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Sauerkraut
From: Pammyam
This is the recipe my mom used. It's from the "Ball Blue Book"
freezing and canning guide.
- About 50 pounds cabbage
- 1 pound (1-1/2 cups) salt, pure granulated
Remove the outer leaves and any undesirable portions from firm, mature,
heads of cabbage; wash and drain.
Cut into halves or quarters; remove the core.
Use a shredder or sharp knife to cut the cabbage into thin shreds
about the thickness of a dime.
In a large container, thoroughly mix 3 tablespoons salt with 5
pounds shredded cabbage.
Let the salted cabbage stand for several minutes to wilt slightly;
this allows packing without excessive breaking or bruising of the
shreds.
Pack the salted cabbage firmly and evenly into a large clean crock
or jar.
Using a wooden spoon or tamper or the hands, press down firmly
until the juice comes to the surface.
Repeat the shredding, salting, and packing of cabbage until the
crock is filled to within 3 or 4 inches of the top.
Cover cabbage with a clean, thin, white cloth (such as muslin)
and tuck the edges down against the inside of the container.
Cover with a plate or round paraffined board that just fits inside
the container so that the cabbage is not exposed to the air.
Put a weight on top of the cover so the brine comes to the cover
but not over it.
A glass jar filled with water makes a good weight.
A newer method of covering cabbage during fermemtation consists
of placing a plastic bag filled with water on top of the fermenting
cabbage.
The water-filled bag seals the surface from exposure to air, and
prevents the growth of film yeast or molds.
It also serves as a weight.
For extra protection, the bag with the water in it can be placed
inside another plastic bag.
Any bag used should be of heavyweight, watertight plastic and intended
for use with foods.
The amount of water in the plastic bag can be adjusted to give
just enough pressure to keep the fermenting cabbage covered with
brine.
Formation of gas bubbles indicates fermentation is taking place.
A room temperature of 68 to 72 [degrees] F. is best for fermenting
cabbage.
Fermentation is usually completed in 5 to 6 weeks.
To Store: Heat sauerkraut to simmering (185 to 210 [degrees] F.)
Do not boil.
Pack hot sauerkraut into clean, preheated jars and cover with hot
juice to 1/2 inch of top of jar.
Fill and close jars. Process 15 minutes for pints and 20 minutes
for quarts.
Cool, test for seal and store.
Makes about 18 quarts.
For information on preheating jars and processing, I would consult
a cookbook or call the Ball company for a booklet.
Maybe they have a website--they're the people who make the canning
and freezing supplies.
The book I have is 1974, so there might even be some shortcuts or
newer methods.
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