Sauerkraut, Love It or Hate It
By Dr. Ann
@drannhh (15219)
United States
May 24, 2018 5:03pm CST
I used to hate sauerkraut when ilI thought it grew in cans. Then we tried some "fresh" from a deli and it was actually, OK, sort of. But a couple years ago a cute little old lady was selling her homemade sauerkraut at a rummage sale and giving out little samples. Oh my, were they good. I bought two bags at $5 (USD) and went home and looked up DIY sauerkraut on the internet. While not as good as hers my very first batch was light years better than any store-bought sauerkraut I had ever tried and, sorry Dad, but also much better than the home-made sauerkraut my father used to make, although I give him points for trying.
But I have been practicing and now I have it down. Pictured, I hope, as this is the first time I've tried to start a discussion on this tablet using the mobile app which appears to be vastly improved over the last time I tried it on a phone or tablet, below is my meal of cheesy frambled eggs, turkey, and potatoes. On the fork is what is left of the generous side of drannhh's delicious blend of brined and home fermented cabbage, celery, and red sweet pepper.
I am so proud of myself for learning how to make this easy and delicious food which is super healthy and easy on the wallet. Do you love or hate sauerkraut? Is there a special food that you make better than anybody?
11 people like this
12 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
24 May 18
I love good sauerkraut but that is one thing I have never been able to make right. I gave up because I got tired of wasting good cabbage. I now buy the raw (unpasteurized!) kind and am content with that.
I do make butter and everyone loves it. I have made it all my life but quit when I couldn't find raw milk. It's way too expensive to buy cream from the store for butter. I finally found a farmer who sold shares of milk cows so now I have my own milk and cream. Butter is so good and good for you, too.
3 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
25 May 18
@drannhh I grew up on a ranch but we had a couple of milk cows (big family) so there was always milk, butter, cream and cottage cheese. As the oldest of the kids, I learned how to use.
It's great to make your own food, no matter what it is. It always tastes better than anything you can buy.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
2 Jun 18
I've always liked it but hate trying to spell it. I have seen videos on DIY but never tried it to make it.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Jun 18
You can abbreviate the spelling to "kraut" and people will know what you mean. If you like the store bought, you will love your own. The juice from it is basically kvass and I love kvass, so instead of squishing the cabbage I just cover it completely with salt water and some juice from the last batch if I have it. Since it is submerged in the brine there is no possibility of spoilage and after 3 days on the counter and a month or so in the refrigerator I can harvest both the kvass and the kraut. I don't know why so many other people don't do it that way. In the unlikely event it doesn't get eaten, it lasts for months. Not forever, but up to a year! Not in my house, though.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
3 Jun 18
@1hopefulman Yes, Felix, it can be made without salt even, but what I do is reduce the salt after it has fermented by taking just the amount I am going to eat out of the jar and rinsing it with water and draining before putting it on my plate to eat. That way it still tastes good because it does have just a little salt.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
3 Jun 18
@drannhh Good to know! Can it be made with just a little salt for those that have high blood pressure?
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
4 Jun 18
Sauerkraut is a great way to get good bacteria to our digestion - very healthy food, like other fermented ones..
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
5 Jun 18
@drannhh I read that the Japanese use fermented soy.. I think it is called Natto.. It is supposed to be healthier than ordinary soy beans..??
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
5 Jun 18
@buenavida Yes, as long as it is consumed in moderation and in an iodine rich diet and they do not use gmso modified soybeans. Same with miso and tamari, and naturally fermented soy sauce as opposed to the junk they sell here and call soy sauce.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
5 Jun 18
Yes @buenavida I like kefir and kvass, too, as well as other fermented foods.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 May 18
@Happy2BeMe Does he prefer it hot ?? or cold ? ?
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
24 May 18
I like sauerkraut on occasion. I like cole slaw better.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 May 18
@starmaiden I like Coleslaw too. You have a cute user name.
1 person likes this
Thank you! I chose it at random. 
@popciclecold (35111)
• United States
25 May 18
Not to swift on it. Maybe I need some of yours.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 May 18
@popciclecold I think so and I'll that you would prefer to eat yours icy cold. I know I do.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
24 May 18
I never had it but I think I wont hate it because I love Kimchi and I think it looks similar to slawsa.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 May 18
Yes @CaptAlbertWhisker I like Kimchi too. Some people cook their sauerkraut, but I like mine lightly fermented and cold. If you like Slawsa you would love my pepperkraut.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 May 18
@CaptAlbertWhisker Sort of, yes. I have started putting black pepper in my kraut, but not yet the other spices.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
25 May 18
@drannhh So what does it taste like? Kimchi with no spice? I curious because I do love pickling veggies,
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Jun 18
My husband loves it. I can take it or leave it, to me it is so so.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
22 Jun 18
Hi Anne Marie @LeaPea2417 I think it might be a genetic thing because scientists have found that one food taste different to different people based on their DNA. Something that tastes sweet to your husband might taste sour to you.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38659)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Jun 18
I enjoy sauerkraut but I'm not sure if be interested in learning how to make it . That could change one I'm retired, maybe. I've never considered having it with eggs. That sounds a bit weird except I've fried/sauteed zucchini and summer squash with onion to put in my omelettes, yum.
A few years ago we had a lot of pork loin given to us an I cooked it in the Crock-Pot with sauerkraut. That was even better than I expected. So much that my daughter even said she liked it for a change. After the second or third time making it that way she informed me she wouldn't like sauerkraut that much to have it often, 
.
As far as what I can make. I can do a nice pierogi. I make mine with cottage cheese and either chives or onions. Haven't made them in years.
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As far as what I can make. I can do a nice pierogi. I make mine with cottage cheese and either chives or onions. Haven't made them in years.1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
1 Jun 18
Pierogi appeals to me very much with cottage cheese or Labne and leeks or chives. I have made it before, but it takes me more time than I usually have. The mason jar recipes on Pinterest are helpful for easy sauerkraut, but mine almost makes itself because I skip most of the steps. I wish I had known how to do this before I retiring.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
3 Jun 18
I could never stomach the smell or taste of sauerkraut, my grandmothers were from Germany and ate it all the time. My mom used to make it for my dad and there was just no way I could eat it. My grand mother also made Chop Suey and that I loved. I think I make it pretty darn close to hers.
1 person likes this
