4 servings One of our favorite uses for sauerkraut. For Reuben Fritters, substitute 4 ounces diced corned beef or pastrami for the cooked bacon and serve with Russian Dressing. If not using bacon, begin the recipe where everything is mixed together in a bowl. Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
5 pounds firm, unblemished green or red cabbage heads, outer leaves removed
2 tablespoons pickling salt or fine sea salt, or 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Diamond kosher salt (35g)
4 cups distilled or charcoal-filtered water
1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons pickling salt or fine sea salt, or 3 tablespoons Diamond kosher salt (25g)
Sub-recipe steps
Quarter: 5 pounds firm, unblemished green or red cabbage heads, outer leaves removed
Cut out the cores and thinly shred the cabbage. Dice or julienne the cores and add them to the shredded cabbage as well. Place the cabbage in a large bowl with: 2 tablespoons pickling salt or fine sea salt, or 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Diamond kosher salt (35g)
Massage the cabbage with your hands to release its water. Continue until there is enough water in the bowl to cover the cabbage once it is packed into a crock or jar. This may take as little as 15 or as long as 30 minutes.
Pack the kraut into a small ceramic crock or a half-gallon mason jar. Press down firmly to submerge the cabbage beneath the brine. If the cabbage has not released enough liquid to stay submerged, make a brine of: 4 cups distilled or charcoal-filtered water; 1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons pickling salt or fine sea salt, or 3 tablespoons Diamond kosher salt (25g)
Pour this brine over the cabbage to cover it. Weight the cabbage to keep it submerged beneath the brine. You can use a freezer-safe zip-top bag (freezer-safe bags are more durable) filled partially with brine of the same strength as you used for the cabbage, above. The bag will conform to the shape of the container you use and is easy to manipulate. Or use specially made fermentation weights or a whole cabbage leaf. Cover the crock or vessel to keep out flies, but make sure it can breathe. You may use a square of kitchen towel secured with a rubber band or string, or use specially made fermentation airlocks. If using a crock with a water moat and lid, simply place the lid on top and fill the moat with water.
Check the kraut every couple days. Within a few days, it should start to bubble—this is an indicator that fermentation has begun. Stir or compress the kraut regularly (the carbon dioxide generated during fermentation often pushes the kraut above the brine if it is not heavily weighted). If scum forms on top, simply scrape it off and discard, then press the kraut beneath the brine again. When the bubbling slows, start to taste the kraut (you can taste it before this point, of course, but this is when the kraut becomes noticeably more sour). When you really like how it tastes, it’s done. To store, see here.
4 ounces Swiss cheese, Emmenthaler, or Gruyère, cut into ¼-inch cubes
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup dry bread crumbs or panko
(2 tablespoons minced dill)
(2 teaspoons caraway seeds)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sour cream or plain yogurt
Whole-grain mustard
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.
(4 slices bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces)
1 2 cups drained sauerkraut, store-bought or homemade
4 ounces Swiss cheese, Emmenthaler, or Gruyère, cut into ¼-inch cubes
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup dry bread crumbs or panko
(2 tablespoons minced dill)
(2 teaspoons caraway seeds)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sour cream or plain yogurt
Whole-grain mustard
Let's Cook
Step 1.
If desired, cook until crisp in a medium skillet: (4 slices bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces)
Step 2.
Transfer the bacon to a large bowl. Pour the bacon fat into another bowl and deglaze any browned bits in the skillet with a little water, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spoon. Add the pan juices to the bowl with the bacon along with: 2 cups drained sauerkraut, store-bought or homemade; 4 ounces Swiss cheese, Emmenthaler, or Gruyère, cut into ¼-inch cubes; 2 large eggs, beaten; ½ cup dry bread crumbs or panko; (2 tablespoons minced dill); (2 teaspoons caraway seeds); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Step 3.
Add the bacon fat back to the skillet or add: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Step 4.
Set the skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the sauerkraut mixture in batches (using a ¼-cup measure) to the skillet. Flatten the cakes slightly with a spatula and pan-fry until golden on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until well browned. Transfer to the baking sheet lined with paper towels and keep warm in the oven. Cook the remaining mixture. Serve with: Sour cream or plain yogurt; Whole-grain mustard
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