Pies are an Amish staple food
The Amish were originally from Switzerland and Germany, therefore food is influenced by these cuisines. They traditionally reject modern conveniences including electricity, however in the 21st century many Amish families have adopted it. Typically, cooking is done in a kerosene oven or on a wooden stove. Gas ovens are also used and cool boxes provide refrigeration. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Typical Foods
Pensylvanian food is typically heart; think soups, stews and meat dishes. Dumplings are a staple food, such as Bova Shankely, which can be compared to Polish pierogi and a savoury apple, dumpling and ham meal called Schnitz Un Knepp. Meat--filled pies are also an important part of the Amish diet, as well as sweet raised doughnuts. Fish is not as commonly eaten as meat, and vegetarians may struggle to find suitable meals.
Apples
Apples are not just a fruit, in fact they form the basis of many Amish dishes. Apple butter requires a day's preparation, therefore the making of apple butter would be a ritual in itself. Neighbours would collect the fruits and peel them before cooking over a stove towards the beginning of the day, the younger members of the family would then be in charge of stirring till night time. When ready it is spread over bread.
Salads
Much like German cuisine, the main ingredients of Amish salads tend to consist of potato, coleslaw and/or hot slaw. Cabbage, potatoes, eggs, bacon and sweet vinaigrette are typically employed, as the salads tend to be filling and on the stodgy side rather than light.
Meat Dishes
Amish meat dishes follow German and Dutch conventions; wiener schnitzel, otherwise known as veal escalope and beef or pork dumplings are popular recipes. Others include chicken or beef pot pie, meat pie and vegetables stuffed with meat. Amish cooking employs few spices but salt and pepper, onion and parsley are often used.
Tags: many Amish, meat dishes, salads tend, staple food