When Does Soup Become Stew?
What is the difference between a soup and a stew? A simple explanation is that if you can drink the broth, it’s a soup. If you need a fork and a spoon, it’s a stew. Both are easy to customize to your liking using local ingredients from the farmers’ market.
Photos by Pattie Garrett.
For soups, let’s focus on stock or broth, preferably homemade, by simmering chicken or beef leftovers in water, or utilizing root vegetables, onions, and herbs. A quality stock can make soup flavorful and nourishing, and stock makers like chicken parts are available at Grazin’ Acres Farm and Jireh Farm, which also sells beef and pork bones.
Soups can range from simple broths with vegetables to creamy, pureed soups featuring ingredients like potatoes and cheese. The first step is typically sautéing aromatics such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs. Then, add broth and seasonal vegetables. Pasta, beans, beef, and poultry may also be added for protein and density.
When making stew, the ingredients are the stars, typically cooked slow and low for concentrated flavors. Stews have a reputation for being thicker and heartier with much less liquid.
For vegetables, Gomez Veggie Ville and Lovin’ Mama Farm have stored root vegetables, as well as greens and herbs. You’ll find Brussels sprouts, potatoes, winter squash, beets, cabbage, onions, kohlrabi, garlic, and kale, and many herbs and spices like rosemary and thyme, and dried chili peppers. The Mushroom Shop has a wide variety of mushrooms. And, Muddy Trails Jerky Co. has spices for seasoning.
Beef, chicken, and lamb are abundant at the farmers’ market and are delicious additions to whatever soup or stew you’re making. Consider chuck roast for beef stew, smoked ham hocks for split pea, Polish kielbasa soup, beef chili, and a slow-simmered lamb stew. Longlesson Farm, Holly & Vine, Thymeless Homestead, May-K-Mark, Hepatica Farm, Jireh Farm, and Grazin’ Acres have excellent options.
If you’re looking for a shortcut, Muddy Trails Jerky Co. offers various soup mixes, including alphabet soup, broccoli cheddar soup, and southern bean soup.
What’s Happening at the Market in January
Live Music:
• January 17 TuneFolk
• January 24 Far Eye Reggae
• January 31 Selah Eiler
Children’s Activity:
• January 17 Silly Snowflake Craft with the Saratoga Springs Mobile Library
FREE Yoga Classes:
• January 17, 24, and 31 at 10:30 in the new market pop-up studio with Yoga Mandali
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Wilton Mall food court. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @saratogafarmersmarket, and sign up for our free weekly newsletter.
