EASY HOME-CANNED SAUERKRAUT

Easy Home-Canned Sauerkraut image

Homemade cabbage sauerkraut that can be made in small batches and home-canned that is every bit as delicious as the more extensive and time-consuming recipes.

Provided by Emily Tisdale

Time P6DT13h10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 3

Ingredients

3 medium heads cabbage, finely shredded
6 tablespoons pickling salt
water as needed

Steps:

Inspect 4 half-gallon glass jars for cracks. Clean jars and place right-side up on a rack in a large pot. Fill the jars and pot with water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes, then remove jars.
Firmly pack cabbage into the sterilized jars to within 2 inches of the top; you may only fill 3 jars. Add 2 tablespoons pickling salt to each jar, then pour in water to within 1 inch of the top. Place a clean paper towel on top of each jar and secure a rubber band to keep it in place.
Set jars in a baking dish (in case brine bubbles over during fermentation) at room temperature, and allow to sit for 6 days. Each day, skim and discard any mold from the surface, and press cabbage down under the liquid with a spoon. Replace paper towels if necessary.
When sauerkraut has fermented, inspect 12 pint-sized jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water for 10 minutes. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
Skim and discard any mold from the surface of the sauerkraut. Firmly pack sauerkraut into the hot, sterilized pint jars to within 1 inch of the top. Pour brine over the sauerkraut to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 15 minutes.
Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.4 calories, Carbohydrate 6.6 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 1.5 g, Sodium 1764.5 mg, Sugar 3.6 g