This week’s “Taste of Lancaster County” entry is about Pennsylvania Dutch food and our legendary Kitchen Kettle Village. As always, we’ll give away a Lancaster County prize to one commenter chosen at random from this entry. Good luck!
As you’ve seen from some of our other Taste of Lancaster County entries this month, a big part of the county’s heritage is the cooking and food. You’ll love the great tasting Pennsylvania Dutch foods that are widely available in the Lancaster County Region. Pennsylvania Dutch are descendants of German immigrants, who brought over not only a whole new culture, but also some great recipes which became a huge part of the Lancaster County heritage.
The tradition of the Seven Sweets and Seven Sours, a common aspect of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, is celebrated at many tourist-oriented restaurants and at annual festivals around the area. During the presence of company or in many large families, seven various picked foods, relishes, and spreads would be laid out along side several Dutch dishes as part of dinner. Foods you could commonly find in the local area includes chicken corn soup, scrapple, chicken pot-pie, chow-chow, and shoofly pie.
Kitchen Kettle Village is a wonderfully charming village of stores located in the heart of Amish Country in Intercourse, PA and it’s the perfect place to hunt for some of these Pennsylvania Dutch delicacies. A great place to take the family, the village has over 40 restaurants and shops to explore. You’ll have a wonderful time shopping, eating, and socializing with people from all walks of life and it is a great place to start on your trip to Lancaster County.
Today’s Taste of Lancaster County prize is a collection of jams from Kitchen Kettle Village’s legendary jam and jelly shop. The shop is known for providing samples of their goods, which include everything from traditional options to more unusual (yet surprisingly good) jams like jalapeno jam and garlic herb jelly. Enjoy!
Tags: ice cream, jam, jelly, kitchen kettle village, lancaster, turkey hill
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
We are so lucky to live within a day drive of Lancaster – with all of the scenic and wonderful Pa. Dutch businesses and festivals, it makes for a lovely weekend trip for my family. Love Love Love shoo fly pie!
I have many happy memories of visits to Lancaster as a child. Many of them revolve around the special food we ate there. It has been a while since my kids have been there, so perhaps we’ll plan a visit.
Jam, I absolutely LOVE it. I’m actually making Sugar Free Black Raspberry Jam with the black raspberries we picked over the weekend.
Again, it reminds me of our regular visits to the Amish Door in Ohio when we lived there. I love how your blog entries bring back good memories of living near Amish Country. It was honestly the most peaceful time.
Ooh, Ooh!! Pick me, Pick me!!! I love their products…especially their Pepper Jam!! We put it over cream cheese and serve it with pretzels, crackers, or vegetables. It is also great on sandwiches!
Kitchen Kettle jams and jellies are delicious!
Homemade jams and jellies are the best…but who has time to do that anymore…therefore Amish country jams and jellies are the best!
Wow the food sure sounds wonderful! What the heck is scrapple?!
I’ve never tried homemade jam or jelly so this would certainly be a treat.
My husband would love the pepper jams. I’m not too sure about the rest of the family.
Now that July is almost over
And the cows are munching healhy clover
We know what August has in store:
Turkey Hill ice cream flavors galore!
I went to Kitchen Kettle Village last September and loved it. Can’t wait to visit again, maybe next year.
[...] TASTE OF LANCASTER COUNTY: PA DUTCH COOKING AND JALAPENO JAMThis week’s “Taste of Lancaster County” entry is about Pennsylvania Dutch food and our legendary Kitchen Kettle Village. As always, we’ll give away a Lancaster County prize to one commenter chosen at random from this entry. Good luck! … [...]
We’ve been there many times and brought many from our family with us.
Great place to visit, close, with gas so expensive. Good “mini” vacation.
THEY PUT HEART AND SOUL IN EVERY PRODUCT THEY MAKE, JUST LIKE TURKEY HILL
I think that a good way to add some healthy fruit nutrient to your daily dessert (ice cream) would be to mix in a few scoops of this home made jam! It would kind of resemble the new duette Turkey Hill flavors. It can be vanilla swirled with a fruity jam…YUM!
jalapeno jam–no way i’ll be trying that one! i’ll stick to the other PA Dutch favorites i’ve had since i was a kid when we visited Lanc cty. don’t forget to try the purple eggs folks!
Cheryl W asked: “What the heck is scrapple?!” according to the dictionary built into my Mac: “scrapple |ˈskrapəl| noun: scraps of pork or other meat stewed with cornmeal and shaped into loaves for slicing and frying, esp. characteristic of eastern Pennsylavania.” it’s a breakfast staple in Philadelphia diners. but again, something else i avoid. i prefer Phila Tastykakes and soft pretzels.
a note to mary frey: please stop typing in ALL UPPER CASE! every day it looks like you’re ‘shouting’. on the internet use upper case just for EMPHASIS of selected words. it’s called proper netiquette. thanks.
Maybe I can mix some Jam with some Turkey Hill ice cream – and some whip cream, jimmies, and cherry on top!
To those inquiring about scrapple, I tend to describe it as a blend of sausage meats and a binder of cornmeal or oatmeal. It’s not to my taste (smells like it has some liver in it), but my hubby loves it sliced and skillet-fried til crispy on both sides.
I would love to go visit Kitchen Kettle Village, what a great place for fun and great people and lots of Turkey Hill and tasty jam too.
Lancaster is beautiful! I first went there when I was in the Navy in 1970. I got to visit frequently because my daughter went to Elizabethtown College.
My favorite is the shoofly pie. Fortunately for me, it is shipped from Lancaster to our local stores! Would love to try other PA Dutch items.
I grew up with all the wonderful flavors of Lancaster County with it being less than an hour away….my favorite today, which I share with my family, is home made potato noodles in chicken pot pie; the recipe I got from my grandmother a life-long resident of Lititz in the heart of Lancaster County.
I have visited the shops at Intercourse many times…..Christmas season is the
best! The samples are wonderful at Kitchen Kettle……candle shop has the
best smells and Deerskin is indescribable…..wish list gets longer with every visit.
love the seven sweets and seven sours at the Amish restaurants-also love Peaches and Cream limited edition-picked up some yesterday-big YUM!
I love Lancaster and many of their wonderful foods. I’d like to try the jams and jellies, but not too sure about the Jalapeno one. I can’t eat anything that’s too spicy. But most other ones would be great.
Kitchen Kettle Village is a super place to visit — I love the outdoor band with the old-time singing, the “cow” you can milk, the fudge you can sample and watch how they make it, the fresh air of Lancaster County, the cool toy shop, the beautiful music box store, and yes, all the wonderful food samples at the Kitchen Kettle store itself. You won’t leave empty-handed, I assure you.
Whenever we visit Lancaster County and Pa. Dutch Country the quality of the food and quantity of the food is unbelievalbe.We might try the jalapeno jam with the Viener Schnitzel. one thing is for sure you never go away hungry and everything is delicious!
When I saw the title I thought you were suggesting jalapeno jam on ice cream. Then I thought-might be interesting.
I love Kitchen Kettle Village. My husband & I stay there for a few days every summer.In fact we will be staying there next week for 4 nights. Can’t wait. When you go outside early in the morning there are wonderful smells coming from the Jams & Relish Kitchen. The Pepper jam or Jalapeno jam make a great dip when mixed with cream cheese.
Lancaster County and Pa. Dutch country has the finest quality and quantity of food to be found anywhere. You are sure to have a delicious meal everytime and never leave hungry. I would try the jalapeno jam on the side or on bread when ordering the Viener Snitzel. While writing this comment my mouth is watering already but unfortunately my husband has been very ill and really can’t say when that day will be!
I havn’t been to kitchen kettle in years.
We go to Kitchen Kettle Village AT LEAST three times a year to stock up on our “sweets and sours” – a few sours and many sweets. My husband only eats the jellies from Kitchen Kettle. He can’t eat seeds and needs the no added sugar and Kitchen Kettle has the largest selection and best tasting jams he has ever had. He starts to panic when we get low on our stock and we start planning another trip to “Amish Country”. We love the area and all it has to offer. The dried corn is also a favorite of ours along with the cheeses, meats and noodles at the little shop across the street from the jams and jellies.
We have visited Kitchen Kettle Village. So much to see and taste. Check it out when you visit. Lots of goodies to bring home.
when jalapeno jam was mentioned, it brought back a memory from a few years ago at the shore. we had been there for a week and of course had visited the boardwalk and done some shoppng in specialty stores.
one night my grandson was in charge of making sundaes for the family. he looked for toppings, and not finding much, he spotted a jar of jam. he used that as a topping. yep, the jalapeno jam. after the yelling stopped, the ice cream had softened, he swirled his and then insisted it tasted pretty good. he was right. for a very different taste, soften vanilla ice cream, swirl any jam you like into it, including jalapeno, and eat right then or return to freezer to refreeze.
we are fans of every way of eating ice cream we can find. its just another excuse for another bowl of ice cream !
I have never tried Jalapeno jam but will have to next time we’re at Kitchen Kettle Village. I love it over there. The shops and food are wonderful. I live an hour away but am over there often. I would move to Lancaster if I could get my husband to!!
Sounds like a popular destination of many readers…myself included. Pork and sauerkraut is one of our family’s favorite Lancaster County meal.
Need to get back to Lancaster County – it’s been a while since I visited!
I’ve never been to this spot, but I’ve been to a lot of places along route 30 that sell similar products – and pepper jelly is one of my absolute favorites!
What an amazing place to live with so much emphasis on food and cooking, especially in this day and age when so many depend on fast food for meals. I love the idea of 7 sweets and sours!
I think the jalapeno and the garlic herb jam would make wonderful dips to serve with celery or crackers. Thank you Turkey Hill for all the new ideas.
Kitchen Kettle Village has been a favorite stop of ours ever since we lucked into visiting during their berry festival. Even our teens (at the time) had fun sampling all the goodies. Their berry jams mixed with cream cheese make great dips also. On another visit for our anniversary there happened to be a large tent with a local fire co. selling barbequed chicken (delicious!) right there at K.K.V.. We have a treasured picture hanging in our living room that was purchased from Dutchland Galleries there at K.K.V. and each time we’ve been back we go to the gallery to admire all the paintings, especially those by J.G. McGill.
I’m with Patty. The jalapeno jam and garlic herb jelly probably would be too spicy for my system. The Shoofly pie sounds interesting. Hubby would “force” me to sidetrack to Hershey so he could stock up on chocolate at Hershey World.
We come every year to Kitchen Kettla and even have made friends with Banjo Jimmy! He calls us on holidays and we send cards too.
My souvenier gifts to friends this year were boxes of jams and jellies…including Pepper Jam. Even sent them to NM and MA.
My sons now bring their wives and children to enjoy Kitchen Kettle.
I met and spoke with Pat this year.She is as nice as the website depicts her.
I’ve made red pepper jam and fruit jams but I am not so bold as to try jalapeno jam. I have to see if that kitchen kettle is online, I would love to try some. I get so bored with supermarket jams and jellies, thats why I’ve made my own.
My nephew makes Jalapena jam, I like it mixed with cream cheese. No place like Lancaster for the Shoofly pie. I buy a whole pie and warm it and put Turkey Hill vanilla ice cream on it, delicious. I usually get the Kitchen Kettle jams as a gift from my brother who lives in Lancaster. Wonderful place for Pa. Dutch Foods. Linda
I always loved going to Kitchen Kettle Village. I really miss Lancaster! I have to try and get back there soon.
My husband would love the jalapeno jam!
It’s time for us to go back to Lancaster County! It’s been way too long!
I had shoo fly pie for the first time last year. I also love all the different foods and experiences that Lancasterhas to offer. I wish I could be there right now. I love to make jamto. I just finished making a bluebery/rasberry jam last week!!!!!!
My wife and I visit the Village every year. We try to stock up for the year, but its difficult with all the great products available.
after trying the jams and jellies from Kitchen Kettle I would never buy from
any place else. Love to buy the sample jars to try the different flavors. My favorite was beet jelly but they stopped making it.But, they come up with new flavors. One of the many treasures from Lancaster county— who needs Disney world
There are so many unique places to visit in Lancaster. I’ve never been to Kitchen Kettle Village. I’ll be sure to go there on my next visit to Lancaster.
Kitchen Kettle Village is one of my favorite places to visit in Lancaster County. One of my favorites is the hot pepper jelly, but I’ve never tried the jalapeno jam – that might be a little too hot for me! I like the pepper jelly on crackers with cream cheese. Yum!
All the talk about shoofly pie makes me so hungry for some. I will have to make one myself this weekend, as I won’t be able to get to Lancaster County anytime soon because I’m having hip replacement surgery in a few weeks. I can’t think of anything better than a slice of shoofly pie with a few dips of Turkey Hill vanilla ice cream. Yummo!
I have always enjoyed the Lancaster area. The last time down three or four years ago, I was to the Kitchen Kettle, always a must. I also saw a play at the Dutch Apple, it was great. Thankfully I have a taste of Lancaster just about everyday when I have Turkey Hill Ice Cream, as I don’t get to Lancaster as often as I would like
Good Morning to all Turkey Hill Fans,
Taste of Lancaster County” was excellant.
I had Pennsylvane Dutch Food years ago. I love their food. The legendary kitchen kettle village was very good also. I have a great recipe for scrapple. If you want it I will share it will all. I never had jalapeno jam or garlic herb jelly. I bet it is good. It is good I bet on hot bread or top on hot soup. I can’t aford to go to Dutch Penn. I am happy that you are sharing these article with us. Some of us may not be able to visited Pennsylvane, Dutch County and The Legendary Kitchen kettle Village, We sure can read about it. Thank You again Turkey Hill for all the story that you are bring to us on here.
I swear, every time we take a weekend trip up to Lancaster, I gain a couple of pounds and have to work hard to burn it off in time for the next trip! But it is SO worth it!! Great food, excellent service, and super-friendly people all make it a place we visit as often as possible. The only negative is that I never want to come back to the DC metro area after being there!
It is so much fun to mention PA Dutch foodstuffs to folks from outside of the region. The face of confusion is what you’ll see. Very funny. They don’t know what they’re missing!
my grandmother is pa dutch. i love homemade chicken poy pie. also wet bottom shoo fly pie
I love visiting PA Dutch country. The foods are fabulous and refreshingly different. Thanks for all the wonderful things I have learned this month by celebrating everyones favorite treat….ICE CREAM!
People let me tell you about Jalepeno jam. It’s not what you think! We (our family uses it on Pork, Chicken, as a base for bbq sauce, mixed with cream cheese and onion soup mix (makes a spicy slightly sweet onion dip) great for veggies. On whiting (Fish) along w/ italian dressing as a marinade/ baste try it out. Do they do internet orders?
I have been to the Kettle Kitchen and I just love Intercourse.(and I like saying that too) but let me tell you,
I have bought jalapeno jam and I absolutely love it. it is not like ice cream but I am sure that it would go good on top of it.
I found 2 jars of pepper jelly in my father’s pantry (one green colored “mild” and one red “spicey”) and had NO idea what to do with it. Eat it???? Thanks to the TH bloggers for sharing all their culinary genius and creativity, maybe I’ll get daring and try some…
When visiting Hershey PA we always make time to visit Country Kettle Village and taste the delicious jams, relishes and baked goods buying those we favor (much easier than making them ourself)
i live in maryland but shop in delaware
at bylers country store.they too have
some amish food. i think i’ve seen
jalapeno jam but didn’t know anything
about it, but will try iy next time.
I love jam and i love to make it….
pople don’t like to do makeing they are to busy.. they think buying is better..
I have this really beautiful handmade wooden bread box made and sold at Kitchen Kettle. My mom bought it for me about 27 years ago just before I got married. Mom died about 18 years ago and this is one of my cherished possessions from her. When I look at it I think of her and I know exactly where she got it from – been there many times!
I absolutely love jam. As a matter of fact, I picked up some Jersey peaches at a roadside farm market in Freehold NJ and made myself a small batch of peach jam to spread on toast. Delicious!!!
Sounds like something my husband would absolutely love! Many years ago, we visited Lancaster County and loved the area.Our kids love Hersey Park.
Been to Kitchen Kettle many times
Just love the jams and jellies and all the sampling and also watching them being made right in the store….can’t get any fresher than that.
I hesitated to try jalapeno jam…it is totally different then what you would expect. Scrumptious! Lots you can do with it, dips, sandwich spread, condiment with meats, etc. It is yummy! Kitchen Kettle Village is a wonderful quaint place, with lots and lots of goodies! Pickled watermelon rind is still my favorite!
IT’S TRUE,VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE.
UMMMMMM fresh strawberry jam! Brings back memories of when my best friend’s aunt made homemade jam, I could eat it by the jar full.
a visit to KITCHEN KETTLE VILLAGE is a must when visiting Lancaster County! What fun place!!! Only thing better is a cone of Turkey Hill Ice Cream!!
sounds greAT
I visit Kitchen Kettle Village at least once a year. It is a great place, live music, great food and atmosphere. Whoever wins this prize congrats!
My friends and I, visited Lancaster and we stopped at one of these little Village shop places. How nice it was! We ended up spending the entire day there and all the shops were soo accomodating, as far as letting us sample any & every, thing! I had my first taste of Shoo Fly pie!
I to have been to Kitchen Kettle Village. Everything everyone else has said is true but it gets very crowded especially during the summer. So if you go, go early and stay. There is plenty to see and do.
All the Lancaster County artlicale make me wish we lived closer!
Wow, you guys at TH should be on the Lancaster County Tourist Council.
I haven’t been to that part of Pennsylvania for years. But your description makes me want to return. It would be topped off with some Turkey Hill ice cream.
Kitchen Kettle is a favorite stopping place for me. I can get all PA Dutch products that I like. Shoo fly pie? Yeah man!
I’m sooooo lucky to raise my family in such a wonderful county with so many wonderful things to explore!
Oh how I would love to spread that on my bagels..I love hot an sweet jams!!!
My husband forever talks about Kitchen Kettle Village and how we have to go there. We’ve been married 4 years and he’s yet to take me there on one of our drives out to Lancaster. I’ll have to forward this e-mail to him
I am really going to miss Ice Cream month with you guys!!! It was alot of fun! Thank you!!!!!!
I’ve been going to Kitchen Kettle for years. Love it! And yes you can get those jams and relishes on line. With great companies like them and Turkey Hill, Lancaster County sets the standard for business.
Kitchen Kettle Village is awesome. I love their blueberry preserves and their peach jam and peach salsa!! You guys should team up with KKV and do a flavor together.
I was just at the Berry Festival in June at Kitchen Kettle. It was a lot of fun. I love their salsa and my mom and husband say they have the best beets in the world.
Kitchen Kettle’s Cranberry Orange Marmelade is my favorite! Love that stuff.
Kitchen Kettle used to make this raspberry barbecue sauce with chipotle that was so good. Unfortunately they quit making it, but I was lucky enough to buy about a dozen bottles before they did. Oh, and their Peanut Butter Schmeir is the best I’ve found.
we just got back from our trip to lancaster and I did not buy the jalapeno jam but I came hope with a jar of hot pepper jam and a small disappointment, I went to the turkey hill ice cream stand in dutch wonderland and could not get the cherry duetto, it is on the list if items sold but not sold at that spot, boo hoo
I miss your black raspberry ice cream so much now that I live in Denver! They just don’t have anything nearly as good. Help!
I enjoy all the comments here….
i’m pondering about beginning my own blog. i’m asking yourself if it is hard to operate your own blog. I certainly enjoy commenting. many thanks Bloggers….