RED CABBAGE KIMCHI

Red Cabbage Kimchi image

When we think of kimchi we tend to picture the classic kind found in Asian supermarkets, which is made primarily with Napa cabbage stained red from the chili powder and pungent with garlic. Interestingly, although that is indisputably the most popular variation, kimchi can be made with a wide array of vegetables and spices, with regional variations that affect the ingredients used and levels of heat and spice. Here we've used red cabbage for two reasons. The first is because we like its sweet flavor and slightly sturdy texture. The second, more practical, reason is that these fermented pickles are generally deemed ready when enough lactic acid is produced to change the pH from 6.5 to approximately 3.5\. Red cabbage juice changes color at this pH and becomes a bright reddish-purple, giving you a visual cue when fermentation is complete. Kimchi is a surprisingly good condiment for grilled hot dogs. It is a great way to doctor up packaged ramen at home. In place of coleslaw on a sandwich, it can add an unexpected kick to anything from corned beef on rye to pulled pork on soft white bread. Its heat and tang are wonderful for cutting through rich ingredients, and as a substitute for sauerkraut in choucroute, it is utterly delicious.

Yield makes 4 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

1 large head red cabbage
1 cup plus 2 teaspoons/300 grams fine sea salt
6 1/2 quarts/6,000 grams water
1 cup/200 grams sugar
2 bunches (4 1/2 ounces scallions), root ends trimmed
2 bunches (11 ounces) watercress, root ends trimmed
1 large (1 1/3 pounds/615 grams) Korean radish, peeled and grated (you may substitute daikon if you can't locate Korean radish)
6 (1 3/4 pounds) Anjou pears, peeled and grated
5 1/4 ounces/150 grams ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
3 heads garlic, peeled
1/2 cup/150 grams fish sauce
1/4 cup/75 grams shrimp paste
4 teaspoons/8 grams cayenne pepper
5 teaspoons/10 grams crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

Cut the cabbage into quarters through its core. Cut the core out of each quarter. Cut each quarter cabbage into 4 sections lengthwise.
In a large bowl or plastic container, dissolve the salt in the water; then add the cabbage, breaking it apart as you add it to the brine. Use several plates to weigh the cabbage down so it is submerged in the solution. Let the cabbage soak for at least 6 hours and preferably overnight (10 to 12 hours).
Remove the cabbage from the brine and spin it in a salad spinner to remove the excess moisture. Place the drained cabbage in a large bowl and toss it with the sugar. Make sure the cabbage is evenly coated with the sugar.
Cut the scallions and the watercress into 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) sections and put them in a food processor. Process until finely minced. Combine the scallions and watercress with the cabbage, then add the grated radish and pears. Toss the mixture to thoroughly combine.
Put the ginger, garlic, fish sauce, shrimp paste, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour over the cabbage mixture, using a large spoon to stir until the puree and the vegetables are evenly combined. Pack the mixture into a nonreactive container and cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a lid. Let the cabbage sit at room temperature for 2 to 6 days, depending on the temperature of the room. (A cooler room will take more time; a warmer room will take less.) The kimchi will be ready when the mixture changes to a uniform purple color throughout. Bubbles will be visible in the kimchi and it will have a pH of 4.5 or lower.
When the kimchi is ready, pack it into jars and refrigerate. The kimchi will continue to mature and ferment in the refrigerator, though this will happen much more slowly in the cold environment. The kimchi should be eaten within 3 to 4 weeks.