6 Recipes From the Ethridge, Tennessee Amish

By Kevin Williams

Yesterday I posted a link to an article in the Nasvhille Tennessean newspaper about the Amish community at Ethridge, Tennessee.

So I thought today it'd be fun to look at 5 recipes that capture that community's cooking.

I have visited Amish settlements all over the USA and Canada and I have to say that Ethridge was among the most insular/conservative that I've been to.  It doesn't make the top of my most conservative community list, but it's close.   The cooking style among the Ethridge Amish is very traditional Amish infused with a hint of southern.  Sorghum, for instance, is a mainstay in recipes here

Signs in Ethridge point the way to Amish businesses...

If you ever have a chance to visit Ethridge, you'll see Amish farms with signs advertising homemade sorghum for sale in much the same way you'll see eggs or maple syrup elsewhere.

And a word to the wise: Ethridge is HOT during the summer, it's a classic humid southern heat.

TENNESSEE BUTTERSCOTCH PIE:  This is a classic, traditional, cool, creamy butterscotch pie with just a hint of sorghum molasses.  Wow, it really turns it into a Tennessee treat! Click here for the recipe.

Scratch-made biscuits with Ethridge sorghum

SOUTHERN GAL BISCUITS:  This recipe came to me from a talented young Amish cook in Tennessee...she was/is very traditional, she didn't want my camera anywhere near her, not even to photograph her food which is a little unusual.  Click here for the delicious recipe.

ETHRIDGE PORK N BEANS:  The same cook gave me this, I never got to try hers but, wow, I bet they are good! Click here.

TENNESSEE PEACH PUDDING:  Mmmmm, this was a delicious one! Click here.

OAT BRAN BREAD WITH A TENNESSEE TWIST:  Try this one!  Amazingly good.  The molasses is just a hint, you don't notice it much, but what you do notice simply makes the bread pleasant...Click here.

TENNESEE AMISH GREEN TOMATO PIE -   Amazing.....click here.