Amish Country Blog

Ahh, Halloween is on Saturday.  I have 500 pieces of candy, and I’m still not sure that it’s going to be enough.  Saturday is the big day, and it makes me nervous that there will be twice as many kids out as usual. This year,  I have out a half bale of hay and 4 pumpkins, and that’s the most festive I’ve been for Halloween in years.

Here are a few events that are going on in Amish Country to help get you in the Halloween mood.

Thursday, October 29
The Elkhart Environmental Center annual Monster Hike.  Bring your children out to trick or treat for Halloween with nature’s monsters. They will see live creepy crawlers. Costumes are encouraged. A $3 donation is appreciated. Please call 293-5070 to register.  It starts at 11am.

Friday, October 30
Hall of Heroes, the largest Superhero Museum in the world has been taken over by Doctor Doom and his fellow nefarious colleagues.  Experience this Halloween Extravaganza as seen from the villain’s point of view.  From 7pm to 10pm, admission is $5.

Trick or Treat on Main Street in Goshen.  Starting at Noon, you can visit participating Main Street businesses and do your trick or treating, and shopping all at once.  It’s a good way to get your little ones ready for the big day.

Saturday, October 31
American Countryside Farmers Market will give treats to all kids who dress in costume.  There will be games, clown, balloons, and entertainment.  It will be a fun time for all those who want to celebrate a little earlier in the day.

For more events, check out our events page at AmishCountry.org/events

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

This contest is over. Check back soon for our next giveaway!

A $25 Gift Certificate to the American Countryside Farmers Market Could Be Yours!

Each month this summer we’re giving away a special prize to someone who posts a comment on this blog post. This month’s prize is a $25 gift certificate to the American Countryside Farmers Market located in Elkhart, IN.

Beneath the beams of this 51,000-square-foot Amish built barn, you find farm fresh produce, hormone free meats, Amish baked goods, melt in your mouth cheeses, spices, flavored oils and more. The second floor features artisan shops, gift vendors and a state-of-the-art test kitchen.

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
State Road 19 & County Road 26 / Elkhart
AmericanCountryside.us/877.782.7386

Update! Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Today is the last day to enter so tell your friends and family. Multiple entries do not increase your odds of winning.

Summer. Just saying the word has me relaxed and thinking of sunshine. Amish Country has summer written all over it. I looked down my tree lined street last week, all the trees now have leaves, and everything is green. Planting was a little later than usual, thanks to additional May showers, but the fields now have corn and soybeans growing. There are flowers abloom everywhere, and many places, like Linton’s Enchanted Gardens and the American Countryside Farmers Market have a great selection of hanging plants.

The weather is warming, letting us know that it’s time for many visitors to come. Today, there is a couple with their little dog sitting in the Visitor’s Center, reading the paper, and enjoying their time. How long has it been since you’ve been away from home, and just enjoyed the time that you have to relax, and de-clutter your mind from the day to day grind of your life? Amish Country is a place for relaxing and enjoying life at a slower pace.

I can’t wait to see all of you this summer.

Mindy-Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributer and Visitor Center Travel Specialist

It is chili time in Northern Indiana Amish Country. The American Countryside Farmer’s Market is having a chili cook-off this weekend, and I feel the need to talk chili.

I brought out my dutch oven, and thought about what I wanted to make. I usually have the same two ingredients in my chili, no matter what I’m trying to do with it. I love onions and garlic. I will always have onions and garlic in my chili. Then, it’s a matter of how prepared of I am for my pot, or if I just decided in a minute that I wanted to make chili. I love adding beef, and haven’t made any recipe with pork or chicken yet. I have used wine, and mushrooms, and turned it into curry, and have made a more pot roast like dish than chili, but it always starts out the same, with onions and garlic. I love chopping my veggies and meat, although sometimes I’m more in a hurry than others, and instead of chopped pieces we get julienned pieces. Sometimes, I use fresh tomatoes, sometimes, I use canned. It all turns out well. My husband, who hated chili until I cooked it for him, loves it when he sees my pot. I can be sure that it will all be eaten in a few days, even though I start out with hopes of freezing some for later.

Mina, my 17 month old, hasn’t had soup or chili yet, but I give her a bowl and a wisk to “help” me out when I’m taking the time to make my pot. She gets bored after 3 minutes, and then goes and plays with other things that are more interesting. But soon, I’m sure that when she’s older, she’ll have memories of onions and garlic, and wonder what why she loves chili so much.

So make a batch of chili, and share it with friends, neighbors or family. Don’t forget the cornbread–I’ve also put that in the pot once too, not sure I’ll do that again, but it does give it a different texture. So while the temperature is dropping, make sure you go to the Farmer’s Market this weekend and see what chili makers are putting in their chili, and try the chili that vendors are selling to see what flavors and taste you like.  Hopefully, you’ll come home with a need to make chili.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

My crazy uncle lives in the mountains in Colorado.  It’s beautiful, it’s isolated, and it’s cold-and gets very cold. Then comes the snow. Last year, there was a record snowfall on my uncle’s mountains.  Snowfalls that keep a human being locked up for three or four days just in his house. It makes him practical.  He lives on everything canned, frozen and powdered.  It also makes him wish for things, like powdered cheddar cheese - and he wants 10 lbs of it.  He can’t find any in Colorado, so he sent a message out to my dad and it’s been relayed to my sister and me. 

The great thing about Northern Indiana is how diverse the market is here. We have people who make everything from food to furniture. We can find butchers and farmers who grow thier own food, and sell it to us. We have a mill where we can buy local flour. We have artist who make pottery, clothes, quilts and woodwork. This is what I like best about the American Countryside Farmer’s Market. I can find a sampling of what is best in our area in one place.  I can go on the first floor and find food. Butchers who give us hormone and antibiotic free meats, fresh bread, olive oils, vinegars, pies, cheese, ice cream, popcorn, pretzels and fresh produce. On the second floor, I find our artisans. People who make and design their own furniture, make their own clothes and accessories, designers who give us unique kids’ apparel, and quilts. Beautiful quilts located across form the funiture so you can imagine your new bed with its’ new quilt.

But I was amazed when I found a little booth that sold powdered cheeses. The woman and the girl smiled when I said that my uncle wanted powdered cheddar cheese. I was sure I was going to have to buy it 1/2 lb bags when I asked if I could have 10lbs of it. Sure, they could get 10 lbs of it for me. They could even ship it out to him.  So this winter, my crazy uncle will get his powdered cheddar cheese, and next summer, when he’s craving something new, I know where to start looking.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributer

It is Christmastime in Amish Country and Santa is stopping by to find out what all the good little boys and girls have on thier Wish Lists.

Santa will be visiting Shipshewana this weekend on Saturday morning. He will also be at American Countryside Farmers Market on Friday evening and Saturday during the day.

Sleigh Rides are available as well in both locations. Whether is snow or not you can get out there and enjoy a brisk ride in a horse drawn sleigh to catch a bit of the Christmas spirit. You may also catch a glimpse of Santa’s Reindeer, get your photo taken and feed them a few reindeer treats.

What is American Countryside?
Fresh from the Farm FUN on a Grand Scale!

Abundance on an almost unimaginable scale awaits you at Elkhart County’s newest attraction. The extraordinary dream that started over 15 years ago is now a reality! American Countryside Farmers Market is open for Business, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00am-3:30pm. Centrally located and easy to find just off of SR 19 between Elkhart and Wakarusa, visit AmishCountry.org for area maps.Over 400+ Vendor spots are filled with quality products including fresh foods, locally made crafts, specialty products and healthy living items. The market will feature vendors from all over the county showcasing the rich Amish heritage of farming and wood crafting. An international food court will offer a variety of yummy treats and the culinary director will offer fun interactive demonstrations of seasonal recipes in their exquisite test kitchen.

Be part of the fun! Visit our Website for travel information, local events and nearby lodging. Have you been to this amazing attraction? Post a comment below to share your story.

Fresh Spinach and Strawberry Salad:
From Culinary Director Charmene Skillmen, American Countryside

1/3 cup sherry vinegar
2/3 cup honey
2 TBS lemon juice
Dressing: combine the vinegar, sugar and lemon juice in a small non-reactive saucepan.
Heat over medium heat until the honey dissolves.

Remove pan from heat, let cool.1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
Whisk in the sea salt, pepper, olive oil, mustard and paprika until combined.

Set aside.

6-12 ounces fresh spinach
1 can artichoke hearts, drain and cut into quarters
2-3 cups strawberries, stemmed and sliced
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, artichoke hearts and strawberries.2/3 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
When you are ready to serve the salad, add some of the dressing and the pecans, toss.

This is a simple and delicious salad my kids love. You can make substitutions as needed with slight flavor changes. The sherry vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar or your favorite flavored vinegar. Some veggies that might be nice if added could be steamed asparagus or blanched green beans. You can also add different fresh fruit and lettuces. Be creative. Use what is in season.

This recipe will serve 6-12 people depending on the amount of spinach you add. You can adjust the amounts to fit your crowd. Do you have a great Strawberry recipe to share? Post it below in our comments.