History

The Story of the Apple Fritter…

The story begins in 1969 when Paul Steinke, a pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, handed Dottie Czarnota a 50-pound bag of flour. Pastor Steinke suggested that she make Apple Fritters to sell as a fundraiser at Southington’s Apple Harvest Festival. Dot first tried making the fritters with apple rings, apple chunks, and wedges, but these failed to pass Pastor and Mrs. Steinke’s taste test. Finally, Dot created a new recipe that not only passed Steinke’s taste test but was met with congregational praise at the annual summer picnic. Having tasted Dot’s new recipe, the people of Zion agreed to give the Apple Fritter fundraiser their support.

Dottie Czarnota

During the early years, apple peeling and flour mixing were done at Dot’s home. In the booth, fritters were scooped into the fryer with a teaspoon and then later with an ice cream scoop. The fritters were sold for ten cents each, and soon, these delicious fritters became the hit of the Apple Harvest Festival. Over the years, several mechanical innovations were introduced to make the fritter business more efficient, but the recipe has remained the same. Your purchase of Apple Fritters enables Zion Lutheran Church to continue supporting ministries across town, throughout our nation, and around the world.