Apple & juniper berry sauerkraut

This is a variation of basic Sauerkraut and it’s also often called Bavarian Sauerkraut. Juniper berries are a spice more than a berry and may be available fresh when in season or dried at a health food store. We found them at our local Butte Creek Mill. Homemade Sauerkraut is a real treat, and it's very easy to make.



Ingredients

3 or 4 heads of cabbage, shredded
2 or 3 apples, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 tbsp caraway seeds
3 tbsp Juniper berries, crushed
1/4 cup sea salt or kosher salt

Directions

Combine the shredded cabbage, chopped apples and spices together.

Place the shredded cabbage and apple mixture little by little in your fermentation jar, pounding them vigorously and sprinkling some of the sea salt as you go.

Make sure the mixture fills the jar up to 1 inch bellow the top (because of the expansion), adding more if needed, and that the extracted water covers the vegetables entirely. If not, create a brine of 2 tablespoons sea salt to 4 cups water and add it to the cabbage.

Press the mixture and keep it under the brine by placing a plate or a lid on top weighted down by a rock or a jug of water. Cover with a clean towel if needed to keep out fruit flies.

Place the fermentation jar in a warm spot in your kitchen and allow the Sauerkraut to ferment for 7 to 10 days.

Check on it from time to time to be sure that the brine covers the mixture and to remove any mold that may form on the surface.

A good way to know when it’s ready is to taste it during the fermentation process and move it to the refrigerator when you’re satisfied with the taste.