Traveling in the Present and Learning About the Past: Iowa, Amana Colonies:

Our visit to The Amana Colonies prompted us to investigate the historical and cultural background of its settlers to appreciate their culture. Until we gathered knowledge, we possessed a naïve comprehension of the dedication of the early residents, but once we understood, our visit gained significance.

While visiting Amana, we read, discussed, and participated in tours that explained the beliefs that inspired a communal lifestyle. Our visit began with a tour of the Heritage Museum in downtown Amana. The 22-minute video provided an overview of their evolution and traditions. After the video, many exhibits were available to explore.

The community began in Germany in 1714 and was known as the Community of True Inspiration. Though the people’s desire was to live in peace, these individuals were persecuted for what they believed, as is so often true when understanding is limited.

Seeking freedom, many residents sailed to America in 1843 and lived in New York. In 1855, Iowa tempted them with lower-priced land, natural resources, and fertile soil. Upon arrival, they settled the area and over time, 7 colonies were established. Residents of each village were given housing, food, medical care, and all the necessities to meet their basic needs in exchange for work and dedication to the core beliefs. In 1932 The Great Change dissolved much of the communal way of life and The Amana Society was established.

Each of the 7 villages was similar but over the years Amana has developed into a tourist town with busy streets and activities. There are no large chain stores. Commercial buildings that now exist were once homes that have been renovated and now specialize in specific crafts: quilts, chocolate, rocks, woodworking, beer, clothes, baskets, ice cream, etc. Prices reflect the high quality of the merchandise and the fact that the merchandise is handmade, with limited technology on site.

One afternoon, we ate dinner at an outdoor pub and listened to love music. We enjoyed the experience so much that our visit extended into the night.

Enjoy the food when visiting Iowa’s Amana Colonies

“Communal dining is the practice of dining with others. The practice is centered on food and sharing time with the people who come together in order to share the meal and conversation. Communal dining can take place in public establishments like restaurants, college cafeterias, or in private establishments.” Wiki.com

When the Amana Colonies in Iowa originated, they functioned as a communal society. There were several communal kitchens spread throughout the colonies where a few women prepared meals for 30+ people, a full-time job. By visiting the original sites, visitors get a glimpse of life long ago.

Everything in the kitchen was made by the people of Amana. As seen in the picture that includes the wood cook stove, pots, pans, and utensils.

Following the mandates of the lifestyle, a few fulfilled the task of meal prep while others completed their assigned tasks. Each person, young and old, served a role, and all were considered equal. Below is a sample menu for a week’s worth of communal meals.

Tasting the culture

During our visit to the Brau Haus, I devoured a fresh knockwurst (smoked bratwurst) smothered in sauerkraut. All the meat served at this restaurant came from Amana’s meat shop and smokehouse; it couldn’t be any fresher. The kraut tasted milder than what we are used to. It was crunchier and void of the sharp, biting sour taste. Exquisite!

When given the choice between French fries or German home fries, I opted for the German fries and was not disappointed. In fact, before we left the table, I searched the internet for a recipe because I didn’t want to think of a world where I would never eat them again.

Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes) By Kevin. Published Jan 27, 2022, on Kevin is Cooking

• 1 lb red potatoes quartered
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 3 green onions sliced thin, diagonally (white and green parts)

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat render the bacon until crispy. Remove from pan and allow to drain on paper towel.

Fry potatoes in bacon fat until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper and set aside with bacon.

Add flour to the pan, stir and cook for a minute or two in the remaining bacon fat. Add the apple cider vinegar, chicken broth and scrape pan to pick up all the bits. Sauce will thicken.

Add green onions, bacon and potatoes to the pan, stirring to coat all. Serve immediately. Top with more green onions if desired and or some balsamic glaze.

Cooking Tip: If your potatoes are too big, or to cut down on the cooking time when frying, I sometimes quarter the potatoes as directed and drop into boiling, salted water until fork tender. Be sure to drain and shake excess water and then add them to the frying pan to brown and get crispy in bacon fat.

On another evening, Randy and I visited the Ronneburg Restaurant. They advertise their meals as “traditionally inspired German cuisine.” We choose to have our meal served family style following the Amish tradition. We didn’t walk away hungry! The picture shows what was placed on our table and explains why we wobbled as we walked away after eating most of it.

We ordered only one entrée. When the waitress placed the ham on the table, we were glad for this decision. We opted to have the sides portioned for two people. Our meal included: cottage cheese, fresh bread, beets and coleslaw for the first course. Then came the meat with fried potatoes, gravy, green beans in mushroom sauce, and sauerkraut. Enough food for a family of four but we did justice. The entire cost of the meal was under $30.00.

“I do not actually like cottage cheese. Except for this cottage cheese.”

At first, I scrunched my nose at the beets and cottage cheese, not my favorites. However, after sampling both, I piled seconds on my plate because they were yummy. I found myself again searching the internet for an Amana cottage cheese recipe because what sat before me was not a product purchased at the store.

The author of the blog The Cookery Monster shared a recipe for the Amana cottage cheese.

“The secret is to add buttermilk and dried chives to cottage cheese. She insisted that you needed to use the local cottage cheese, but I have discovered that you get pretty good results with any whole milk, large curd cottage cheese–the stuff sitting in my fridge right now is generic Giant brand. The important thing is that it must be large curd, and must be whole milk; otherwise, it’s too watery.”

Ingredients

• 1 24-ounce tub whole milk, large curd cottage cheese
• 4 tablespoons buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons freeze-dried chives (fresh will also do, if you have them)
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Put all the ingredients in a bowl, and stir until the chives are distributed.

-Mcmeganish on March 30, 2020

Exploring the area

The adjacent colonies have remained mostly residential but include museums with displays from past days. The General Store in High Amana was built of sandstone. A customer can purchase items made by the residents, some imported from Germany, and many unique gifts for the home and garden. Some of the original shelves and cabinets are filled with items for sale and others for display only.

True to the period before the Industrial Revolution, daily tasks required hard work and sweat, often resulting in calloused hands. The picture below shows a washtub used for clothes. Once a week water was heated over a wood fire to clean soiled clothes using handmade soaps made by other villagers. Ironing consisted of a metal plate (as seen on the front ledge of the water basin) being heated on the stove and used to press.

Other museums welcome visitors to observe how tasks were accomplished before modern technology. We visited a cooper shop, woolen mills, woodworking shop, and other exhibits showing how tasks necessary to life were completed.

Printed documents, notices, brochures, news, and signs were printed using the laborious process of arranging each letter of the communication in a line, coating it with ink, and using a roller to transfer the words onto paper. Mass production had not been invented.

When traveling across the country in our RV, we often cook our meals to save money. However, when we have the opportunity to reward our taste buds or try something new, we go for it. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Or in this case, when in Amana do as they do in Amana.