Pennsylvania Dutch Recipes

Most of my ancestors were Pennsylvania Dutch of German descent. They were primarily farmers who came to this country, often to escape religious persecution in Europe. The cooking reflects both the German heritage and the hearty foods associated with the physical work involved in farming. Women spent a lot of time preparing three hearty meals a day. Preserving, such as canning and drying, was a necessity to help get through the winter months, and many recipes using preserved items are still popular.

There are two misconceptions about the Pennsylvania Dutch that require explanation. One is caused by the use of the term "Dutch", which leads many to believe that the people came from Holland. In fact, the term came from the word "Deutsch", which is the German word for "German". Another thought is that all Pennsylvania Dutchmen are Amish. The Amish community represents only a small portion of the people who settled in eastern Pennsylvania during the German migration of the 18th century. The majority of the Pennsylvania Dutch are not Amish. Although the foods are very similar because of the German heritage, there are differences based on the influences of the regions where they settled. Most of the recipes listed below came from generations of my family. A few others came from my mother or me. All are of German origin or traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. There are many more personal recipes at Teri's Kitchen which can be accessed through the Recipe Files or the links on this page.