Search

Random Recipe

Lacto Fermented Vegetables

Lacto Fermented VegetablesLacto-Fermenation is one of the oldest food preservation methods still regularly used. It is not Witchcraft or Sorcery and it's effective tasty and pretty much bullet proof. If it tastes good, then it's good. Plus the resultant pickles have the benefit of home made probiotics. Lacto-Fermentation has nothing to do with dairy products, the lacto refers to lactic acid. All fruits and vegetables have beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus on the surface. In an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment, these bacteria convert sugars into lactic acid, which inhibits harmful bacteria and acts as a preservative. It's also what gives fermented foods their characteristic sour flavour. The earliest record of fermentation dates back as far as 6000 B.C. in the Fertile Crescent -and nearly every civilization since has included at least one fermented food in its culinary heritage. From Korean kimchi and Indian chutneys to the ubiquitous sauerkraut.
This recipe uses immature marrow as it's been quite a year for marrow in the Yorkshire area, but the season is coming to an end and you might find yourself with quite a number of small marrows which either are unlikely to ripen, or you've simply had you fill of their fully grow kin! But be adventurous, almost any vegetable can be Lacto-Fermented.
 
Ingredients:-
 
8 small Marrows thinly sliced into rounds
¼ of a medium sized red onion thinly sliced
3 garlic gloves smashed
2 teaspoons of grated ginger
About a pint of water
3 tablespoons of Sea Salt. Table salt will do but the anti-caking agents will result in a cloudy solution before the process is completed.
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
Large airtight jar
 
Method:-
 
(1) Thinly slice the Marrow into rounds (Use a mandolin to get a nice even slice, but don't slice the ends off your fingers! Or in my case the palm of your hand – Don't ask...).
(2) Add the Marrow rounds to a large jar or split between smaller jars.
(3) Add the red onion, garlic and ginger.
(4) Make the salt water brine by mixing ½ cup of warm water with the salt and stir until the salt has dissolved.
(5) Add the remaining water to the salt water once the salt has dissolved. Add the turmeric and mix well.
(6) Pour the brine into the jar with the Marrow etc. There should be enough to submerge the Marrow under the brine. If not, make more brine and add it to the jar.
(7) Seal the jar and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for 3-7 days.
(8) Once the brine is cloudy, try a Marrow to see if it's ready. It should be sour and smell like pickles.
(9) Provided that the contents are submerged your pickle will last for months. Although this is unlikely unless your really don't like pickles. If this is the case you might ask yourself why you made them in the first place!

On Facebook

Cheats Casserole

Details
Category: Recipes
Cheats Casserole recipe - Eat well on Universal CreditCheats because we didn't have 4 hours to spare so Sue accelerated the cooking time – see below.... We raided the local Polish Deli and happened across some Kielbasa Jalowcowa which is a type of Polish sausage, usually served as a cold cut. It is made from cuts of lean pork seasoned with pepper, allspice, coriander, and garlic, packed into large casings, and smoked.
 
Ingredients:-
 
2 Potatoes pealed, cubed
2 Carrots sliced
¼ of a Swede pealed, cubed
½ a Celeriac pealed, cubed
1 handful of Mushrooms sliced
¼ of a white Cabbage sliced
4 Polish smoked Sausages
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
½ a tube of Tomato purée
1 Red Onion sliced
1 White Onion sliced
 
Seasoning:-
 
Mixed herbs
Paprika
Chilli flakes
Garlic salt
Black Pepper
2 cloves of Garlic minced
 
Method:-
 
(1) Parboil all the vegetables in salted water.
(2) Place the vegetables in a casserole dish and reserve the salted water.
(3) Add the Onions to the water and season with the Herbs, Garlic salt.
(4) Add the tinned Tomatoes and Tomato Purée and add the mushrooms
(5) Add the Sausage and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
(6)  Pour the sauce over the vegetables.
(7) Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour at 180c.
(8) Remove the foil for the last 20 minutes.
 
We served our casserole with Herby Garlic Bread and it was a real 'Winter Warmer' for a cold evening.

Social Links

Translate

English French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

Latest Recipes

Latest News