While you’re peeping the changing leaves or hiking the trails in the Southern Adirondacks this fall, don’t forget to bring home more than memories. As an agricultural community, Washington County is home to hundreds of farms of all sizes, raising and making products you can enjoy at the table.
From incredible ice cream, freshly churned from their own herd to table decor woven or harvested just for you, there are more than a few ways to bring Upstate NY home this holiday season.
Farm-Fresh Main Course
The star of any holiday meal is often the turkey, and if you’ve never tried a farm-raised bird from your local farmers, you’re sure to taste the difference!
Dozens of farms offer holiday birds, from turkey to chicken and quail, but you want to get your order in early: Lots of room to graze means a limited number of birds, and they sell out fast!
Pleasant Valley Farm CSA offers products from dozens of local farms, so you can have your pick of what’s available. They even offer NYC deliveries, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls pickups, or farm pickup if you’re in the area.
If you’re looking for some darker meat for the table, Washington County has you covered there, too. You’ll taste the farm-fresh difference when you cook using meat from Locust Grove Smokehouse in Argyle, Nessle Bros Meats in Greenwich, or Yushak’s Market in Salem.
For beef lovers, our county is rich with cattle farms. Choose Angus or Hereford from Marchaland Farms, free-range & grass-fed Angus from Mack Brook Farm, all-natural Blonde d’Aquitaine beef from Easton Station Farms, or pastured from Fuller Acres. From brisket to stew beef, whatever you’re making, you can find the right cut there!
Tiashoke offers Holstein-Angus cross beef products, plus farm-raised pork and turkeys, too. Another excellent source for ethically raised turkey, duck, pork, and more comes from K & L Hollow Farm.
Not a meat eater? Head to the Cambridge Valley Farmers Market on Sundays and pick up incredible, star-of-the-show mushrooms from 518 Farms.
Decorate, Dine, and Raise a Toast
While you’re at the Cambridge Valley Farmers Market, you can pick up even more great items for your celebrations. Ingredients like oat groats, pesto, and fresh vegetables are available, along with ready-to-share dips, bread, and more from all different vendors. You can even set the table with a touch of Washington County.
Itching for a new serving dish or ready to trade your wedding china for something different? Check out Pennyworks Pottery or the North Granville Pottery Company. Both artists offer unique styles, perfect for daily use or special occasions.
As a farming community, it should come as no surprise that many Washington County locals raise fiber animals and/or create great woven, knit, and felted products with that fiber.
You can enjoy that handiwork on your table this holiday with tablecloths, napkins, and more from expert loom weavers like Crazy as a Loom or Mill Street Textiles / Battenkill Fibers.
Celebrate the season with a special drink, grown and brewed right here. Dry ciders from Slyboro are a great choice, as are wines from Victory View, Northern Cross, or South Dominion. Or consider a special nightcap bourbon from Springbrook Hollow.
Give a Gift Your Host Will Cherish
If someone else is doing the cooking this year and you don’t want to turn up empty-handed, consider picking up a gift your host can enjoy after the table is cleared and the dishes are done. From local handicrafts and artwork to specialty food to suit any taste, you’ll find it here.
There’s nothing worse than thinking about cooking breakfast after a day spent preparing for a Thanksgiving feast. Bring along some baked goodies that can be enjoyed the morning after. A dozen from the King Bakery Donut Cart is sure to do the trick.
Seal the Deal with Something Sweet
Pies at Witches Village Cafe
We all know that during the holiday season, the sweet stuff takes center stage. Luckily, if you plan ahead, you can ensure guests will have the best selection of desserts after a hearty meal.
Many local cafes and diners are known for their incredible cakes, pies, and baked goods. Be sure to order your holiday desserts now from places like the Witches Village Cafe in Greenwich or Mamma’s Cafe in Fort Edward.
One of the most popular desserts in Washington County is cheesecake from the Nuns of New Skete. Available in flavors like apple walnut, maple, chocolate amaretto, and Kahlua, you can order online, pick one up from many shops around the region, or head to the nuns’ gift shop in Cambridge. Don’t forget to pick up some savory cheese spreads, baking mix, or a fruit cake while you’re there.
