In recent years, the popularity of fermented foods has increased rapidly! Millions of people have realized the ancient wisdom of our ancestors and their traditional recipes. For centuries, people have been using fermentation to store food and achieve numerous health benefits.
According to Jillian Levy, CHHC:
“Sauerkraut, a form of fermented cabbage, has been popular throughout Central Europe for hundreds of years.
Sauerkraut combines one of the healthiest foods there is (cabbage) with one of the most beneficial and time-honored food preparation methods ever used (fermentation).
According to the Institute for Integrative Medicine at the University of Witten in Germany, sauerkraut is one of the most common and oldest forms of preserving cabbage and can be traced back as an important food source to the fourth century B.C.
Fermentation simply refers to an ancient technique and perseveration method that naturally alters the chemistry of foods.
Similar to cultured dairy products like yogurt and kefir, sauerkraut’s fermentation process produces beneficial probiotics that are now linked to improvements in immune, cognitive, digestive and endocrine function.”
The process of picking cabbage to make Sauerkraut uses a scientific process referred to as lacto-fermentation. This process produces a rich source of enzymes that aid in digestion and assist the body in nutrient absorption. The only downside is the store-bought Sauerkraut is often pasteurized and chemically treated with preservatives, so it no longer offers the same benefits as homemade Sauerkraut.
Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe
Ingredients:
- 6 pounds cabbage
- 3 tablespoons sea salt
Instructions:
Remove the large outer leaves of the cabbage, and shred the rest of it. In a bowl, mix it with the salt, and in order to stimulate the release of its juices, massage it with your hands for about 15 minutes.
Then, transfer the mixture to a larger fermentation container, pound it down for the juice to come up to the surface, and cover it with a plate. You should leave about 2 inches of space at the top.
Place a heavy glass jar with water over the plate to press it down and force the water out of it. Keep the container at room temperature, in a cool, dark place, covered with a towel.
The fermentation process will take about a month. Afterward, store the Sauerkraut in the fridge, and enjoy its benefits on a daily basis!
