Making sauerkraut is so easy, it's embarrassing. If you've never done it, and you would like to make your own, please do not be afraid, Gentle Reader. Go out and purchase a Fido Jar. You could purchase a Pikl-It jar, but they are a lot more costly, and the Fido works just as well. In one of the pictures here you will see the big Pikl-It I am using and a smaller Fido. If I had to do it over, I'd just buy Fido jars. The one I have I bought at a thrift store for a song!
That picture of me up there is right after I went out and harvested the rest of our little cabbages. It took all of 2 minutes to do that. I have used some of the cabbages already, but these were left, and the slugs are taking an interest, so it was time to get them out of harm's way.
I weighed them. There was approximately 5 pounds, after I shredded them in the food processor. Take out the cores first. You can also use a sharp knife and cut shreds as small as possible, but the food processor is like having a magic wand. Truly.
Here is the cabbage, after being shredded:
For the 5 pounds of shredded cabbage, I sprinkled on 3 Tablespoons of sea salt. (If you have a choice, don't use "table salt", but if you don't, just use it!) I sort of mixed it in and then let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, here is what it looked like:
Then I just squished it vigorously with my hands until it was nice and juicy, then I packed it into the two jars. You don't want to fill them up all the way to the top, as the sauerkraut will "heave" when it starts fermenting.
I will be able to tell when it is "done," as you can easily see when the fermentation is complete and everything settles down. You can also do a taste test. When it tastes right, it is! Then, pack your kraut into another glass jar and cover it well. Store in the refrigerator.
Now, on to my next surprise! Have you ever heard of "Armenian cucumbers?" I never did until this year. I read online that they are actually a variety of musk melon. But you pick them while young and they are really really nice cucumbers. No need to peel them. Pick them before they start to form seeds and use them just like any other cucumber. I love them! They are interesting and beautiful, as well as deliciousl
I would urge anyone to try making sauerkraut. It has no resemblance to the canned stuff. Your picture is cute- love the yellow shoes! Angela
ReplyDeleteYou are right. There is no comparison! Those shoes a Malindi crocs! I love them. So comfy and I've been wearing them nearly all the time this summer. :)
DeleteLOL... I came to this link because I thought you'd done something with the cabbage and cucumber together.
ReplyDeleteI used to work for a national seed company who had Armenian cucumbers in the inventory. They didn't sell well, imho. The higher-ups compared the Armenian to English cucumbers.
:) I suppose the title was a bit misleading...
ReplyDeleteI've never had English cucumbers, either. I will check them out. Thanks for visiting!
I planted enough cabbage this year to try and make sauerkraut. I have two things called air locks, I think that is what they are called, that are in a flat canning jar lid that you can screw onto a jar with the band. They look like what's on top of your jar. It looks like you have water in it, how much did you put in it? I tried making sauerkraut before in a gallon jar and weighting the cabbage down it molded on me. Hoping to have success this year:-)
ReplyDeleteCheryl, there is a little line on mine, about halfway up to show how much water to put in. Good luck. I'm sure if you have a good airlock, it will be successful.
DeleteLove the photo and the orange crocks. Great article on making sauerkraut. I love it and you cannot beat the health benefits. It is a perfect food and the only thing I can find wrong with it is that when I am trying to eat it my German Shepherd Dog will not leave me alone and drools while he is begging. He does this for raw milk kefir too. I gave him some figuring once he tasted the sour food he would leave me alone, but he loved it and always wants some. I guess it is true that GSD are one of the smartest dogs. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! :D That is so funny about your dog. Our doggie doesn't like it, but I used to have a dog that would devour raw carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash. She was our first dog after we got married. I still miss her.
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