The Famous Cuisine of Ohio’s Amish Country
Were you aware that Ohio is home to the second highest number of Amish people in the United States, as reported by the World Population Review?
If you have a trip to Ohio in your plans, you will likely encounter individuals who continue to live their traditional way of life without being influenced by the chaos of contemporary society.
When you explore the beautiful countryside of northeast Ohio, you will be delighted by the scrumptious and genuine Amish cuisine available. This region is renowned for its locally-sourced food, such as specialty cheeses, homemade pies, high-quality meats, and delightful pastries.
If you continue reading, you will discover the offerings available at Ohio’s Amish country.
The Definition of Traditional Amish Cuisine
In Amish culture, food holds great significance as families come together around the dining table at least once daily. It is also the central focus when these welcoming and benevolent individuals gather.
Various events such as funerals, weddings, reunions, and auctions typically include a complete meal, sometimes even multiple ones. Upon the arrival of guests, the Amish women traditionally go to the kitchen to cook a plentiful spread of special dishes to honor the event.
The Amish community places great emphasis on agriculture and skilled work, adopting a practical approach to all tasks. Consequently, the majority of the components used in Amish cuisine are sourced from their own gardens or farms, and they display meticulous attention to detail when cooking each and every meal.
One of the key elements that Amish dining offers is a deep appreciation for the value of family. In Amish tradition, meal gatherings revolve around reconnecting and discussing the day’s happenings, celebrating successes, and enjoying quality time with cherished ones.
One can gain a deeper understanding of the Amish lifestyle by visiting one of the captivating museums in Ohio that are specifically designed to showcase their rich culture.
Participating in cooking is a significant aspect of maturing for girls, as they assist their female family members in the kitchen. As a result, the Amish community has successfully preserved their cooking customs, allowing us to savor them while visiting Ohio.
While the modern Amish community may partake in common dishes like tacos or lasagne on occasion, the majority of their diet consists of freshly harvested vegetables from their farms, with an emphasis on dairy, meat, and eggs as well.
Must-Try Amish Dishes During Your Visit to Ohio’s Countryside
The Amish community typically prepares meals to satisfy the hunger of their hard-working farmers who return home famished after a long day’s work. Therefore, the dishes are usually robust and satisfying, enhanced with various spices and herbs such as thyme, bay leaves, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Below are a few of the must-try classics when traveling to this region of the world:
Noodles with Butter
A common Amish dietary preference for carbohydrates often involves incorporating noodles as a primary side dish in various meals.
The noodles are created by hand by combining flour, eggs, salt, and water. Afterward, the dough is kneaded until it reaches a smooth texture, then cut into noodle shapes and left to air dry.
Once that step is completed, all that is left to do is to submerge the noodles in boiling water for a brief period until they reach the desired level of firmness. Afterwards, the noodles can be served alongside a variety of meat and vegetables.
The addition of butter elevates the flavor of these basic noodles. To make this dish, start by melting a cup of butter until it turns a golden brown color. Then, mix in broth and bouillon and bring the mixture to a boil. Finally, add the noodles and cook until tender.
The noodles are enhanced with a delectable nutty flavor, thanks to the addition of browned butter.
Breakfast Casserole
A breakfast casserole is more appealing to a broader variety of tastes compared to scrapple. It is made with a combination of eggs and chopped or grated ingredients, such as bacon, onion, hash brown potatoes, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and Swiss cheese.
The traditional Amish method of preparing an all-in-one meal involves frying the bacon and onion until they are fully cooked, and then combining them with the rest of the ingredients before baking the mixture in a casserole dish.
Shoofly Pie
Shoofly pie is a customary dessert served for breakfast in Amish settlements.
The ingredients used in this dish include molasses, water, baking soda, and flour, which are all mixed together and poured into a pie crust. The top layer is made of a mixture of flour, butter, sugar, and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.
After placing all the necessary ingredients, the dish is baked in the oven for 40 minutes, resulting in a deliciously gooey center and a crispy crumb topping.
Typically, it is best enjoyed when accompanied by a cup of black coffee to tone down the level of sweetness.
Amish Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls embody the concept of comfort food in a convenient form. This dish is uncomplicated, satisfying, and flavorful, making it ideal for chilly winter evenings in Ohio.
In order to prepare cabbage rolls, all you have to do is mix ground beef, cooked rice, onion, stock, egg, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper together. After that, divide the mixture into suitable portions and wrap them in cabbage leaves.
In order to prepare the cabbage rolls, one must assemble them in a baking dish, coat them with a basic tomato sauce, and cook them in the oven for 50 minutes. The sauce is made by boiling together a mixture of onion, celery, tomato paste, fresh tomatoes, honey, and lemon juice.
Preserved Beets
If the idea of beets being dull has crossed your mind, then you haven’t experienced the Amish’s pickled rendition of this veggie. The blend of sweetness, spiciness, heat, and tanginess is an ideal complement for tacos, salads, and various meat dishes.
To make this dish, all you need to do is mix together sliced or grated beets, sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar, and beet broth. It’s a simple recipe that anyone can follow.
Amish Chicken Corn Soup: Comfort Food at Its Finest
This nourishing soup is the epitome of comforting dishes. It is both wholesome and satisfying, with a delicious flavor that cannot be beat.
This dish is made from the ground up, using just-made roasted chicken, sweet corn, and a rich broth. Additional components consist of onions, celery, carrots, parsley, and dough rivels.
Chicken Pot Pies
Chicken pot pie is a satisfying and simple dish that combines fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes with chicken breasts and homemade noodles. It is both easy to prepare and comforting to eat, making it a perfect one-dish meal.
This dish is infused with comforting flavors thanks to the addition of bay leaf, parsley, salt, pepper, and butter.
Amish Bologna
The type of bologna commonly found among the Amish community, also referred to as Lebanon bologna, boasts a distinctive flavor profile of sweetness, smokiness, and sharpness.
Only beef is utilized as the meat in this particular type of bologna. The beef is finely ground, combined with salt, sugar, and spices, and then placed into casings for sausages.
Next, the meat is placed in a chilly smoking chamber for a maximum of 8 days, maintaining a temperature of 72°F and a humidity level of 85%. This process yields a delectable deli meat that pairs well with pretzels, bread, and cheese.
Homemade Apple Butter
Apple butter is comparable to apple sauce, but requires a longer period of cooking. This results in a glossy and caramelized spread made from a combination of sweet apples, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla.
This product makes a delightful addition to your breakfast toast, and it can also be utilized as a glaze for roasted meats.
Delicious Doughnuts
Donuts are a familiar treat to us all, but the Amish have a special approach to making them. Their traditional sweet treats are crafted with great care and time, as they spend hours kneading and resting the dough for every batch, creating each one from scratch.
A simple glaze is added to a tasty and traditional donut, resulting in a scrumptious and freshly made treat.
Chow-Chow
This delicious condiment complements a wide range of dishes. It brings a tangy and refreshing flavor, along with beneficial nutrients from various vegetables, to any meal.
The preparation known as chow-show involves combining a mixture of freshly chopped vegetables with a vinegar brine, and allowing it to sit for several hours. Commonly used vegetables in this dish include green and red tomatoes, beans, carrots, cauliflower, peas, and asparagus.
Gravy with Chipped Beef
This unique gravy, known for its unconventional name, is made by mixing bits of dried beef into a white sauce. A popular dish in Amish cuisine, it complements red bean salad, ham and cheese quiche, and scrambled eggs.
Best Places to Experience a Traditional Amish Dinner
The most ideal method to savor Amish dishes is by visiting one of the numerous specialized restaurants that offer these delicacies.
During your visit to Ohio, you can find a variety of beloved dishes on the menus of Amish restaurants. These are some of the top choices to consider trying while dining in Ohio.
Boyd and Wurthmann
Boyd and Wurthmann are the names of two individuals. For those visiting the Berlin Treehouses area, it’s a must to stop by this authentic Amish restaurant for a delicious meal. Originally a grocery store in the 1930s, this establishment has now gained a reputation as one of the top destinations in the town for experiencing traditional Amish cuisine.
At this place, you have the opportunity to savor popular breakfast options such as donuts, cinnamon rolls, and fritters starting early in the day. Alternatively, you can also have lunch and dinner at a later time.
A few popular items on the menu are salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and desserts.
Dutchman Restaurant
The restaurant’s name suggests its connection to the Dutch roots of the Amish community. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of delicious classic baked goods, along with a vast range of dishes in the breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet.
In addition to a variety of baked goods such as pastries, cookies, donuts, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and pies, the establishment also provides options for those with gluten allergies and a nutritious menu for individuals watching their weight.
Der Dutchman can be found in Walnut Creek, a place where one can still observe horses and buggies going by amidst a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, dotted with charming white farmhouses and red barns.
Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen
On the menu of this Amish specialty restaurant, you can find a variety of dishes such as fried mush, roast beef, juicy chicken, and homemade sweet rolls. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen serves authentic and delectable meals that honor the Amish heritage and customs.
Mrs. Yoder’s kitchen is located in the town of Mt. Hope and is conveniently situated near the livestock auction. Their dessert menu offers a variety of pies that feature a wide selection of fruits, as well as options like peanut butter and custard.
On auction days, Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen is a great spot to connect with the nearby farmers. This adds to the appeal of the restaurant as a gathering place for the community.
Restaurant on a Farm
A beloved spot for Berlin residents, the Farmstead Restaurant is a go-to for hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners featuring traditional home-cooked meals.
This popular eatery prides itself on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients in all of their meals. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and many customers rave about the meatloaf and chicken pot pie dishes at the Farmstead.
In conclusion, indulge in a variety of handcrafted desserts including homemade puddings, double-crust fruit tarts, and luscious cream pies.
Markets in Walnut Creek
The Walnut Creek Market is a must-visit destination for those looking for high-quality cheese, jams, jellies, farm-fresh chickens, and baked goods in Amish country. These staples can easily be found in the area, but the market offers the best selection.
Make sure not to miss out on the opportunity to visit Coblentz Chocolates and grab some amazing treats such as peanut butter buckeyes, pecan snappers, and a variety of top-notch truffles. These delectable gourmet bites, made by hand, will surely leave everyone wanting more.
