By Kevin Williams
I often do "Amish Amazon" posts, rarely Amish Etsy (I don't get a commision on purchases from Etsy). But Etsy is where the really fun, authentic stuff is, more so than Amazon. Here are some things I found:
I took this photo of The Amish Door sign, but am still cursing myself for not going in!
AMISH DOOR CHERRY FRITTERS: SIGH, I have never been to The Amish Door in Wilmot, Ohio. That almost changed a month or so ago when I drove right by there. But it was growing dark and I was wrapping up a trip and when I am in Amish areas I generally steer clear of the "touristy" places, preferring to go buy fresh eggs from a farm or discover an Amish bakery tucked away in an outbuilding. I drove by The Amish Door and then about a mile later I felt a tugging and drove back....it looked like a warm, inviting place, not a sprawling tourist trp, but then I just thought better of it and went on. And I've been cursing myself ever since. I should have stopped in, just so I could see the place, write about it, etc.
But, you can buy their Amish-made (I am sure they have Amish bakers as employees, I'd be shocked if they didn't) items on Etsy.....here is a small selection:
Amish Door Cherry Fritters
CHERRY FRITTERS: Wow, these sound amazing.
AMISH DOOR CHEESE BREAD: Amazing.
SALLIE LAPP'S AMISH TREATS: This is a small cookbook published in 1981. In my experience, any time you get a cookbook from the early 80s or earlier it is closer in time to when some of the most authentic, age-old Amish recipes were still in widespread use. So I bet there are some real treasures in here. The book's description:
• Signed by the author
• Copyright 1981.
• From the Foreward, "The recipes in this book come from the handwritten notebook of Sallie Lapp, wife of Alvin Lapp." Member of the Old Order Amish Church.
• Sample recipes:
Laze Daisy Oatmeal Cake
Dried Snitz Pie
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
• Mostly breads and sweets.
• 9 ½ x 6 ½ inches. 47 pages
• Pen and ink drawing depicting Amish life.
• Condition: Very good vintage condition. Light signs of wear on the cover, The pages show little to no kitchen use.
Wow, I'd buy it just for the lazy daisy oatmeal cake. Click here to grab a copy.
MENNONITE WOMEN OR NUNS? How odd, you'd think the person would know before posting it for sale. What do you think? Just from my experience, I don't get a Mennonite vibe. The dishes are too fancy. And while tablecloths are not taboo, nor are they typical in a conservative Mennonite home. Yet, having grown up Catholic, I'm not so sure these are nuns....anyone have any ideas?
HUTTERITES: The Hutterites are the lesser-known "third branch" of the Anabapist tree, closely connected to the Amish and Mennonites,historically. For someone who wants to learn about them without immersing yourself in a War & Peace sized book, this slim volume seems like a great option.
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