By Julia Howard
Working at the farmers’ market may seem like the perfect opportunity to enjoy all the delicious food it has to offer. In reality, I’m usually working, and when I do get a chance to grab something, I’m pretty predictable. Give me an açaí bowl from Thorn + Roots, and I’m happy.
My 12-year-old daughter, on the other hand, takes a very different approach to market food. She is what I would call a farmers’ market food connoisseur. She has eaten her way through an impressive number of prepared food vendors and, unlike her mother, is always willing to try something different.
So, when it came time to write about all the delicious prepared foods at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, I decided to consult the real expert.
I asked her a simple question: If someone came to the farmers’ market hungry, what would you tell them to eat?
“Well, it depends on what kind of day it is!”
Fair enough.
If it’s a cold day and you’re very hungry, she recommends heading to Euro Delicacies for something hearty like stuffed peppers or lasagna. Or, stop at Daily Fresh for a hot combo plate with mutter paneer or one of their flavorful curries with rice. According to my expert, a samosa is a must.
If you’re looking for something delicious but quick and casual, she has options for that, too: a ham and cheese croissant from Bakery Suzanne, a chai snickerdoodle from Night Work Bread, or empanadas from Yaggo’s Munchie Machine.
And if it’s the kind of market day that calls for something cold and refreshing? A smoothie from Jenny Jo’s is on the list.
At this point in our interview, I realized that I’ve been approaching market food all wrong. While I’ve been faithfully returning to my beloved açaí bowl, my daughter has developed an entire eating strategy based on weather, hunger level, and mood.
And she still has plenty more recommendations.
Even after all that market eating, she still has things on her list to try, including a gochujang sausage roll from Saratoga Sausagesmith and a mango lassi from Daily Fresh.
So, what does our resident food connoisseur have to say to anyone who has never come to the market hungry?
“You’re missing out! There’s everything from BBQ chicken to loaded nachos!”
I think I’ll take her word for it, and maybe, just maybe, venture beyond my açaí bowl next week.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays, 3–6 PM, and Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM, at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga, and Mondays, 2–5 PM in Clifton Park. Visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org to sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow the market on Facebook and Instagram.
