(photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett)
Berries bring a touch of sweetness to the farmers’ market
By Julia Howard
Sweet, fresh, tart, juicy — berries are a highlight of the summer season. At the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, local farms have baskets brimming with ripe strawberries and blueberries, with raspberries soon to arrive at market tables.
If you covet berry season as we do, visit the Wednesday or Saturday markets to enjoy the season’s berry harvests, and don’t miss this Saturday’s Berry Bash from 9 am to 1pm with family activities, educational workshops, cooking demonstrations, and of course, berries and berry products galore.
If you’re seeking freshly harvested berries, try Scotch Ridge Berry Farm, Gomez Veggie Ville, Owl Wood Farm, Burger’s Market Garden, and Saratoga Apple at the farmers’ market. You can purchase berries for snacking, baking, or freezing, allowing you to savor them long into the winter.
But the berry bounty doesn’t stop there. Local producers have found delicious and creative ways to incorporate berries into their products so that you can bring the farm directly to your table.
For creative confections, local bakeries have, as Isabel Burlingham, the owner or Parchment Bakery, says, “all the berry things!”. On Parchment’s table, berries are baked into everything from rainbow shortbread cookies to Scandinavian pastries with raspberries and lemon curd. Muddy Trail Jerky Co. has a scrumptious variety of blueberry muffins, bars, and bread. Tyromance Fine Snacks offers gluten and dairy-free options, including strawberry pistachio granola and strawberry shortbread. Katie Bakes GF has gluten-free blueberry muffins and strawberry-lemon scones baked with fresh fruit. And Isanomcakes has berry cannelles, irresistible French pastries with a strawberry custard filling.
Berries can be found beyond baked goods, too! Kokinda Farm offers a wide variety of berry jams, with this season’s harvest featuring flavors such as strawberry-mango, blueberry, blackberry, and black raspberry. Holly & Vine brings colorful berry-shaped candles and all-natural marshmallows made with strawberries. Even your canine friend can enjoy berry season with blueberry woofles (waffle treats) and berry pupcakes at Mugzy’s Barkery.
Awakened Tonics has apple cider vinegar tonics with antioxidant-rich blackberries and black raspberries. Argyle Cheese Farmer has their famous sweet Greek yogurts and smoothies featuring blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
While shopping at the market, you can enjoy icy blended berry smoothies from Jenny Jo’s and berry smoothies and acai bowls featuring fresh fruit from Thorn + Roots food truck.
July Market News:
- Berry Bash coming to the Saturday Market on Saturday, July 12th at High Rock Park details at https://saratogafarmersmarket.org/berry-bash-at-the-saratoga-farmers-market/
- Free Kids Club every Wednesday at High Rock Park with different themes, stay tuned at the website and in the market’s social media (Facebook & instagram)
(photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett)
This week’s Recipe: Blueberry Fool
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:
Mondays | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Shenendehowa Methodist, Route 146 Clifton Park
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
High Rock Park, Downtown 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.
