Amish Food

Now is a great time to get produce from Amish stands. David Arment of site sponsor Arment Photography has ten photos today featuring various foods in Amish country, and the signs which advertise it. About half of these are produce, and half we can just call “other”. I’m not sure all of them are from Amish businesses, but most are. Which shot do you like…

It’s not exactly the season for making maple syrup, but it’s always the season for eating it, right? David Arment shares photos of syrup being made, along with the finished product, a remarkably dark syrup which I’m sorry I can’t sample over the internet somehow. David explains: We lived on 15 acres of wooded ground. One of the local Amish guys asked if he could…

“The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day.” – Lewis Carroll By no means do Amish people take this notion literally. Jam, or one of its cousins, can be had pretty much any day you want it in most Amish homes. You can also find it on store shelves, at least 6 days per week. I picked up the jam above–okay,…

William Woys Weaver is a food historian who has written extensively on Pennsylvania Dutch food and culture.  He’s written a new book called As American As Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine.  From an NPR article on the subject: News flash: Whoopie pies are not indigenous Pennsylvania Dutch food, no matter what the tourist traps say. Nor are the seafood bisque, chili, roast…

Amish youth at Belle Center, Ohio (and elsewhere) may take part in a fun social event called a “Mystery Supper”.  Mark Curtis shares how this unusual meal works (thanks to Don Curtis for relaying the details): The youth come in and sit down for supper.  At their place is a plate and a list of numbered blanks. The blanks must be completely filled out in…

I had a massive craving for pie the other day, one which struck like lightning.  In North Carolina I am over 2 hours from any Amish communities, so I headed posthaste to my local Kroger for the store-baked variety. The black raspberry pie I selected came in an attractive matte box which had encouraging things printed on it, like “Private Selection” and “Fresh Baked In…

A reader in Illinois shares a photo of 3 spreads given by an Amish neighbor, along with a loaf of bread and a thank-you note.  I have eaten 2 of these 3 (tasty).  Do you know what they are, and when they’re usually eaten?  Ever had some yourself? Update: Below, a larger photo of the note with reference to the spreads: The peanut butter (right) and…