How to Make Sauerkraut

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head of cabbage
• One of the following:
  • 1 to 3 teaspoonsl salt or
  • 1 to 3 teaspoons salt and 1/4 cup whey or
    
  • A starter culture such as Caldwell’s Cultured Vegetable Starter or Body Ecology Starter Culture and salt as indicated by the instructions for the specific culture you are working with
    

Instructions:

Chop or shred the cabbage depending on the desired consistency of the final product. Sprinkle with salt. Work the cabbage with your hands, potato masher, or kraut pounder until there is plenty of liquid and the cabbage is a bit mushy. This portion of the process usually takes about 10 minutes. If using whey, add the whey and mix well. If using a starter culture, add the culture as specified by the instructions that came with the culture.

Stuff the cabbage into the fermenting container, pressing the cabbage underneath the liquid. (If necessary, add a bit of water to ensure sufficient liquid). Ideally all the cabbage should be submerged under the liquid.

Allow the sauerkraut to culture for 3 to 10 days at room temperature. A longer fermentation period can be used if desired. Please note: if using a starter culture, be sure to allow the sauerkraut to culture for the specified number of days indicated by the instructions that came with the culture to ensure full bacteria development.

Once the sauerkraut is finished, move to a new storage container if desired. Store the sauerkraut in the refrigerator or in a root cellar after the culturing process. Many people find that aging the sauerkraut in the refrigerator or root cellar for 4 to 6 weeks improves the flavor.

Makes approximately one quart.

Variation: Prior to culturing, mix one part shredded carrots, apple, or other vegetable to five parts cabbage for a more complex flavor. Add caraway seeds if desired.

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