Fermenting....

[KoolBak]

So got an old 4 gallon crock from dad in law....decided to make sauerkraut.....got 10 lbs going now....update in 2 weeks ;o) Anyone ever make this?

Wondering afterward if I should can via boil bath or pressure cooker.....new to me. Most say it will last 6 months as is jarred and in the fridge....makes me think cooking it (and resultant softening) via canning is unnecessary...

Of the thousands of jars of shit I've made and canned over the years, this is by far the easiest...cabbage and salt

[Dukasaur]

So got an old 4 gallon crock from dad in law....decided to make sauerkraut.....got 10 lbs going now....update in 2 weeks ;o) Anyone ever make this?

Wondering afterward if I should can via boil bath or pressure cooker.....new to me. Most say it will last 6 months as is jarred and in the fridge....makes me think cooking it (and resultant softening) via canning is unnecessary...

Of the thousands of jars of shit I've made and canned over the years, this is by far the easiest...cabbage and salt

Many years ago, when I was a kid, my parents made a batch of sauerkraut. It smelled ferociously. I wouldn't make this in the house if I were you. A chicken coop on the lower 40 is probably a good location...

Don't get me wrong, I love sauerkraut, but the fermenting process is similar to what happens in your gut. In other words, cabbage in a jar produces cabbage farts.

The way my parents did it was to put it in an oak cask, and not seal the top of the cask. A space was left so the cabbage farts could get out, and a big concrete block was put on top so the lid wouldn't blow off when they came up.

Cabbage and salt seems too simple. I'm pretty sure the traditional process involves shredded carrots and some spices, but I don't know what.

You don't need to cook it. Assuming you're producing enough vinegar, it should preserve itself. I'm not sure what the final pH should be, though. You'd have to look that up. The best sauerkraut is left crunch in the cask and only cooked before putting it on your plate.

[KoolBak]

Ph will be below 4.6, so good. No cooking to eat.....and yes it smells already...lol. Going in the shop....

Cabbage salt is all it takes...many old german recipes call for juniper berries and a very little other shit. One can add any veggies....I did throw some carrot in for color.....we shall see....

[warmonger1981]

I see you have posted a picture of the famous Redwing pottery. Made in my home state of Minnesota. Been to Redwing many times. Just went down there a month ago to do some fishing. Sturgeon and Catfish on the great Mississippi.

[KoolBak]

The crock I scored is identical to that....very cool....

Go Go Gadget Fisherboy! I know we got monster sturgeon in the columbia....can't imagine what you got in Ole Miss There's a bar near my house that has an old pic of a team of horses that they used to fish for sturgeon in the old days....pulling a freaking monster out the river....amazing.

Edit: I found it online!



And check this out....

[warmonger1981]

My buddy pulled out a 55 inch Sturgeon. My biggest is 34 inch. My biggest Catfish is only about 30 inch. The walleye I caught in Mille Lacs is 27 inch. Not a real big fisherman but I do enjoy it. Just got back 2 weeks ago from a Boundary Waters trip on the Canadian border. We like to canoe back a ways where motorized boats are not allowed. Good times.

[KoolBak]

I don't fish (EVER)....I hunt, primarily upland fowl.... but a bunch of my buds fish....A LOT.....and are always griping about the sturgeon...think its a 1 fish per year limit and something like 40-54 inches only....the 55 would have to be thrown back here.

And a 30 inch catfish? Gods....never seen em over 12

One bud has his commercial boat moored at the coast year round....they typically get 500 pounds plus, each, of tuna and whitefish and tons of crab......I like drinking beer on a boat, but I'm not invited as....I DONT FISH.....lol

Canoe trip sounds killer.....

[2dimes]

Any of them chase trout?

I guess that explains you not acknowledging my questions about fishing and camping at your retreat.

[KoolBak]

Honestly I don't recall that (I blame whisky)....Welcome there any time bud....it's 7 miles from both the Prineville and Ochoco Reservoirs....and a small day trip up to Walton Lake...very cool....

Click image to enlarge.