Thanks to everyone who read the interview with Sherry Gore, author of Taste of Pinecraft: Glimpses of Sarasota, Florida’s Amish Culture and Kitchens. What fun it was to get Sherry’s inside take on this unique community. Also really enjoyed reading your comments and great questions.
Before we roll out the winners, I asked Sherry if she could share a recipe and story from Taste of Pinecraft. The following bit is originally excerpted from the Pinecraft Pauper, and was written by founder Daniel Fisher, with a recipe from Pinecraft local Sadie Hochstetler. I’ve never heard of “Fluffy Pumpkin Pie” but with the recipe calling for 24 large marshmallows I have no doubt that it is!
Who is it that churns out the goodies from the bakery at Yoder’s Restaurant? It is Mary Yoder & staff: Mrs. Yoder’s outlook for the winter is this: “We’re gonna have an awsome season.”
“Are you ready for it?”
“Bring it on!”
Baking gives her pleasure, she declared, for she is “carrying on Mom’s tradition.” I offered her a million dollars for the secret pie dough recipe, but she said it would take more than that. It crushed me right down, for a million was all I had on me.
Daniel Fisher * Pinecraft Pauper
Fluffy Pumpkin Pie
24 lg. marshmallows
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cont. frozen whipped topping
In small saucepan melt marshmallows over low heat. Remove from
heat and stir in pumpkin and spices. Cool, then add 3/4 cont. whipped
topping. Refrigerate at least 4 hrs. Decorate with rest of topping.
Sadie Hochstetler *Pinecraft, FL
And here are the five winners of a copy of Taste of Pinecraft, chosen at random using random.org. If you left more than one comment that is great, but I just counted the first one for contest purposes:
Congratulations to all. Winners, please send the address where you’d like the book shipped (send to me at amishamerica@gmail.com) and I’ll pass along to Sherry.
If you didn’t win, you can pick up a copy of the book at Sherry’s site. Also, if you would like to get a further fix of Pinecraft, Katie Troyer (author of the mounties photo above and fishing photo below) shares photos and writes about life in that community here.
Finally, be sure to check back as there are about 5 more giveaways of other books scheduled for the next couple-few months.
And how about one more excerpt and recipe, before we go?
Here’s a fish story found in Sherry’s manuscript. It’s an excerpt from a Nov., ‘09 Budget letter:
Son Tyler has had pretty good success
fishing in Pinecraft Park (lately). Just
last week he reeled in a 31 in. tarpon, which
he released. Not everything he’s hooked has
been so good however. The other day Tyler
cast his line into the waters and was dismayed
to pull up, of all things, a discarded pickax tool.
This is in the very spot where Tyler had used to
jump into the Phillipi Creek from a rope swing. it was the
sighting of an enormous toothed gar fish which dis-
Pending the fish story is a recipe for Grilled Lime Fish Fillets:
2 lbs. fish fillets
Canola oil
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. lime juice
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Brush fish with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Place fish in hinged grill or on well-greased grill 3-4″ from medium coals. Cook 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with fork, basting frequently with mixture of butter and lime juice. Just before serving, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh lime wedges, and white or wild rice. For bacon-wrapped fillets: before placing fish on grill, place lime slices on side of fish; wrap fish and lime with bacon slices. Secure bacon with toothpicks.
Photo credits: mounties and fisherman-Katie Troyer
A comment by Al in KY got me thinking about how many Amish settlements I’ve actually visited. I had tallied this up before, but it was years ago. So I thought it a good idea to put together a fresh list. I believe the very first settlement I went to was Lancaster County, but that would have been with my parents as a young child…
Two weeks, 5 states, 15 communities. Five (plus) pounds. It was a whirlwind trip as I packed a month of visiting into 2 weeks of time. I spent the past weekend zonked out and resting up (3700 road miles will do that to you). But I’ve recovered enough to put together a collection of highlights from my recent Amish trip: Dessert at the home of…
Back when I was tallying up the list of Amish communities I’ve already visited, I got to thinking about the ones I haven’t been to yet, but would like to visit. The list below is my current “top 7.” Maybe one of these is on your list? 1. Conewango Valley, New York This plainer-side Amish settlement of 15 church districts has always seemed appealing to…
TIME Magazine has a new article called “Amish People Stay Healthy in Old Age. Here’s Their Secret.” It starts with some interesting info I’d never seen before: The average American life expectancy is currently just under 79 years. Back in 1900, it was only 47, but for early–20th century Amish it was already greater than 70. I don’t know the source of this, but let’s…
Mike Sparks, who gave us a look at the Amish community in Ashland County, OH, returns to share his recent visit to the settlement in Holmes and Wayne Counties. Mike has been visiting and learning about the Amish for over four decades now. I’ll let Mike take it away with a little description of his background and then his photos of the early-July trip. If…
Here’s a look at an Amish community that’s among the most isolated of all – the one at Burke’s Garden, Virginia. Some of you will remember I visited this place last Thanksgiving. I actually made two stops in this community – once on the way up to Holmes County, and once again on Thanksgiving morning on the way home to NC. Today’s photos were all…
Congrats to the winners !! YEAH !!! and thank you E for being fair(not that you wouldn’t be) 🙂 How’s the tag line coming… any thoughts or close to a decision ????
Just Wondering
Michelle V.
Thank you for putting a title under the Fisherman in the Pinecraft Park.
Thanks for posting some of my Sarasota photos recently!
Congratulations winners! I am sure you will enjoy the book!!
Thanks Erik for all your give aways they are fun. 🙂
Thank you for the cookbook.
Chris, Katie–my pleasure. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos–Katie I think you actually inspired the title though!
Glad you enjoyed it Alice…stay tuned 🙂
Janet, congrats to you. I need to check my email but if you’ve sent me a location to send it will get that over to Sherry.
Congrats to the winners !! YEAH !!! and thank you E for being fair(not that you wouldn’t be) 🙂 How’s the tag line coming… any thoughts or close to a decision ????
Just Wondering
Michelle V.
Wow! I’m so excited I’m a winner!
Congratulations to the winners !!! Thank you Erik for giving all of us the chance to enter.
Marilyn
Hey Michelle–I am mulling it a bit right now! I should have it figured out soon and will let know 😉 thanks for the help!
Joann, congratulations to you, I just got your address off to Sherry so your book ought to be on the way soon.
Marilyn, thanks for participating, and if you didn’t win the good news is we’ll have another contest (and interview) next week!
The sunset picture is amazing! We have some beauties around here, but no palm trees and water.