Amish Apple Scrapple

Amish Apple Scrapple is a delicious and hearty breakfast dish that combines the sweetness of apples with the savory goodness of traditional scrapple. Originating from the Pennsylvania Dutch community, this dish is a perfect way to start the day, offering a comforting blend of flavors and textures. The crispy exterior of the scrapple, combined with the soft, slightly sweet apples, makes for a delightful contrast that’s sure to please. It’s a dish that speaks to the simplicity and richness of Amish cooking, using basic ingredients to create something truly special.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork sausage
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 4 cups water
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the pork sausage over medium heat until fully browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
2. Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the Apples and Spices: Stir the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and black pepper into the thickened cornmeal mixture. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the apples to soften slightly.
4. Combine with Sausage: Add the cooked sausage to the cornmeal and apple mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
5. Set the Scrapple: Grease a loaf pan with butter, then pour the scrapple mixture into the pan, pressing it down to ensure it’s evenly packed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow it to set.
6. Cook the Scrapple: Once set, remove the scrapple from the loaf pan and slice it into 1/2-inch thick slices. In a large skillet, melt a little butter over medium heat and fry the slices until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Serve: Serve the Amish Apple Scrapple hot, with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of apple butter on the side.

Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish as a unique and hearty start to your day!