday, Nov. 26, a select group of stores in downtown Saratoga Springs will be offering a variety of discounts on Friday and Small Business Saturday, with many stores extending their sales throughout the holidays. Most deals are spread out all day long to encourage a safe, pleasant shopping experience.

“Black Friday Participant” window signs will differentiate the storefronts of participating Black Friday Saratoga businesses. Participants include Caroline & Main, Celtic Treasures, Crafters Gallery, The Dark Horse Mercantile, Death Wish Coffee Company, Impressions of Saratoga, iRun LOCAL, Lifestyles of Saratoga, Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company, Network Wedding Guide, The Pink Paddock, Saratoga Botanicals Organic Spa & Store, Saratoga Olive Oil Company, Spoken Boutique, Tailgate and Party Shop, Union Hall Supply Company, and Yellow Boutique. Sponsors include Stewart’s Shops and the Adirondack Trust Company. Media sponsors include Saratoga’s Star Radio and Saratoga’s Best Magazine.

Retailers participating in the Black Friday Saratoga Group Sale this year are each offering their own custom deals and opening at a variety of different hours, with some opening as early as 6 a.m., and others opening later in the morning. Businesses will be putting out their best incentives to come and shop their stores all weekend long and throughout the holiday season. If you’d like more information about the Black Friday Saratoga shopping event, go to www.facebook.com/blackfridaysaratoga. A complete list of the businesses and their discount offerings will be listed on blackfridaysaratoga.com the week of Thanksgiving. Businesses who have chosen to continue their sales after the Thanksgiving weekend will also have their sales listed.

Black Friday Saratoga is organized by Network Saratoga LLC. For more information visit www.networksaratoga.com

Published in Business

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and at the farmers’ market, there will be holiday offerings aplenty the next two Saturdays. Whatever the size of your gathering or the dietary preferences of your diners this year, market vendors are bringing plenty of options for every course. This week, we are looking at the various local meats in stock.

If you plan to host a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a turkey is likely to be on your shopping list. Preorder a pasture-raised, non-GMO-fed turkey at Ramble Creek Farm, with various bird sizes available from 10 to 18+ pounds. Order at the market or online, and pick up at the market on November 20.

Other meat vendors offer a full range of meats for those looking to try a different main course this year. Chicken may fill that turkey craving but better serve a smaller group of diners. This year, Squash Villa Farm offers Delaware breed heritage birds, a critically endangered species that is rare to find but offers great meat. Longlesson Farm offers whole chickens as well, and Ramble Creek Farm has various parts available.

For non-poultry meats, find many different cuts of lamb, such as shanks, loin chops, and riblets, at Elihu Farm. Hebron Valley Veal will have roasts, chops and cutlets of veal available. Squash Villa Farm offers goat leg roasts. Pork, including roasts, hocks, and sausages, will be available at three vendors: Pork & Greens (a new vendor at the farmers’ market offering various breeds of sustainably raised pork), Ramble Creek Farm, and Longlesson Farm, where pork returns in stock on November 20. The latter farm has plenty of beef available, as well.

Looking for a vegetarian or vegan centerpiece instead? You can use various in-season produce items to create a flavorful and visually stunning meal without meat. Try dishes like whole roasted cauliflower, lentil shepherd’s pie with a parsnip and potato mash, or a “squashducken” (a squash, stuffed in a squash, stuffed in another squash!).

For the other courses, the farmers’ market is sure to fill your needs as well. More on the vegetable sides, desserts, and dressings you can source at the market in next week’s edition.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. The CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall on Saturday mornings. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

FM TurkeyAccidental

Published in Food

When there is no daylight left at 6 p.m. when Wednesday market vendors pack up their stands, and it’s too cold for Saturday market vendors to feel their hands when setting up in the early morning, we at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market gratefully know the indoor winter season is coming soon.

The first winter market returns to the Wilton Mall food court on Saturday, November 6, from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., where it will take place weekly until the end of April. Over 50 local vendors will sell a full range of locally produced items, including fresh farm items, ready-to-eat foods, and artisanal products. Several holiday boutique vendors will be present as well, so you can get your holiday shopping started early this year.

Alongside many returning vendors, the winter market will also feature some new vendors and products, including alcohol-infused ice cream at Boozy Moo!, (house)plants at J. Adkins Cultivation, Scandinavian baked goods at Parchment, and several fan favorite vendors that were new at the markets this summer. This season, the market is also grateful to bring back several seasonal events and holiday celebrations like Maple March, family activities, and more.

The first holiday that will get the local treatment is Thanksgiving, which is just three markets away. Customers can preorder holiday meats, stock up on fresh produce for sides, and find plenty of dessert options at the next few weeks of markets.

While it’s hard to beat the excitement of outdoor markets at High Rock Park, there is something about the winter market season that brings out something even better: a closer sense of togetherness with our local community. When we spend more time indoors together during the holiday season, we queue our stovetops and ovens to heat our homes and hearts when we prepare homemade dishes stuffed with local market ingredients. There’s nothing quite like a warm plate prepared with quality ingredients over which to connect.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. from November through April. The market will be in the Wilton Mall Food Court, accessible from the TrustCo mall entrance, across from BJs, or the mall interior. The CDTA’s routes 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Wilton Mall at least once an hour on Saturday mornings. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest vendor and event news.

Market Vendors:

  • Ballston Lake Apiaries
  • Boozy Moo!
  • Daily Fresh
  • Elihu Farm
  • Euro Delicacies
  • Feathered Antler
  • Freddy's Rockin' Hummus
  • Giovanni Fresco
  • Gómez Veggie ville
  • Green Jeans Market Farm
  • Happy Things
  • Hebron Valley Veal
  • J. Adkins Cultivation
  • Junbucha
  • Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry
  • Kokinda Farm
  • Leaning Birch Farm
  • Longlesson Farm
  • Lovin' Mama Farm
  • Mean Max Brew Works
  • Moon Cycle Seed Company
  • Moxie Ridge Farm
  • Mrs. Londons
  • Muddy Trail Jerky Co.
  • Mugzy's Barkery
  • Native Farm Flowers
  • Nettle Meadow
  • Night Work Bread
  • Owl Wood Farm
  • Parchment
  • Petra Pocket Pies
  • Pleasant Valley Farm
  • Pork & Greens
  • Puckers Gourmet
  • R&G Cheese Makers
  • Ramble Creek Farm
  • Rishka's on Broadway
  • Saratoga Apple
  • Saratoga Chocolate Co.
  • Saratoga Garlic Company
  • Saratoga Peanut Butter Co.
  • Saratoga Suds 'n' Stuff
  • Scotch Ridge Berry Farm
  • Slate Valley Farms
  • Something's Brewing
  • Southy Sweets
  • Squash Villa Farm
  • The Food Florist
  • The Mushroom Shop
  • TogaNola Snack Company
  • Underwood's Greenhouse/ Shushan Valley Hydro Farm
  • Vashti's Kitchen Delights
  • Yankee Distillers

Published in Food

With Halloween quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning your spooky snack spreads. Candy and desserts are the stars of this holiday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in a fun way too. The farmers’ market is the perfect place to get your shopping done to incorporate fresh, local produce into your Halloween celebrations this year. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just a small gathering, here are a couple of festive recipes that are sure to impress.

Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers 

Cut off the tops of 3 orange bell peppers and set them aside. Remove and discard the cores and seeds. Carve a Jack O’ Lantern face into each pepper using a sharp knife. Drizzle the inside of each pepper with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set the peppers in a baking dish along with the pepper tops. 

In a large skillet, stir together 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice, one diced bell pepper, one diced onion, 2 medium to large diced tomatoes, 2 ½ cups vegetable broth, and 2 tbsp of taco seasoning. Stir and bring to a simmer—cover and cook for 20 minutes on low. Once cooked, add in one can of black beans and one cup of corn. 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Fill peppers with rice mixture and top with shredded cheese. Cover the peppers in the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 10 more minutes until peppers are tender. Place the tops on the peppers and enjoy your Jack-O’-Lantern stuffed peppers! Adapted from the recipe by Ayla Rianne.

Chocolate Covered Mummy & Ghost Apples

Wash your apples of choice and pat dry. Slice thinly into ¼” slices and remove any seeds/stem. Insert popsicle sticks. 

Add chopped dark or milk chocolate and 1 tbsp of coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each time. In another bowl melt white chocolate.

To make ghost apples, dip your apple slices into the white chocolate and place on a parchment paper-lined tray. Then use the dark chocolate to make your ghost’s face.

To make a mummy, dip your apple slices into the dark chocolate, then use a spoon to drizzle the white chocolate and add eyes. 

You can also add a variety of other toppings as desired like melted peanut butter, nuts, chopped candy, caramel and more! Adapted from recipe by Pastry & Beyond.

However you choose to spend this Halloween, we hope you can enjoy some sweet treats such as these. You can stop by the market this Saturday, October 30, from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at High Rock Park to pick up some supplies. This week marks the end of our outdoor summer season so we will be celebrating with some extra fall fun on Saturday. These markets will include children’s activities, a “guess the weight” pumpkin contest, giveaways, live music, trick-or-treating, and more!

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park through the end of October. The market will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court starting November 6. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Published in Food
Thursday, 21 October 2021 14:04

The Mushroom Shop: Fungi for Every Season

Saratoga’s Wednesday farmers’ market, which concludes its 2021 season at the end of October, is a gem for finding less conventional varieties of fresh, local produce. This season, a crowd favorite has been the diverse offering of seasonal mushrooms by The Mushroom Shop, a new vendor.

Partners Jacob Howard and Elise Olsen have always enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, and keeping houseplants. About six years ago, they decided to try growing something new, one of their favorite ingredients to cook with: mushrooms. That hobby turned more serious this past winter when a local farmer offered a part of their land in Salem to build a proper mushroom farm. Thus The Mushroom Shop began.

The past year has been full of learning curves for the young farmers. Through the seasons, weather affects how mushrooms grow - even in a controlled environment. To provide fresh, quality products, they don’t sell mushrooms cut more than three days before markets, so preparing the crop for harvest close to market days can be challenging.

The unpredictability of the crop also makes for happy surprises. This summer, Howard and Olsen changed the recipe for the medium they use to grow their fungi. The lion’s mane variety took very well to this change - just four of the mushrooms weighed over 15 pounds!

An abundance of lion’s mane wasn’t a problem for the couple since it’s their favorite variety to cook. 

“It’s so versatile. Its tender, meaty texture makes for a great seafood substitute, perfect for recipes like lion’s mane “crab” cakes, “shrimp” scampi, or hearty chowder. Or cook it like steak by searing thick slabs in a cast-iron skillet or on the grill,” says Howard.

The Mushroom Shop offers a variety of seasonal mushrooms, both farm-grown and foraged during the couple’s woods walks in Salem. Their products also include dried mushrooms, mushroom seasonings, and grow kits.

This November, The Mushroom Shop will join the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s winter season at the Wilton Mall with 50 other local vendors. Howard and Olsen look forward to sharing their enthusiasm for all things fungi with market customers, who can expect to see several new cold-weather varieties at their stand this winter, like enoki, beech, black pearl oysters, king trumpets, and nameko.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FM ChickenSpinachSalad

Published in Food
Thursday, 14 October 2021 12:43

Using the Whole Vegetable: Root to Stem Cooking

One of the great benefits of shopping at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is having access to the whole form of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. When making my recipe for sheet pan chicken with carrots, potatoes, and carrot top pesto, you can gather most ingredients from local farms at the farmers’ market.

You will find brightly colored piles of fresh young carrots in the fall with their vibrant green tops still attached. Carrot tops are highly nutritious and packed with vitamin A and vitamin C and a decent amount of calcium and iron. Carrot tops can be used just as any other dark leafy greens and can be stirred into soups, sauteed with butter and garlic, or blended into a flavorful fall pesto. 

If carrot tops are unavailable, you can make this recipe with fresh parsley instead. The carrots are sold with their tops attached, freshly harvested and have tender skin that does not require peeling. Just scrub the carrots well to remove any dirt and ensure the carrot tops are clean. You can leave 1-2 inches of the stems attached to the top for added visual interest for this dish. If your carrots vary in size, cut the larger ones in half lengthwise so they have a similar diameter to the smaller ones to ensure even roasting. 

Potatoes work well in this recipe, but other in-season fall vegetables such as delicata squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or brussels sprouts would be delicious as well. You can use any size of potatoes, but, just like the carrots, make sure they are all cut to be about the same size. Cut smaller potatoes in half and larger ones into quarters. 

Any leftover carrot top pesto can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This pesto also makes an excellent spread for grilled sandwiches, a topping for fried eggs, or a base for homemade salad dressing. 

I enjoy developing recipes and sharing wholesome food using my background in nutrition and culinary arts. For more seasonal, whole-food recipes for the everyday home cook, visit my Instagram @Lemon.thyme.kitchen. And visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

FM ChickenSpinachSalad

Published in Food
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  • Saratoga County Court  Kathleen M. Callanan, 62, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 1 year in local jail, after pleading to felony grand larceny.  Cassandra R. Barden, 38, homeless, was sentenced to 1-1/2 to 3 years incarceration after pleading to felony attempted assault, charged in Milton.  Ashley Vetrano, 35, of Glens Falls, pleaded to felony robbery, charged in Moreau. Sentencing May 23.  Gabrielle Montanye, 63, of Stillwater, was sentenced to 5 years probation, after pleading to felony attempted identity theft, charged in Ballston Spa.  Daniel J. Koenig, III, 53, of Round Lake, was sentenced to 2 to 4 years incarceration, after…

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