Pumpkin shows up in everything this time of year. I'm sure Taco Bell will next roll out a pumpkin taco. This whole pumpkin proliferation seems to be a relatively recent phenomena. I remember when I was a child, pumpkin was basically reserved for pie at Thanksgiving and my grandma would always seem to have a few untouched cans of Libbys pumpkin pie sitting in her pantry.
🎃The Amish & Pumpkins
Now, pumpkin has exploded and is used in almost everything it seems during the September - November season. And what happens is that by Thanksgiving everyone is sick of pumpkin, so the pies are a last hurrah for another year. But in the beginning, pumpkin is a welcome site, infusing its wonderful flavor everywhere. Ah, who doesn't like a pumpkin latte??
The Amish, however, have never viewed pumpkin as a passing fad. Pumpkin has always been an important part of the Amish autumn menu. Read all about the Amish and pumpkins here.
Yoder's Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida takes the cake...er pancake for most wonderful pumpkin pancakes. Man, these are good. If ever have a chance to stop by there during pumpkin season you won't be disappointed with these fluffy, pumpkiny wonders!
📋 Tips For Baking With Pumpkin
Use Canned Pumpkin Puree: Many Amish will use their home-canned pumpkin, but the average home baker should use canned pumpkin puree is the best option for baking. It is smooth and creamy, and it has a consistent flavor. Avoid using pumpkin pie filling, as it contains spices and sugar that may alter the taste of your baked goods.
Don't Overmix: Pumpkin is a delicate ingredient, so it is important not to overmix it. I'd not use a stand-mix with most pumpkin recipes, most Amish cooks would not!
Add spices: Amish cooking and baking tends toward the bland. That's not a slam, that's just the reality of Amish cooking and baking, it's delicious ,but not super seasoned. Pumpkin is a blank canvas, so you can add your favorite spices to give your baked goods more flavor. Some popular spices to add to pumpkin baked goods include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
📷 Picture of An Amish Pumpkin Patch!
Drive through Amish country this time of year and you'll see pumpkin patches like the above, fields full of flaming orange orbs ready to harvest!
📇 8 Amish Pumpkin Recipes
Homemade Pumpkin Torte: This is a super recipe, a layer of cream cheese-graham cracker crust topped with a rich pumpkin layer. Wonderful concoction. Check out homemade pumpkin torte.
Amish Pumpkin Dump Cake: This is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the seasonal taste of pumpkin, here's more about it: There are so many dump cake recipes out there and they are, as the name implies, easy....just basically dump and go. Some call them "Depression Cakes." This pumpkin dump cake with caramel and ice cream fits the bill for a quick, easy, and decadent dessert. And, as we have discussed on this site many times, it's not uncommon to find a harried Amish cook reaching for a box of cake mix to make something like this Amish Pumpkin Dump Cake.
Pumpkin Roll With Cream Cheese Filling: I love this recipe and I love to eat it when it's cold. Store this in the refrigerator and then take it out when you are ready to eat and slice it and enjoy it chilled. Click here for pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting.
Pumpkin Mini-Muffins: I loved making these recipes with my daughters a couple years ago, read more here: I really think these So-Good Pumpkin Mini-Muffins turned out super so I'm proud to post. Oh, and we ended up filling the cupcake tins half way and called them mini-muffins, but you can fill them up all the way and get full muffins, just bake a few minutes longer if you do that. Check out pumpkin mini-muffins.
Autumn Pumpkin Crunch: I love this recipe. This is an amazing recipe for Amish pumpkin crunch! Some people even call it Amish Pumpkin Crunch cake, because it does have qualities like a cake. This is one of my favorite pumpkin recipes! Check out Amish pumpkin crunch.
Traditional Amish Pumpkin Pie: Put this on your Thanksgiving menu, or here's an idea, have some this weekend! There's no rule that says pumpkin can only be enjoyed during Thanksgiving. Click here for traditional Amish pumpkin pie.
Amish Pumpkin Bars: These are so delicious. Check out Amish pumpkin bars!
Amish Pumpkin Spice Bread With Cream Cheese Frosting: This is an amazing, awesome pumpkin recipe, read more about this: An Amish woman in Michigan shared this recipe for homemade pumpkin spice bread with cream cheese frosting. My mother made some for a family gathering last week and it is really tasty. Click here for the Amish Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe.
Linda
Hey, I liked the sour milk pie!! The haters obviously don't have fresh raw milk to work with. This pie is wonderful for when it starts to get sour.
Kevin Williams
Yes, it is a actually a very good pie despite it's kind of unappetizing name!