From beautiful cheese boards and fresh seafood to handcrafted side dishes and irresistible baked goods, our farmers market artisans have Thanksgiving covered!
Thanksgiving is a celebration of good food, family, friends, and gratitude. But putting together a holiday feast doesn’t mean you have to make every single dish yourself!
One of the pleasures of shopping at the farmers market is discovering the wonderful foods made by our local artisan producers. From handmade cheeses and savory spreads to freshly baked breads and specialty desserts, these talented food makers offer plenty of delicious shortcuts for holiday entertaining.
Whether you’re hosting a houseful of guests, bringing something special to a potluck, or simply looking for a few delicious additions to your Thanksgiving table, we’ve gathered some of our favorite market finds to make your holiday a little easier—and a lot more delicious.
The Star of the Show: Thanksgiving Turkey
If a beautiful, locally raised turkey is on your holiday wish list, Fogline Farm has a limited number of pasture-raised turkeys available for Thanksgiving. These are a special seasonal offering, so be sure to place your order as soon as possible.
Another wonderful option comes from our longtime friend and former market vendor, Dave, at Corralitos Market and Sausage Company. Their smoked turkey is a local favorite, offering a flavorful alternative to traditional oven-roasted turkey.
Either way, ordering ahead is essential!
Let’s Start with Appetizers!
Guests arriving early? Need something for everyone to nibble on while the finishing touches are happening in the kitchen?
A beautiful appetizer spread is one of the easiest ways to make guests feel welcome. And the farmers market is practically a one-stop shop for creating a spectacular grazing board—without spending hours in the kitchen.
Zena Foods — Chef Ahmed offers a marvelous selection of flavorful spreads, dips, and hummus, along with fabulous pita bread. Pick up several varieties, add some crisp seasonal vegetables, and you’ve got an instant appetizer platter.
Wise Goat Organics — Mary’s colorful assortment of fermented vegetables and salsas adds lively flavors and unexpected touches to a holiday appetizer board. Try pairing her tangy fermented specialties with rich cheeses or savory meats.
Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery — A beautiful assortment of handcrafted goat cheeses is a natural starting point for any cheese platter. Pair them with seasonal fruit, toasted nuts, and a drizzle of local honey.
Schoch Family Farmstead — Another wonderful source for locally made cheeses, along with creamy yogurt that’s perfect for homemade dips. And while you’re there, don’t forget to pick up some of their delicious cultured butter for the Thanksgiving table.
Foustman’s Salami — Their locally crafted salami is a wonderful addition to a charcuterie board. Pair it with artisan cheeses, olives, nuts, and a good crusty loaf of bread.
Amen Bee Products — A little local honey drizzled over creamy goat cheese is a simple but elegant touch. Set out a small dish of honey alongside the cheeses and let guests experiment with their favorite pairings.
Something Special from the Sea
If you’d like to offer something beyond the traditional cheese and charcuterie platter, our seafood vendors have some delicious ideas.
La Marea of the Sea — Fresh oysters on the half shell make a spectacular holiday appetizer. Serve them simply with lemon wedges and your favorite mignonette sauce. Be sure to place your order ahead of time.
MIF Seafood — Their smoked salmon is an exceptional addition to an appetizer spread. Arrange slices on a platter with capers, thinly sliced red onion, lemon, and a little crème fraîche. Add crackers or toasted baguette slices, and you’re ready for guests.
H & H Fresh Fish Company — Looking for a ready-to-serve appetizer? Their poke or ceviche makes an easy and flavorful addition to the holiday menu. Keep it properly chilled until serving.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches!
Dried fruits and nuts add color, texture, and beautiful seasonal flavors to any appetizer board.
Visit Pulido Farms, Fernandez Farms, Minazzoli Farms, Schletewitz Family Farms, and Stackhouse Orchards for wonderful selections of nuts and dried fruits.
A handful of walnuts, almonds, and dried fruit tucked between cheeses and crackers can transform a simple platter into something special.
And here’s a little entertaining trick: set out small bowls of nuts and dried fruit around the room so guests can help themselves while everyone gathers.
Holiday Side Dishes: Let a Chef Do Some of the Cooking!
One of our favorite farmers market artisans, Chef Jody Lombardo of Bay Living Culinary, is the next best thing to having your own personal chef in the kitchen!
Jody is known for her wonderful homemade soups, simmer sauces, chicken pot pies, and delicious heat-and-serve dinners. For Thanksgiving, she’s preparing a few special holiday offerings that can make your menu planning considerably easier.
Jody’s Thanksgiving Specials
- Butternut Squash Bisque with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds — A silky, comforting seasonal soup that would make a lovely first course for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Port Wine and Fresh Cranberry Sauce — A deliciously sophisticated take on the traditional cranberry accompaniment, with rich fruit flavors that pair beautifully with turkey.
- Chef’s Fresh Herb Butter — One of Jody’s signature specialties! Add a generous pat to mashed potatoes, warm dinner rolls, roasted vegetables, or your holiday turkey for a finishing touch of fresh herb flavor.
Thanksgiving ordering information
Order by November 20, with pickup on Wednesday, November 25. Place your order directly with Jody at the farmers market or contact Bay Living Culinary for ordering details.
And while you’re shopping, consider picking up a few of Jody’s regular offerings to have on hand for out-of-town guests. Her soups, chicken pot pies, simmer sauces, and weekly entrées can be a lifesaver when you’ve got a houseful of company and don’t want to cook another big meal!
From the Bakery: Breads, Pies, and Holiday Treats
Let’s not forget the bakers! We’re fortunate to have some exceptionally talented artisan bakers at our farmers markets.
Whether you’re looking for a crusty sourdough loaf, beautiful dinner bread, flaky breakfast pastries, or a special holiday dessert, you’ll find plenty to love.
Sweet Elena’s Bakery — Stop by for a selection of beautiful baked goods and sweet treats. A lovely choice for the holiday dessert table or a special breakfast with visiting family.
Beckmann’s Bakery — A longtime farmers market favorite, Beckmann’s is known for its wonderful breads and seasonal pies. Their pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving classic!
Companion Bakeshop — Known for its artisan sourdough breads and thoughtfully crafted pastries, Companion is a wonderful stop for something special to accompany the holiday meal—or to enjoy with coffee the following morning.
A word to the wise: Holiday pies and specialty breads are always popular, so check with individual bakers about advance orders and availability. Don’t leave that pumpkin pie to chance!
A Little Less Cooking, a Little More Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be an exhausting marathon in the kitchen. Sometimes the smartest holiday preparation is knowing when to let someone else contribute something wonderful to the table.
A beautiful cheese board, a handcrafted cranberry sauce, a freshly baked pie, or a loaf of excellent artisan bread can be every bit as memorable as something you’ve made yourself.
And when those foods come from the hardworking farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and culinary artisans in our own community, there’s even more to be thankful for.
Shop early, place special orders ahead of time, and enjoy the pleasure of putting together a Thanksgiving table filled with the very best of our local farmers markets.
SEE ALSO:
The Classic Farmers Market Thanksgiving: Favorite Traditions, Fresh from the Harvest
A Little Thanksgiving: The Quiet Luxury of a Beautiful Holiday Dinner
The Vegetarian Harvest Table: A Thanksgiving Feast Without the Turkey
Friendsgiving: A Celebration of Sides — The Perfect Holiday Potluck
