Lemon Dill Sauerkraut from ChouAmi & Le Parfait
Fermenting is fun! Learn to make your own sauerkraut (and so much more!) with the fermentation kit from ChouAmi and Le Parfait. The kit fits on many Le Parfait canning jars (in fact it comes with a jar you can use right away!) And the ChouAmi website has a bunch of yummy looking recipes.
*You will notice some specifics about what equipment and water to use. These details are very important as you are trying to encourage the growth and activity of healthy bacteria, and some chemical combinations will hinder the process.
Ingredients
2# Green Cabbage, finely shredded
1 Tbsp Sea Salt (do not use iodized table salt)
? C Fresh Dill, chopped
3-4 slices Fresh Lemon, skin on, remove the seeds
Spring Water (Not faucet water – no chemicals wanted here!)
Equipment
ChouAmi Fermenting Kit
Sauerkraut pounder, wooden spoon or wooden rolling pin
Large mixing bowl – stainless steel, glass or ceramic
Shred the cabbage and place it in the mixing bowl with the salt. Massage the salt into the cabbage with your hands and let sit for about 30 minutes. (Make sure your hands are clean!)
After resting, add in the dill and mix well.
Transfer the mixture one third at a time to the glass jar, pressing gently but firmly with the sauerkraut pounder, wooden spoon or rolling pin end after each addition.Add the lemon slices in about halfway through – you can put them on the sides for a decorative look!
Keep pressing the cabbage until it’s about 1½“ below the rim of the jar.
Allow to stand about 24 hours to build up more liquid if necessary.
Assemble the ChouAmi onto the top of the jar. Allow to ferment 7-10 days in a cool spot away from direct sunlight. Check every few days and add water to the “moat” as needed.
When ready, remove the ChouAmi. Wipe the rim of the jar clean and seal with the Le Parfait jar lid.
Refrigerate, and eat!
(*Heating or cooking fermented foods will often kill the beneficial microbes. Don’t be afraid to use the sauerkraut in casseroles or grilled Reuben sandwiches, but be aware that you may not get the same health benefits.)