The strawberry patch is a spring staple on Amish farms, producing delicious, juicy globes of red that can find their way into pies, breads, jams, and all kinds of desserts. Across the southern United States, strawberry season begins in later winter and slowly marches north. But strawberry season doesn't stop at the border, Canada's strawberry season is in June and July.
🍓 The Amish and Strawberries
It's not uncommon at all to find a "strawberry patch" on an Amish farmstead. Strawberries are easy to grow, come up annually, and kids love picking through the plants to find the ruby red treasure. The Amish often cultivate them for personal consumption, as well as for sale at local markets or stands.
Other Amish and strawberry thoughts:
Versatility: Strawberries can be used in jams, jellies, spreads, sauces, breads, and pastries.
Inexpensive: Easy to grow a strawberry patch to provide with fruit year after year.
Kid-favorite: Children usually enjoy the taste and visual of juicy big red berries and they are packed with nutrients so they are a way to get some vitamins and minerals.
📋 Strawberry Science
Many Amish have their strawberry patches down to a science, with some of these tried and true tips:
Hydrate: for big, juicy berries make sure they get enough rainwater or garden hose water. Dry weather equal dry berries.
Soil: Strawberries grow best in a deep, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter, which is why many Amish throw food scraps and other compost directly onto the soil. The soil should be well-drained, we want the berries wet, but not drenched.
Light: The site should receive full sunlight and have a gradual slope
🍰 Five Favorite Amish Strawberry Recipes
This selection of recipes showcases the amazing versatility of strawberries in Amish kitchens.
STRAWBERRY JELLO CAKE: This is amazing dessert, the recipe is old and in a non print-friendly format, I haven't updated it yet, but the recipe itself is super. Check out strawberry jello cake here!
HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY BREAD: Check out this amazing spring staple, which tastes amazing and sings spring. More about the bread: But whenever your strawberry season is, or even if you just get them at the supermarket any time of year, strawberries are such a versatile fruit… Amish homemakers blend strawberries into puddings, jams, cakes, and breads. This Amish strawberry bread has amazing flavor and is a great quick bread recipe. Click here for the recipe.
STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB CRUNCH: This recipe is just amazing, the tartness of rhubarb combined with the sweetness of strawberry under a crunchy crust. Click here.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CUPS: Spring bliss! Click here.
PRIZE-WINNING BAKED STRAWBERRY PIE: A sure sign of spring! Read a bit more: Strawberries are popular not only because of the taste, they are also just so easy to grow. And the whole family can make an event out of picking strawberries. The youngest Amish children get involved in picking strawberries, harvesting them, and washing them. Often you'll see the youngest Amish children hauling those empty plastic ice cream pails out to the strawberry patch for harvesting. Click here for the recipe.
Leave a Reply