Sauerkraut is a fantastic way to add some flavour to your recipes, and is an important component to a healthy digestive system. The trick to a good sauerkraut is to make sure it is not pasteurized, so that all the beneficial enzymes and probiotics are largely intact. You make sure it is raw by making it yourself with this homemade sauerkraut recipe.

Purpose

Full of minerals, enzymes, and probiotics, making your own fermented vegetables could easily be the most important and cheapest thing you can do for your health.

Try it on salads, eggs, wraps, hamburgers, and even in salsa!

Equipment Required

• Food processor


• Blender


• Knife


• 2 large bowls

Ingredients

• 3 heads green cabbage, shredded


• 1 bunch of kale, chopped


• 1 tbsp dill weed

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl


• Remove a few cups and place in blender


• Add filtered water to make a brine which will be the consistency of a thick juice


• Blend well and add back into the first mixture and stir well


• Pack mixture down into a air tight container. Use a wooden spoon or other tool to pack down tightly


• Fill container near full, leaving 1-2 inches at the top for the veggies to expand


• Roll up cabbage leaves and place on top to fill the remaining space and close container tightly


• Let sit at room temperature (72F or higher) for at least 1 week. The longer you leave them, the better they taste and more probiotic rich they become!

• To make a batch of sauerkraut, a starter is not absolutely necessary. The natural sugars in the veggies will help break it down and render a batch of probiotic goodness. However, if you want to ensure you get a vigorous fermentation, you can dissolve a package of this high quality starter culture in 1/4 cup of warm water (90F). Add a small amount of sugar to feed the starter (ie. cane sugar, honey) and let it sit for 20 minutes or longer to activate. Add this to the brine.

Consumption

• Consume 1/4 to 1/2 cup at meals to aid in digestion, or on its own for more therapeutic benefits.