Amish Kitchens

At every, or nearly every, Amish home, there is a kitchen garden. These kitchen gardens provide a source for fresh greens and vegetables, and herbs, all through the summer and into the harvest.

The home gardens are also a great source for heritage seeds, since the Amish wives save seeds from yearly gardens for later planting. Rare Seeds

As interaction with the outer society increases, the Amish acquaintance with foods of other cultures increases too. The variety of herbs and spices increases in home gardens, and still you'll find that Amish food is plain and simple.

You can find information on kitchen gardens here.

Heirloom Seeds

The Amish always, always, always buy locally FIRST. Local farmers provide meat, cheese, milk, eggs and produce. The community knows the farmers, knows how this food is raised and processed, and knows its freshness. If a family isn't growing their own beef cattle, they raise something else.

This is a critical point, and important for everyone to else to apply for the strength of America's economy. New Farmer's Market Directory & Info

Buying locally keeps the money in the local economy longer than buying imported products. It enables the local farmers to earn a living and continue to provide healthy food locally, important especially if there comes to be a national transportation crisis. For more information see: National Farmers Markets Directory

Amish kitchens themselves are the height of simplicity. Mrs. C, who is so gracious to share her life with me, has a spotless, huge, and simple kitchen.

She cans her own food, always, because with 7 children they can't afford to go without a garden.

As I build this lense, I will be giving you Amish kitchen techniques and canning/preservation recipes.

She uses a propane powered stove, which keeps them off the power grid but also provides enough fuel to do a LOT of cooking.