The Apple Fritter Story

“Apple Fritter” Story   

The story of the Apple Fritter Booth begins in 1969.  It was then that someone gave a 50 pound bag of flour to Pastor and Mrs. Steinke.  Mrs. Steinke suggested that the congregation make apple fritters to sell at Southington’s new Apple Harvest Festival.  Pastor Steinke asked Dot Czarnota about the idea, knowing full well how she liked to bake.  Dot first tried making the fritters with apple rings, then apple chunks, and then wedges.  These failed to pass Pastor and Mrs. Steinke’s taste test.  After a number of tries, she created a new recipe.  Dot then baked a batch of fritters for the congregation to try at their annual picnic.  Everyone enjoyed the fritters and agreed to give the apple fritter project their support.    

During the early years the apple peeling and flour mixing were done at Dot’s home.  The fritters were sold for ten cents each and soon the delicious fritters became the hit of the Apple Harvest Festival.  Over the years several mechanical innovations were introduced to make the fritter baking process easier and more efficient, but the recipe has remained the same.