Since ancient times, sauerkraut was considered one of the main food products of the Slavic peoples, especially in the winter, because then the body requires more vitamins. Despite the rather simple preparation of sauerkraut, it was still not considered a food product of ordinary people. Only kings could grow cabbages on their plots of land, which they called skits then. Only family and prince's squads could eat it, because they believed that cabbage would give excellent health and strength. In addition, the useful properties of sauerkraut saved many Russian pilgrims from scurvy.
Before the appearance of cabbage, the Slavs fermented wild herbs. Cabbage came to the Russian people 300 years before Genghis Khan's offensive, and obviously our ancestors well learned the process of salting long before him.
Ungrateful business will be counting dishes that are made from sauerkraut.
In addition to existing recipes, many masters necessarily ennoble sauerkraut and dishes from it with something of their own. Among the spices that are added to the dishes with cabbage, you can find a variety of peppers, bay leaves, sugar, cumin, coriander, anise, cloves, ginger, etc. The cooking methods are also quite different: with the addition of vinegar, pasteurization, pouring boiling brine and other
But the "standard" recipe does exist: you need to chop the sauerkraut, add salt and knead it well, to let it drip the juice, then add the grated carrots. After that, tightly put in a barrel or other large container, pre-laying the bottom with cabbage leaves. Above cover cabbage leaves in addition, put a clean cheesecloth and press down with oppression.
The duration of fermentation depends on the temperature, for example, at room temperature, cabbage will be sour for about a week, if the air is cool - a little longer. In order to eliminate the unpleasant odor and possible bitterness, during ripening pierce the cabbage several times with a sharp object. After pickling, the cabbage is kept in a cool place, without removing the pressure.
During preparation, sauerkraut acquires organic acids - lactic and acetic, also accumulates even more vitamins, including vitamins C, K and B. In addition, it contains a number of minerals - calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, phosphorus , copper, silicon, etc.
A lot can be said about the beneficial properties of sauerkraut, in addition to vitamins and microelements it is also known that it has a general restorative, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and even analgesic effect and promotes adjustment of acid-base balance, digestion, normalization of cholesterol and blood sugar. Therefore, it is recommended to use sauerkraut to people who have problems with metabolism, GIT, patients with diabetes mellitus.
According to some laboratory data, sour cabbage contains such useful substances that can stop the process of vital activity of malignant cells, especially in the lungs, intestines, mammary glands.
According to recent studies in the field of therapy, there are data on the positive effects of sauerkraut in the treatment of avian influenza.
As for traditional medicine, it is generally a separate story, which appropriates sauerkraut miraculous properties. Many healers recommend the use of sour cabbage juice and directly cabbage itself with any ailments - from ARI to severe chronic diseases (asthma, epilepsy).
In addition, sauerkraut has a very positive effect on men's health. Doctors of traditional medicine assure that the regular use of sauerkraut, its juice, significantly increases the potency and keeps it until adulthood. For women, cabbage can completely replace any cosmetic mask and will provide velvety skin to the face, its elasticity, and also will save pigment spots, blackheads.
However, not all properties of sauerkraut are useful. This product contains a high amount of organic acids, which is contraindicated in people with increased gastric acidity, suffering from diseases of kidney failure, pancreas, hypertension and gallstones.
For those who believe in dreams, disappointing news: if you dream about cabbage, there may be little trouble ...
We wish you always good health, and pleasant dreams!