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View Full Version : fermenting veggies w/o salt--kefir grains? or what?



EmJo
05-27-2008, 07:46 PM
I'm trying to get away from added salt in my diet, so I'd like to be able to ferment veggies w/o it.

I read in Ann Wigmore's book that one can make salt-free sauerkraut by smashing up the cabbage in a pail until the juice comes out. That's a bit labor-intensive for me. Does anyone just blend some cabbage w/water and mix it w/the rest of the cabbage and ferment it that way? (Is it possible?)

Also, I understand one can ferment veggies using kefir grains, but would the grains eventually go bad if I didn't throw them in milk every so often? I know they won't grow unless they're occasionally used for fermenting milk, and I know they'll get moldy if they just sit around doing nothing. Does anyone here successfully use kefir grains to make seed/nut yogurt and/or fermented veggies?

TIA for answering any of my questions. :)

veganman
05-29-2008, 01:12 AM
Hi EmJo -

I have made sauerkraut by chopping the cabbage in the food processor and juicing a bit of it as well. Then, I either 1) put a plate and weight on it so the juice rises up or 2) put it in a jar with an air lock. Hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions.

EmJo
05-30-2008, 12:09 PM
Thanks! At this moment I don't have a juicer, so I may try to ferment just a little bit by using cabbage blended w/water in my Vitamix.

rawviveyourself
05-30-2008, 12:57 PM
EmJo: The important part is the weight on top of the cabbage in the sealed container. It will definitely ferment! Also think about adding things like carrots, onions, rye seeds, garlic, or ginger!

EmJo
06-10-2008, 07:23 PM
Update, in case anyone's interested...;)

I processed some cabbage in my Cuisinart with enough water to end up with some purple (I used red cabbage) juice. I then followed the usual procedure for making raw sauerkraut, and...drumroll, please...

IT WORKED! :D It took about 5 days to ferment--salt-free!

Stina
06-11-2008, 09:59 PM
So, was the kraut soft or crunchy? I'd like to make some savory-sweet soft sauerkraut.
I've tried several times unsuccessfully. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but am determined to graduate from this learning curve.

raven
06-12-2008, 06:31 AM
Add two probiotic capsules.

Suzy

EmJo
06-12-2008, 08:12 PM
Add two probiotic capsules.

Suzy

To clarify, Suzy, adding the probiotics would make it soft? That would be cool!