There's a new Amish farmers' market in Baltimore, in a former bingo hall in Cherry Hill.
Patapsco Dutch Farmers' Market, at 3321 Annapolis Road, opened about two weeks ago with 15 vendors, who travel from Lancaster, Pa., to sell their meats, eggs, cheese, butter and milk, baked goods, soft pretzels and ice cream, and prepared meals like barbecued chicken, ribs and fried chicken.
There is also a sit-down restaurant, called Maria's Dutch Kitchen. It serves Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, including ham, gravy and mashed potatoes.
Eventually, the restaurant will offer an "Amish-style wedding meal," which consists of creamed celery and roast chicken, filling, corn, mashed potatoes and pie.
I learned all this from Isaac Esh, one of the organizers of the market and owner of Esh's Meats. He sells beef, pork, turkey, veal and lamb, all of it raised on pasture without the routine use of antibiotics.
I haven't been to the market yet, but I plan to head there soon and report back what I find.
Sun file photo of now-closed Amish market in Burtonsville