Amish menus have a seasonal rhythm to them. Winters bring out the heavy meatloaf, pot roasts, thick gravies, and piles of potatoes. As the weather warms, spring suppers begin to lighten up a bit, and by the time summer arrives, Amish suppers often reflect the bounty of one's garden. And heavy winter meats are replaced by lighter cuts and simpler suppers.
🏐 Amish Summer Life
Amish life is different during the summer in a few ways. First, the weather is warmer, which means that Amish people can spend more time outdoors. They often work in their gardens, go swimming, or play games. Fishing is popular during Amish summers. And while many people think of the Amish as severe and austere, good ol' fashioned some play is popular. Not uncommon to see burly bearded Amish men having water balloon fights with their children in the summer. Softball, volleyball, biking, and picnics are also popular pastimes.
Second, the days are longer, which means that Amish people have more time to do things outside of work. They may spend time visiting friends and family, going to church, or attending community events.
Third, the summer is a time for festivals and celebrations. Amish communities often hold barn raisings, weddings, and other events during the summer months. These events are a way for Amish people to come together and celebrate their culture.
🌻 Summer vs. Winter
Here are some specific examples of how Amish life is different during the summer:
- Farming: Amish farmers do most of their planting and harvesting in the spring and fall, but they still have some work to do in the summer. They may spend time weeding, watering, and harvesting crops.
- Chores: Summer chores are different than winter chores. They are hotter and revolve around the garden, fruit trees, hay, and farming.
- Leisure activities: Amish people enjoy spending time outdoors in the summer. They may go swimming, fishing, or hiking. They may also play games, such as volleyball or horseshoes.
- Community events: Amish communities often hold festivals and celebrations in the summer. These events are a way for Amish people to come together and celebrate their culture.
Overall, Amish life is different during the summer in a few ways. The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and there are more opportunities for outdoor activities. Amish people also enjoy attending festivals and celebrations during the summer months.
🥣 Amish Summer Recipes
It's not that there are specific seasonal recipes in Amish kitchens. It's just that some dishes more logically lend themselves to summer. When corn is fresh and off the cob, it starts making an appearance in many summer recipes. Tomatoes and zucchini are plentiful, so they make an appearance on menus. I mean, many recipes - Amish classics - like cinnamon rolls, chicken casserole or pie, show up year-round. But some Amish supper recipes seem to show up almost exclusively in summer. Let's check them out!
🚜 5 Favorite Amish Farmhouse Summer Suppers
Scalloped Corn: Corn is a staple of summer on Amish farms and there are so many ways to enjoy it: in puddings, salads, sides, and more. Man, I love a scalloped corn. I could eat it as a stand-alone meal and many Amish during summer. This delicious-sounding summer recipe comes to us from Gloria Yoder's Mom, Dorcas Raber.
Summer Tomato Pie: Ruby red tomatoes, plump and juice, weigh down gardens and are a delight of every Amish gardener. These tomatoes find their way into salads, sauces, soups, and even amazing supper creations like this delicious Summer Tomato Pie!
Best-Ever Zucchini Patties: This is a recipe from the Amish Cook and here is what she has to say about them: Zucchini Patties were always a treat and made just perfect even though Mom did not even go by a recipe. I don’t have that touch just yet, so I opt to go by a recipe, which I’ll give to you for a try. When you do bite into it, think of Daniel and the many patties he ate on a sandwich, topped with a slice of cheese and tomato to top it off. And no, his sandwich never did have cucumbers on it. To this day none of the children (besides Julia) knows that Daddy didn’t like fresh cucumbers! He wanted his children to eat them unbiased on the fact that it just wasn’t something he enjoyed. He was always happy for me as the first baby cukes were big enough for me to chop down, but he would not bother to eat them. Click here for Best-Ever Zucchini Patties!
Easy Ham Casserole: Ham is a meat that is enjoyed year-round and you'll find ham on the Amish supper table in winter as well as summer, but in terms of casseroles a ham casserole is popular during summer because it's a little lighter than its heavier chicken cousins. So click here to check out a favorite summer casserole
Creamy Amish Vegetable Soup: Soup is not something we often think of as a summer staple. Soups are more thought of as a hearty, warm winter food, but when the veggies are coming straight from the garden, well, there's nothing more summery than soup. Check out this comforting, creamy summer veggie soup!
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