By Andrea Grom
I’m planning on making Father’s Day particularly special because my dad is going through some significant medical issues this year. It’s a highlight of dad’s week to get treats from the market: buttery croissants, chicken pot pie, smoked ham steaks, juicy strawberries, tender butterhead lettuce, and crispy cucumbers are a few of his favorites. Here are a few market-inspired ideas to make your dad smile this Father’s Day!
Bring a Picnic on Your Next Outing with Dad
Don’t forget to pack some sustenance on your next hike, bike, and canoeing or fishing trip with dad. At the market, you can find all the ingredients you need for the best sandwiches: sourdough bread from Nightwork Bread, Halfmoon Harvest, and Bakery Suzanne, no-nitrate sliced ham from Grazin’ Acres, fine cheeses from the Argyle Cheese Farmer and Nettle Meadow, lettuce and onions from Gomez VeggieVille, Lovin’ Mama Farm, Owl Wood Farm, and Leaning Birch Farm, and fresh tomatoes from Shushan Valley Hydro Farm. Or if PJB is more your style, try a nutty spread from Saratoga Peanut Butter Company and jam from Kokinda Farm. Including beef jerky from Muddy Trails Jerky Co., pickles from Puckers Gourmet and apples from Saratoga Apple, you have the perfect lunch for your next adventure.
Throw a Grill Party
Give dad a night off from the grill (if he lets you), and make him a dinner that he won’t forget. Visit your favorite meat vendor for steaks, hamburgers, sausages, and hotdogs (Long Lesson Farm, May-K-Mark, Grazin’ Acres, Jireh Farm, Wintervine Farm, and Ghost Light Farm all have a nice selection). Or you could try BBQ chicken with chicken breasts from Hepatica Farm or grilled salmon from Pura Vida Fisheries or Coleman’s Catch. Don’t forget to sharpen his knives at Mister Edge Sharpening on Wednesday!
Wine and Spirits for the Win
After a day of good food and sun, kick back and relax with a fine wine or spirit with dad. Be sure to check out Old Tavern Farm, Yankee Distillers, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Fossil Stone Vineyards, Albany Distilling Co., and Autumn’s Harvest Vineyard for bourbon, whiskey, rye and local red and white wines. I’m sure your dad will discover a new favorite.
Happy Father’s Day!
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.
