On 11/23/2015 4:48 PM, Ecnerwal wrote:
Some months ago I mentioned that was making sauerkraut (first time out
for me.) I like the stuff, but dislike cabbage. As it puttered along, I
had some concern that it might be the case that I liked "commercial
sauerkraut" as opposed to the real thing.

It having been long enough, I find that I like the real thing just fine.

I like the stuff made with red cabbage just as well, plus it's amusing.

While apples may be a traditional addition in some places and seemed
like a great idea, I notice essentially no difference in taste for fully
fermented sauerkraut whether it has apples (about 25% to 75% cabbage) or
does not - which makes me disinclined to put the effort of processing
the apples and the apples themselves into future batches (though I
probably will try carrots in a batch sometime.) There are more useful
things to do with apples and the effort of processing them. They might
make more of a difference for folks that are not really making
sauerkraut (short-time fermenters) but the long-term is needed to get
proper sauerkraut flavor on the cabbage side. Shredding a bit more
cabbage is easier and cheaper.

Next year I may actually grow cabbage and brussels sprouts (I have not
made the experiment yet, but I'm guessing that sprouts will also be
improved to my palate as sauersprouts.)

Watched Alaska the Last Frontier last night. The homesteaders were
making fermented vegetables, looked like cabbage, carrots, and other
root vegetables being shredded and going into the mix. Might be worth a try.

I'm not overly fond of sauerkraut but the wife is, so will probably make
another batch this winter. But, then, it may be the bratwurst she eats
with the kraut vs the kraut itself. She is of German descent on her
father's side but the Limey side pops up occasionally too.

My ancestors mostly ate whatever they could catch or kill so I'm mostly
a meat guy with vegetables as something you eat because the doctor says
so. May be why I have heart disease and strokes but, what the hell, at
my age I figure I don't have a lot of time left anyway. Especially after
smoking for over forty years.

If you like it, do it. I hear on those TV doctor shows that fermented
vegetables are good for you. Why do they never say chocolate and ice
cream are good for you?