Traditional slow foods faster

There are a number of foodie trends but one that seems to be ringing true worldwide is the need to get back to basics. The slow food movement and desire to opt for artisanal and organic goods has never been a trend to the Amish, a traditional and religious community, but rather a way of life.

On May 21-23, Ireland will host its annual Burren Slow Food Festival highlighting the importance of consuming locally grown goods. Slow food events take place nearly every month around the world with the largest every two years in October in Turin, Italy.

The Amish, a North American community that chooses to live simply off the land without any modern convenience, continues to produce food products over open fires with the freshest ingredients. The clean living has proven to be very healthy as researchers noted in January that an Amish community in Ohio had significantly lower cancer rates based on that fact that they say no to drinking, smoking and multiple sexual partners ( http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/viewer/Pages/index.aspx?NewsId=5307).

A food news blog Slashfood noted on May 10 that "non-Amish [American] eaters who pointedly avoid preservatives are now regular" customers [for Amish market products] and are delighted that "Amish communities have begun migrating southward" bringing "their food traditions with them."

Amishables, a line of Amish products available online and at a retail location in Tennessee, boasts that they "cook our jam today in the same way we always have, Small batches in open kettles. In this way we are able to retain color, taste, and the chunks of fruit in the jam. We use no artificial coloring or flavoring at all." In addition to "no-added sugar" jams they sell cheeses and a cupcake-like treat, Whoopie pies.

If this is the type of food you want to have at home, check out AmishFamilyRecipes.com, another site for the slow food-minded without the farm and time to produce wholesome healthy yumminess the old-fashioned way.

They also produce "no-sugar added jams and spreads, pickled asparagus and spicy vegetables, salsas, dressings and marinades, BBQ sauces and mustards." All are priced at around €4 plus shipping. To order, go to: http://www.amishfamilyrecipes.com

Also Jake & Amos, an Amish food company, sells their line of condiments, jarred fruits, fruit butters and pickled eggs, vegetables and krauts, all under €4. For a complete list and prices visit: http://www.jakeandamos.com

If you live near an Amish market or frequent a famer's market in North America it is likely that you will be able to pick up Amish-made milk goods, fresh and smoked meats, variety of produce and baked goods.

And, if you are planning a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country, home of the largest Amish community, you may want to have a look at these bakeries and shops: http://www.800padutch.com/padutchfoods.shtml and http://www.800padutch.com/bakery.shtml