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The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine

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Published in As American As Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore And Fakelore Of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine

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As American as Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine

by William Woys Weaver

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	327 pages

Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is a unique and flavorful blend of German, Swiss, and American culinary traditions. It is known for its hearty dishes, such as schnitz and knepp, and its sweet treats, such as shoofly pie and funnel cakes.

The Pennsylvania Dutch are a group of people who immigrated to the United States from Germany and Switzerland in the 17th and 18th centuries. They settled in Pennsylvania and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region, where they brought their own culinary traditions with them.

Over time, Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine has evolved to include influences from other cultures, such as the English, Irish, and Italians. Today, it is a distinct and beloved part of American cuisine.

Foodlore

Foodlore is the traditional knowledge and beliefs about food that are passed down from generation to generation. It includes stories, recipes, and customs that are associated with particular foods.

Pennsylvania Dutch foodlore is rich and varied. It includes stories about the origins of different dishes, as well as beliefs about the nutritional and medicinal properties of certain foods.

For example, one popular Pennsylvania Dutch folktale tells the story of how schnitz was invented. According to the tale, a group of farmers were working in their fields when they came across a flock of wild pigeons. They killed the pigeons and cooked them for dinner. The pigeons were so delicious that the farmers decided to name the dish "schnitz," which means "snipe" in German.

Another Pennsylvania Dutch folktale tells the story of how knepp was invented. According to the tale, a group of women were making bread when they accidentally added too much flour to the dough. The dough was too thick to knead, so the women decided to cook it in boiling water instead. The resulting dish was so delicious that the women decided to name it "knepp," which means "clump" in German.

Fakelore

Fakelore is false or inaccurate information about food that is often passed down as tradition. It can include stories, recipes, and customs that are not based on any real evidence.

Pennsylvania Dutch fakelore is relatively rare, but it does exist. For example, one common Pennsylvania Dutch fakelore belief is that eating scrapple will give you good luck.

There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, but it is still a popular belief among some Pennsylvania Dutch people.

Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a unique blend of German, Swiss, and American influences, and it is known for its hearty dishes and sweet treats.

Pennsylvania Dutch foodlore is also rich and varied, and it includes stories, recipes, and customs that are associated with particular foods. While some of these stories and beliefs are based on real evidence, others are simply fakelore.

Regardless of their accuracy, Pennsylvania Dutch foodlore and fakelore are an important part of the region's culinary culture. They help to give Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine its unique flavor and appeal.

As American as Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine

by William Woys Weaver

4.5 out of 5