An Amish-ly Good Time

I always amaze myself at the treasure trove of activities, people and places that exist in my everyday surroundings in Bucks County. It's as if one day, the wallpaper on my wall looks like the same old boring pattern that I've known my whole life. Then, i catch a glimpse of it in a different light…BAM! It's new and exciting all over again (p.s. sorry for conjuring up Emeril Lagasse in that last sentence). I've somehow forgotten that the wallpaper is made of a rich tapestry.

I was going about my day a few Saturdays ago running errands and such that I didn't have time to accomplish during the week. Gym, bank, dry cleaning…as I was driving through Newtown, which I do several times weekly, I found myself subconsciously turning into the parking lot where the Newtown Amish Farmers' Market sits. I think to myself “I CANNOT believe that I have never been to this market!” I didn't need anything in particular, and I had some time to spare, so what better way to spend it than to eyeball some good eats?

As I approached the door, I noticed the list of participating vendors at the market: Aaron's Country Meats, Akiko Sushi, Barbie's Soft Pretzels, Dos Amores, Drinks And More, Dutch Treats, Just Loaf'n, King's Cheese, King Of Falafel, Klinghoffer Farms, Madara's Seafood, Nathali's Vegetarian & European Cuisine, Pappardelle's Pasta, Reihl's Bakery, Smucker's Salads, Smucker's Sheds and Zook's BBQ Barn. Hmm… not all were very Pennsylvania Dutch sounding. I proceeded through doors to get to the bottom of the mystery. The market is set up like a giant food court; vendors line the perimeter as well as the inner circle of the building, leave a circular lane for shoppers (or a “food track,” if you will). There is also seating, not unlike a food court, which allow hungry shoppers to dig in on demand. I did a lap. Then I did 2 laps. I really wanted to get a feel for the market before my wallet got the better of me. The truth is, not all vendors are from Dutch country. The meat, cheese, pretzel & seafood vendors, from what I can remember now, were definitely manned by the familarly-garbed Amish. The rest seemed to be renting space to capitalize on the droves of food love people that the PA Dutch attract every Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Nevertheless, each vendor seemed to provide many offerings that the regular supermarket may not have.

Though the meats and fish were tantalizing, I had just completed a grocery run. So I made a few spontaneous purchase. The first one, “Cappuccino Peanut Butter.” I thought maybe this would provide me a delicious alternative to attaining a caffeine buzz (my attraction to anything cappuccino is no surprise to anyone who knows me). In fact, it is quite a wonderful alternative to your regular peanut butter. There were many other varieties as well, including hazelnut peanut butter and almond butter. I had a great time trying out each one.

Then… I found King's Cheese. Sweet older Amish ladies were working that stand. And man, I am ALWAYS a sucker for cheese! The prices seemed good, so I picked out a couple…OK more than a couple. I chose a Havarti, a horseradish cheese and a Parmesan. I know, I know, Parmesan from the Amish? My husband doesn't like domestic Parmesan, much less Amish. I've tested it, he can taste the difference. But I was willing to see if this was any good. I usually buy Cabot or some other type of horseradish cheese, it's pretty easy to find at the store. But what was interesting was that their horseradish cheese was cut into square slices, which I don't usually find. Burgers with horseradish cheese? Yes please! As I was gathering my purchase, I noticed a some plastic containers filled with hand-churned butter. Now usually, I'm an olive oil girl, but the butter was tantalizing me. Images of Paula Dean and Julia Child, and their love affairs with butter flew through my mind.

Then I got ready to go. But those Pennsylvania Dutch, those shrewd business people that they are, they station their best stuff RIGHT on the way out. As I tried to escape, the scent and the sight of the Amish pretzels took hold of me. I am not typically a pretzel person, but people, these pretzels but Auntie Anne's to shame. And they were cheap! I believe they were 3 for $5. Who can pass up a deal like that?

Holy Grail of pretzel's batman!!! Sweet and somehow still salty, please do yourself a favor and DO NOT put anything on this pretzel. No mustard, or peanut butter, cheese or anything else you may usually put on a pretzel. It is SO GOOD all on it's own. My husband's lucky I was able to restrain myself and bring some home.

One thing to note is that the vendors (or all those that I went to anyway) do not accept credit cards. However, there is an ATM in the market. Also, they are only open 3 days a week. Check out their site for deets.

I'm happy to report that everything I purchased from the market was awesome. Except…. the Parmesan. I'm sorry guys, that tastes nothing like Parmesan. Even I can tell.