Amish cooking might seem far removed from modern techniques, yet it holds timeless wisdom that can transform your approach to food. Emphasizing simplicity and tradition, these practices foster a deep connection to the community and the joy of preparing meals together. The Amish way of cooking highlights the beauty in straightforward methods and the profound impact of keeping traditions alive. Here’s what you can do to incorporate some of their secrets into your kitchen.
Cooking and Community Go Hand in Hand
In the Amish tradition, the end of Sunday service, held biweekly in a family’s home, is just the start of a communal gathering. Hosting the service means also preparing a meal, a task that rotates among families to share the effort. This custom knits the community closer, turning each service into a chance to bond over a light lunch, tea, and cookies. It’s a beautiful blend of faith, food, and fellowship, showing how deeply cooking and sharing a meal can connect people.
Almost Everything Can Be Canned!
Canning isn’t just a hobby in the Amish community; it’s a way of life that captures the essence of each season. When gardens are overflowing with cucumbers, strawberries, and more, these goodies get tucked into jars and stowed away in cool cellars. This low-tech, traditional method means even in the heart of winter, families can enjoy the taste of summer’s bounty.
Eat Breakfast Together as a Family
Imagine the house waking up before the sun does, the kitchen bustling while the world outside is still quiet. Breakfast in an Amish home isn’t just about eating; it’s the calm before the storm of the day. While some are out milking cows and others are tackling the laundry, there’s always something warming up on the wood stove, filling the house with comforting smells. But the best part? Everyone comes together to share these early moments, creating a bond over simple dishes that sets a solid foundation for the day ahead.
Teach Traditions to Each Generation
In the Amish community, passing down cooking traditions isn’t about following detailed recipes from a book. It’s about mothers and daughters standing side by side in the kitchen, where a simple index card of ingredients is the only guide. Through hands-on teaching, girls learn not just to cook and bake but to master the techniques and methods by heart.
Pie is Good For Every Occasion
In the Amish world, pies hold a special place at the heart of cooking, becoming a canvas to celebrate the seasons or creatively use what’s on hand. Whether it’s the fruit of summer or the deep, rich flavors meant for Christmas, pies are a cherished way to share the bounty. Making 8-12 pies a week isn’t out of the ordinary, with the Shoofly pie, a breakfast favorite, often stealing the show.
Grow and Raise Your Own Food
An Amish farmers market showcases the essentials: crisp apples, fresh potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, and greens. This is because Amish families grow and raise most of their own food. Their meals directly reflect this, using ingredients straight from their land. It’s a straightforward approach to eating fresh and knowing exactly where your food comes from, ensuring every dish is filled with natural, homegrown goodness.
Nothing Goes to Waste
The Amish approach to cooking embodies efficiency and respect for resources. When processing a pig, for example, every part is utilized over several days, resulting in an array of dishes from homemade sausage to smoked meat pies and hearty soups enriched with ham. Even the tiniest scraps find a purpose, often turning into cornmeal scrapple, a staple among the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Keep Food at the Center of Every Important Life Celebration
In Amish communities, large events like weddings and barn raisings bring everyone together, sometimes feeding hundreds. It’s all hands on deck, with neighbors and relatives ready to help whip up massive meals. Imagine tables laden with everything from mashed potatoes and pies to sweet and savory salads, showcasing the abundance at these gatherings. This tradition of sharing a generous spread ensures that food remains a cornerstone of celebration, deepening community ties with every shared meal.
Absolutely Delicious Food Can Be Made From Almost Nothing
In Amish kitchens, less is often more. A few basic items like flour, butter, and eggs are all it takes to whip up something special, like their famous Sugar Cookies or the wedding treat “nothings” — light, deep-fried pastries sprinkled with sugar.
I Live In Amish Country and These Are Their Best Foods, Hands Down
Moving to Amish country last year felt like stepping into a whole new world, nestled in the peaceful heart of rural serenity. Our Amish neighbors, with their unmatched hospitality, didn’t just help us set up our new home and barn; they welcomed us into their world through the most amazing way possible – their food.
From the first bite of garden-fresh produce to the home-cooked meals that tasted like love on a plate, we realized that the simplicity and community spirit of Amish life are deeply intertwined with their culinary traditions. These are just some of the foods I’ve gotten to taste in the last year or so and the best ones their culture has to offer.
See Them Here: I Live In Amish Country and These Are Their Best Foods, Hands Down
10 Secrets From Amish Bakeries That Have Stood The Test Of Time
Amish bakeries offer a unique glimpse into a world where baking still relies on the hands, heart, and heritage. From hand-shaped loaves to pies baked in wood-fired ovens, these traditional methods tell a story of simplicity and community. Take a look at the techniques that Amish bakers have perfected over generations—techniques that might just inspire your next kitchen adventure.
Read it Here: 10 Secrets From Amish Bakeries That Have Stood The Test Of Time
Photos provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
