German Sauerkraut

Hello dear reader,

Last week I brought you my recipe and step-by-step instructions for making Korean Kimchi.
Today is another lacto-fermented cabbage dish, German Sauerkraut. This is made in essentially the same way as Kimchi but without all the spice.

Fermented Sauerkraut is softer and sourer than raw cabbage but still retains a crunch. I often add a handful to my lunch plate as is it great for keeping one’s gut healthy with good bacteria! I have also found that it gradually adjusts my palate and I begin craving more sour foods and less sweet foods, so it is perfect for helping you to stick to a diet or healthy eating plan.

If you struggle with sour foods you might have tried Sauerkraut and not liked it. I urge you to make it yourself as you can stop the fermenting process whenever you like, so it is not so sour.

 

German Suaerkraut

German Sauerkraut – recipe
– 1 cabbage
– 1 tbsp ground sea salt
– 1 tbsp caraway seeds or 1 tbsp juniper berries (I’m not a fan of either, so I substitute! In this version I used mustard seeds)

1) Start by shredding the cabbage, discarding the core. Place in a bowl and mix in the sea-salt.  Leave for about an hour until the cabbage starts to exude brine.

Shredded cabbage

When I am making a big batch, using several cabbages at once, I simply do all this in the kitchen sink!

Shredded cabbage in sink

2) Mix in your spice, traditionally caraway seeds or juniper berries but I am using mustard seeds.

Seasoned cabbage

3) Pack the Sauerkraut tightly into jars. The easiest way to do this is one handful at a time, pressing it firmly down before adding the next handful. You will be amazed how much can fit in one jar!

German Suaerkraut

4) Pace a weight on top, or use a makeshift weight like I do, which is a glass jar or a tin can wrapped in cling film. The important thing is that it is heavy enough to press down the Sauerkraut so it is all covered in brine but still allows air in. If the brine doesn’t quite cover the cabbage, add water until it does. It is also best to place the whole thing in a dish to catch any juices which may overflow.

weighted sauerkraut

You will need to tend to your Sauerkraut for a few seconds each day – press down on the weight to release the fermentation gases that build up and ensure the top of the cabbage is still covered in brine. After a few days, start tasting once a day as the flavour changes as it ferments. Some people like a long ferment, some short – I like to leave mine for about a week. Once the flavour has developed to your personal taste, remove the weight, close the lid and store in the refrigerator.
Sauerkraut can keep for several months and even years!

Have fun fermenting!
Vohn
x

P.S. I am entering this into Chris’s Foodie World Cup bloggers challenge, as Germany are playing today (30th June 2014).

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8 comments

  1. Hello Vohn

    Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve explored your site since finding this one and it makes me feel inspired.

    I made three jars of sauerkraut from your recipe. Now I have a question : two of the jars have developed a cloudy mould film on the top. Do you know if this is normal? It smells OK, but I’m not sure I want to taste it until I know! I’m having a bit of trouble finding a clear answer on the wider net, so I thought I would come right to the source. 😉

    Keep posting!

    • Thanks so much for your kind words about my site CJ – you have completely made by day! 😀
      So delighted you have been making sauerkraut – I find it truly addictive and great for re-setting ones palate after all the sweet treats of the festive period.

      A thin cloudy film forming is likely to be yeast, which can build up if the air temperature is quite high or if the cabbage wasn’t fully submerged. The health and safety bods would probably say to throw the whole jar out. I personally would just spoon/scrape off the top layer (just like I would if the top of an open jar of jam/chutney had mould on it) and go ahead and eat it. The decision is entirely up to you of course.

      Keep experimenting! 😀

  2. Where should I keep the jars as they ferment? Should it be a cold place? Do I need to cover the container that the jars are all sitting in?

    • Hi Nyki, Lacto-fermentation happens at average room temperature, anywhere between 15 – 25 degrees Celsius. I just keep my jars out on the kitchen counter. You don’t want to cover them, as they need air for successful fermentation. Only cover once once you are happy with the taste and don’t want further fermentation to occur. Have fun fermenting! 🙂

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