Western Amish and News

OOPS, Had a wrong link in today's e-newsletter, if you are looking for Amish in Pebble Beach and western recipes, click here.

By Kevin Williams

We have an interesting slate of stories in the news today, many of them Pennsylvania Dutch more than Amish. As some of the articles explain, and as I've explained before, "Pennsylvania Dutch" (more actually called Pennsylvania German) is an umbrella term which includes the Amish and some Mennonites but also other groups of Lutherans, Catholics, Moravians, and others that have their roots in Germany and settled in the Keystone State.

So, first stop:

This new book takes a contemporary look at Pennsylvania German culture. You can buy a copy through our Amazon affiliate link here (the book is pricey)

PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS -AN INTERPRETIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA: I would think this new book would be fascinating if you are interested in American cultural subgroups because this takes a look at where the culture is TODAY, so many studies of the Pennsylvania Germans are older and seemingly flash-frozen in the mid-20th century. So this is exciting, I might have to find my way to get my hands on a copy! Click here to read more.

Homemade chow chow is a Pennsylvania German speciality

GOT $175.00? Man, if you have $175.00 to spare and are near New York City and you love Pennsylvania Dutch food then run on over today to the James Beard House where they will having a menu today that features items like Ham Loaf, Head Cheese with Pepper Cabbage and Porcini Mustard on Mustard Crackers, and Rabbit Croquettes with Chowchow.....whoa...that sounds amazing...I think....Click here to read more.

Related Recipe: You'll have to figure out the rabbit croquettes yourself, I can't help you there,but here is a homemade Amish chow chow recipe!

PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN HOT DOGS - In Berks County, the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch/German culture, hot dogs are big business, click here to read this interesting article (admittedly I don't do a ton of hot dog shopping, but in my part of Ohio the hot dog case seems dominated by Kahn's and Oscar Meyer with some Eckrich, it must be fun to have some local brands to pick from like in Berks County (and, yes, Cincinnatians, I know, Kahn's is local to me) Click here to read the article.

Amish buggy operators in Auburn, Kentucy are being cited for not putting diapers on their horses.

HORSE POOP UPDATE: Not sure where I tastefully stick in this story in post dominated by food but two Amish men in Kentucky were found guilty of violating Auburn, Kentucky's requirement that horses where a "diaper" when in town. Ridiculous waste of taxpayer money. Let the rain wash away the poop. Click here to read the article.

HEAVENLY ANGEL FOOD CAKE AND TIPS! Angel food cakes are common in Amish kitchens but the recipes often lack much instruction, chances are the Amish cook was taught by her mother or grandmother how to make the cakes and they just know how to do it. For the rest of us this can be an intimidating cake to make. Click here for a great article this week about to make an angel food cake and some basic recipes for it!