Saturday, July 30, 2011

Sauerkraut and Teaching Day :o)

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Today was a good and productive day! :o) It's still hot as all get out in NC, but when you set your mind to do something you get your buns out of bed and get that early start!  Here was another day to rise and shine at 7 am..get a quick fast breakfast  (two neesie sausages sandwiches, tomorrow with biscuits :o). and head out to the Farmers Market in hopes of finding some nice cabbage to make some Sauerkraut, (I grew a lot but it was not enough )
:o(...also take along a First Cousin..to learn from start to finish the steps of Kraut making :o) ( by now I'm almost an expert :o)  (to her anyway).  I got a nice deal with my cabbage purchase and saw some that was nicer after the purchase (isn't that always the way :o(   We made it home without melting, and got started with the slicing and pressing...First Cousin was really enthused about learning to make Kraut and was a great big help. She chopped the cores out, I shredded in the processor and she emptied the cabbage into the Crock and followed instructions of  adding salt,sugar,vinegar,caraway seeds and Press :o)...We had just enough cabbage to fill up the crock and we were both thrilled to be done...now waiting for the fermenting...I wanted First Cousins face to remain private...(She is younger than me :o(  While working we discussed "Making Homemade Butter" and have it with our corn that we purchased  last month and froze. She was excited to learn how simple it was to make butter, before I knew it, she was calling to say " I made my Butter " :o) and sounded all giggly and excited that she had done it..
Today I'm her hero :o)

16 comments:

ladydi said...

That sounds like a really fun day! (you're my hero every day because of the way you beat the odds two years ago, and are still taking such good care of yourself and Cecil)

Annie*s Granny said...

It's nice of you to share your knowledge. I'm sure First Cousin appreciated it!

Mrs.Pickles said...

Making kraut in a crock and fresh butter makes you my hero too! Hats off to you!

Melodye said...

You are truly a Titus 2:6 woman. Every time I read one of these posts this scripture comes to mind. Did I tell you I'm going back through your blog and putting all your tips and recipes into a separate file. Then I'm going to print them. I'd hate for my computer to die and I'd lose them.

Jody said...

Well how about that. Belle was up around 7:00 AM this morning too. Only instead of making kraut, she was bottling it. She finished with 7 quarts. Happy fermenting.

Kris said...

Sounds like you had a productive day. I am with you on the heat, it is pretty hot down here too.

Robin said...

It sounds like you had a fun and productive day!

Mr. H. said...

Won't be long before we too start working on some kraut. I have never added the caraway seeds to ours and will have to do so this year. It is so very good that you were able to teach another how to do this...that is what we need more of in this world before this wonderful food preperation knowledge is lost to us forever.

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

Ladydi, It was a fun day, and it's nice to hear that I'm your hero too :o) with all these praises I can't wear a hat :o)

Annie's Granny,I was happy to share the knowledge and I know it will be passed on by First Cousin.

Mrs Pickles, it was a fun day for both of us..even Cecil enjoyed being the "clean up guy" ;o)

Melodye, I had to look up Titus 2:6 and still missed it, but thanks for the well wishes ..I'd hate to die and you didn't get any of it :o(

Jody, usually I'm behind or missed it , this time I got there :o)..hopefully I'll have a few bottles to do...Ask Bell if she used the fermenting water or all fresh to bottle? I need to know.

Kris; it was a productive day and I'm going to behave myself real good, I don't want to be sent anywhere that's hotter than here :o)

Robin, We had fun and the work went very quickly.

Mr.H. The caraway seeds made it smell so good too! I have to say "Amen" to your statement, some don't like to share, they are afraid you will gain something and they won't , that's how it gets lost.

Connie said...

Ginny the teacher--that doesn't surprise me at all! I've known for quite some time that you're very wise. :-)

Have a nice day, Ginny.

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

Daisy, I'm glad you think I'm wise and not just a smarty pants :o)

Matron said...

I've never made sauerkraut. It seems that so many old European dishes came to America and are being kept alive by American home cooks!

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

Matron, that's what Americans are mostly made up of
old Europeans and old Indians :o)

Jody said...

Hi Ginny, I asked Belle and she said that she boiled the kraut in the fermented juice. She said that she read some people rinse their kraut and use fresh water, but to her that would just water down the rich flavor.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

How wonderful! That is so important that someone learns these wonderful skills from you! blessings, Kathleen

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

Jody,
I wholeheartedly agree with Belle, that would defeat the whole purpose of fermenting (I think) otherwise just boil them in jars from the beginning. My crock kraut is doing well and so are the jars..the crock has already shrunk and starting to give off a whiff or two and I'm smiling :o)

Kathleen, glad to be able to pass it on to willing hands.