Give it a shot: These 20 recipes will be your entry into our favorite fermented food
Give it a shot: These 20 recipes will be your entry into our favorite fermented food
It’s no secret that at Delish we love pickles. Fried pickles, homemade pickles, pickle cheesecake (don’t worry, it’s a cheese ball 😉)… we can’t get enough of their salty, tart flavor. While dill and bread and butter will always have our hearts, it’s also our mission to get people more excited about some of the less popular types of pickles. One of our favorites? Sauerkraut! Not only is it super nutritious and good for digestion, it’s also damn delicious. From a staple ingredient in German cuisine to an integral part of a certain sandwich (see below), we think it deserves to be in the spotlight. Check out our 20 sauerkraut recipes for ideas, then add a jar to your grocery list (bonus: it’ll last for age in your refrigerator).
What is sauerkraut? Sauerkraut is sliced ​​cabbage (usually green, though red is fine too) that has been fermented with milk, a process in which good-for-you bacteria convert sugar into lactic acid, a natural preservative. This might sound overwhelming, but it’s pretty standard: If you’ve ever eaten or made kimchi or yogurt, you’re already familiar with lacto-fermentation and how delicious it can make average ingredients like vegetables or milk. Even if sauerkraut AND a vital part of German cuisine (the name translates to “sour cabbage” in German), it actually dates back to ancient China. It eventually made its way to Europe, then the Americas, rescuing many from scurvy and similar ailments to become a staple of the immigrant-owned hot dog cart. Fun fact: During WW1, it was renamed the “Liberty Cabbage” in America due to concerns of anti-German sentiment. For such a simple dish, it has quite a legendary past!
What should I do with sauerkraut? Anything! We joke. If you’re new to the world of sauerkraut, start with two of its most classic applications: in a Reuben sandwich or paired with a hearty meat dish, like our pork and sauerkraut or our sausages and sauerkraut. If you’re unfamiliar, a Reuben is a corned beef sandwich with Russian dressing, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, all stuffed between two pieces of rye bread. It’s a surprising combination of flavors that’s enough jobs, even if you take it out of the realm of sandwiches. Check out our Reuben Egg Rolls, our Reuben Bowls, or our Creamy Reuben Soup for proof, then feel free to get creative with it. We’re pretty sure almost anything can be enhanced with these flavors!
ANDREA BUI