Delicious Delights in the Valley

Spend any amount of time in the Platte Valley during the warmer months, and you've probably seen DeeDee Martz, owner of DD's Delicious Delights, set up somewhere. A regular face at the Farmer's Market at the Saratoga Museum, Dee Dee also sets up at multiple events and locations throughout the summer.

While most of her business takes place in the summer, a few special customers have orders for the winter as well.

"Don't get between Teense Wilford and his Jalapeño jam," said Dee Dee "I've made it during the winter too for him. Even before I started having more year round business."

Since she started taking her products to the Farmer's Market three years ago, Dee Dee has seen demand skyrocket for her delightful canned goods. With over 25 years experience in canning, DeeDee has a few tricks up her sleeve and keeps her secrets closely guarded.

"Don't spill the beans on my techniques," she joked recently as she took time to show me her canning process.

When she started out at the Farmer's Market three years ago, Dee Dee sold mainly breads, pickles and her classic strawberry rhubarb jam. Though strawberry rhubarb is still her number one seller, Dee Dee has branched out into exciting territory when it comes to canned goods. Tickles-taco flavored pickles-aren't something one will find in grocery stores any time soon. Those, along with watermelon rind pickles, gives someone plenty of new flavors to try.

In addition to offering her delicious treats at various events throughout the Valley, Dee Dee also delights the Valley in many other ways. Known for donating items to raffles and multiple causes, Dee Dee is trying to do her part to help the community. One of those examples is the Old Fashioned Family Carnival, which held its inaugural event over July 4 weekend this year. Dee Dee hopes to make it an annual event.

"I just wanted something for the kids to do, while their parents had so many options on the fourth" said Dee Dee, adding next year they hope to have a bigger and better event annually. "I think a talent show would be really cool."

Water balloon fights and a river duck race are also hopeful ideas for years to come.

Thankful to Saratoga Middle High School sophomores for their help in cleaning up the carnival, Dee Dee donated $130 to their prom.

"We really had some volunteers come out of the woodwork to help pull off the carnival, I was so thankful to everyone who donated and volunteered," Dee Dee said.

Along with donating to the SMHS sophomores, Dee Dee made a $1,000 donation to the American Legion for Staff Sergeant Tyler Pickett Memorial Park. Along with cleaning the plexiglass on the memorial board at Khe Sahn West Park, Dee Dee continues to do her part to aid the community.

Even after she was presented an award for "caught doing it right" by the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dee Dee has no plans of slowing down. She is donating to help fix monuments at Khe Sahn West Park, where she sets up when she's not at the Farmer's Market.

"When I got married I couldn't make much of anything, let alone can," Dee Dee said with a laugh.

Having three sons to raise, canning became a way of life quickly. Two huge gardens helped. Even now Dee Dee continues to grow much of her own produce.

"My husband and I chopped down 200 pounds of rhubarb this summer," she explained recently to browsing customers.

Having samples for people to try has really boosted business this year.

"People get a taste of something and then really have to have it," said Dee Dee.

With a huge variety of products it's impossible to list all the delights Dee Dee sells. Spiced peaches, cowboy candy, zucchini pickle relish and multiple breads line the table. Along with setting up shop at the Farmer's Market and Khe Sahn West Park, she can be seen at multiple events in the Valley. Dee Dee's Delicious Delights is seemingly everywhere.

Dee Dee is a delight to chat with while browsing her delicious products. There is always something new each time you stop, so make sure to say hello when you see this pop up shop out and about.