07/30/2007

The Amish Cook

Catching up with readers after vacation

By Lovina Eicher
The Amish Cook
Read past Amish Cook columns here

Life is back in full swing again this week after my husband Joe went back to work from vacation.

Also, our five oldest children are leaving every day for 2&1/2 to three hours of swimming lessons. Elizabeth is catching on fast and can swim short distances.

I know that even a good swimmer can drown but I feel safer knowing they can swim. I never learned to swim and that makes me more scared of deep water. Sometimes Joe takes the children fishing with his boat. Even though they wear life jackets, I'll be more relaxed knowing they can swim.

We continue to celebrate birthdays this month. On July 14, we marked Benjamin's eighth birthday and on July 24, it was Joseph's turn. On Sunday, it was Joe and my 14th anniversary. The years fly by, and it is hard to believe we have been married that long already.

I finally got a card out to sister Leah and Paul's son Ben, age 24. He had spent a few days in the hospital for pancreatitis. I haven't heard too much about how he is getting along but hope he is improving.

We are invited to brother Amos' and Nancy's daughter Susan's wedding on Thursday. This is the third of dad and mom's grandchildren getting married.

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I will try to answer some recent reader mail in today's column.

A reader asked what kind of sewing machine I use. It is a treadle sewing machine, which has a variety of stitches. I can also make button holes or sew buttons.

Also, a reader asked if the Amish were allowed to have buttons on their clothes. Yes, depending on which community a person lives in. In the one we moved from, the men and boys had "snaps” or "hooks and eyes” on their shirts, but not buttons. Here in this community and all the surrounding Amish communities, the men and boys have buttons on their shirts. We don't have zippers in this community; we instead put buttons on the men's and boys' pants so there are always plenty of buttons that need to be sewed on.

A reader was puzzled about why her dandelion green salad tastes bitter. Always use dandelion greens that do not have the flowers yet, otherwise they will taste bitter. The best dandelion greens are those first ones you see coming through. Hopefully, this will solve your problem and you will enjoy them as much as we do next spring.

I also wanted to clarify for some readers who asked about my strawberry freezer jam recipe. The jam can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Also, you can use the fruit of your choice with the same recipe for a different flavor of jam.

As I wind up this letter I would like to once again thank you readers for your encouraging letters and the birthday cards. It was all greatly appreciated.

It is your encouragement that gives me the strength to take time out of my busy life to write this letter each week. May God bless you dearly.

Here is another great way to use up your zucchini if yours are producing as much as ours are. It is also something easy to make, and our family loves them.

Zucchini Patties

• 3 c. peeled and shredded zucchini
• 3 eggs
• Salt to taste

Just before you're ready to start frying, mix the above three ingredients. Drop by tablespoon onto preheated buttered frying pan. Mash and shape into patties and fry until golden brown on each side. Top with a slice of cheese and serve. We like to eat these just like this or also on a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and onions.

Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/columns/amish.