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    Home » Recipes » Amish Side Dishes

    Amish Coleslaw....

    Published: Aug 29, 2012 · Updated: Feb 2, 2021 by Kevin Williams | 6 Comments

    Amish Coleslaw: cool, creamy  slaw is a staple in most Amish cook's summer food arsenal. There are as many variations on slaw as there is in Amish communities. An Amish man in Virginia was using his muscle to grind and shred thick heads of cabbage into what would eventually be made into slaw.  Here is what Wikipedia says about slaw:

    The term "coleslaw" arose in the 18th century as an anglicisation of the Dutch term "koolsla" ("kool" in Dutch sounds like "cole") meaning "cabbage salad".  The "cole" part of the word comes from the Latin colis, meaning "cabbage". 

    The 1770 recipe book The Sensible Cook: Dutch Foodways in the Old and New World contains a recipe attributed to the author's Dutch landlady, who mixed thin strips of cabbage with melted butter, vinegar, and oil. The recipe for coleslaw as it is most commonly prepared is fairly young, as mayonnaisewas invented during the mid-18th century.

    According to The Joy of Cooking (1997), raw cabbage is the only entirely consistent ingredient in coleslaw; the type of cabbage, dressing, and added ingredients vary widely. Vinaigrette, mayonnaise, and sour cream based dressings are all listed; bacon, carrots, bell peppers, pineapple, pickles, onions, and herbs are specifically mentioned as possible added ingredients.

     

    I'll admit that coleslaw is not my favorite dish, but I've developed a grudging taste for some variations and versions.  Amish culinary traditions definitely include a lot of slaw variations.  There are traditional creamy coleslaw, crunchy ones, liquidy ones, basically a slaw for every occasion.  Almost every Amish church gathering, wedding supper, funeral meal, and so on will include a slaw on the menu.  Often the cabbage comes right from a nearby garden.  Here is a favorite coleslaw recipe and below is a favorite from the Amish Cook archives.

    Amish Coleslaw....
     
    Print
    Ingredients
    • 8 cups green cabbage, shredded
    • 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
    • 5 cups shredded carrots
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    Instructions
    1. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded cabbage and carrots. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and stir until smooth and well–incorporated. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until the vegetables are evenly coated. Refrigerate the coleslaw overnight before serving.
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    « Homemade Amish Shoofly Pie Recipe
    A Peek Inside An Amish Bishop's House »

    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barb Wright

      August 30, 2012 at 10:45 am

      I love coleslaw!! I have ever since I can remember. The recipe you give is very similar to how I make it. I like the photo of the KingKutter. I have one of those..my grandkids like to cut potatoes for chips with it. I must admit,tho',I generally use my Kitchenaid. It is easier and faster!!

      Reply
    2. Jan Landwehr

      August 30, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      Happy Birthday, Kevin. Hope it was a good plain day.

      Reply
    3. Janet Conley

      August 30, 2012 at 8:44 pm

      Happy Birthday Kevin..... wish I were 40 again!!!!
      This is the same recipe as mine...... except I make 1/4 of this amount!!!!! And, like Barb, I use my 30 year old Cuisinart to do all the work
      Have a GREAT week-end.

      Reply
    4. SueAnn

      August 30, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      we have always used a wooden slaw cutter....with metal blades...very old....I think it is easier to use....than a grinder....and clean-up is easier too..I think...

      Reply
    5. Dianne

      August 31, 2012 at 6:59 am

      Happy Birthday Kevin and many more.

      Reply
    6. Kentuckylady717

      August 31, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      Happy Birthday Kevin.....what kind of cake is your wife making for you ?
      What is your favorite ?
      This coleslaw recipe is very similiar to the one I make, except I do my cabbage in the blender.....makes great coleslaw 🙂

      Reply

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    Kevin Williams - The Amish Editor Amish Cook Column

    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

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