Homesteader Depot

Tag: fermentation

  • How to Ferment Vegetables

    How to Ferment Vegetables

    Fermenting vegetables grown in your garden accomplishes two things at once. First, it enhances the nutritional value of the vegetables by preserving them at their peak. Second, it preserves the vegetables, so you can enjoy them all winter long.

    The process used for fermenting vegetables is simple. You need the right equipment and the right ingredients – and before you know it, you’ll have a pantry full of delicious, fermented vegetables for your family to eat.

    Fermentation Equipment

    The equipment you need to ferment vegetables is minimal and inexpensive. Here are the basic things you’ll need to have on hand:

    • Jars or containers to put the vegetables and pickling brine in
    • A sharp knife and cutting board for preparing the vegetables
    • Airlock tops (we like ones that are compatible with Mason jars) to keep oxygen out of the jars
    • A pickle packer (usually a wooden stick used to pack the prepared vegetables into the jar)
    • Weights to weigh down the vegetables

    You can buy these items individually or in fermentation packages.  Here is an easy, complete Fermentation Kit from Amazon you can try.

    Fermentation Ingredients

    The ingredients you need to ferment vegetables depend on the method you plan to use. However, there are only a few variations you need to know about. Here’s what you’ll need:

    1. Fresh vegetables from your garden
    2. Salt, whey, or a starter culture
    3. Water

    There are many types of salt, but some are better suited to fermentation than others. Two of our favorites are sea salt and Himalayan pink salt. Both add a nice flavor. You can also buy pickling salt although it’s not the best choice if you want a natural, minimally-processed salt.

    The water you choose for pickling can make a big difference in the final product. If you use tap water, you should boil it or run it through a reverse-osmosis filter for the best results. Well water often has a high mineral content. That can be good for some kinds of fermentation but it’s not particularly good for some fermented products like kombucha.

    How to Prepare the Vegetables

    The method you use to prepare your vegetables for fermentation depends on what you’ll be preserving. Some vegetables, such as cabbage, ferment most effectively when they are shredded. Others, like cherry tomatoes, can be fermented whole.

    It may take some trial and error to arrive at the proper preparation. You may want to start by fermenting just one type of vegetable. Later, you can mix vegetables to create pickled salads that are ready to eat out of the jar.

    The Pickling Process

    The next step is after you have prepared the vegetables is to place them in the jars, cover them with brine, and weight them so they can ferment properly.

    You want to use weights on top of the vegetables, so they stay submerged in the brine. That’s a very important step that some first-time fermenters skip.

    There’s an art to knowing when vegetables are done with fermentation. You’ll have to rely on the specific recipes you use to be sure when they’re done. They need to be kept in an anaerobic environment (air free) while they ferment.

    When they are ready, you’ll be able to remove the weights, seal the jars, and put them in cold storage. Prepared properly, fermented vegetables will keep for months.

    Wondering What to Make?

    If you’re wondering where to start, here are some suggestions for easy fermentation:

    • White or red cabbage (sauerkraut)
    • Kimchi (spicy Korean cabbage)
    • Pickled green beans
    • Pickled tomatoes
    • Fermented carrot sticks or slices

    Do you have a favorite recipe for fermented vegetables? Tell us about it in the comments!

  • 5 Simple Methods to Preserve Food

    5 Simple Methods to Preserve Food

    As a homesteader, you know that it’s important to know how to preserve food. Very few of us live in a climate where we can grow food year-round. During the colder months, true self-sufficiency requires a working knowledge of food preservation methods.

    That’s why we’ve put together a list of methods you can use to preserve food. Whether you’re looking for methods to preserve fruits and vegetables from your garden, items you’ve foraged, or animals that you’ve caught while hunting or fishing, we’ve got you covered.

    Method #1: Canning

    Canning is probably the most popular form of preserving food. It’s also one of the more expensive methods, but the initial investment can pay for itself rather quickly.

    To can food, you’ll need a canner. You’ll also need to invest in a collection of glass jars, canning rings, and lids.

    The benefit of canning food is that you can preserve it at its peak. Canning can be used to make jam, jelly, salsa, and other condiments.

    Method #2: Fermentation

    The next preservation method you may want to consider is fermentation. Fermentation involves preparing vegetables, placing them in brine, weighing them down, and allowing them time to ferment in an anaerobic environment.

    The brine may contain salt, whey, or a fermentation starter. Some popular fermented recipes include sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables.

    Method #3: Dehydration

    One method we really like is dehydration. It’s a favorite because it can be used to dry fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish – and you don’t need any special equipment to do it.

    Of course, you can invest in a food dehydrator if you want. However, you don’t need to. Most foods can be dehydrated in a low oven. Simply marinate or season the food how you like. Then place it in a 150-degree oven for the specified time. For example, jerky takes eight to ten hours in the oven.

    Drying foods in a food dehydrator may take less time than doing it in an oven. If you think you’ll be doing a lot of dehydration, it may make sense to buy a dehydrator. This is a time-consuming process, but dehydrated foods are shelf-stable – a big plus if you have limited refrigerator and freezer space.

    Dehydrated foods can be stored in airtight bags, jars, or in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Some popular dehydrated foods include dried fruit, dried vegetables, and jerky.

    Method #4: Freezing

    Freezing food is a classic method of preserving it, but it has its limitations. If you’ve got a reliable source of power and a big freezer, all you’ll need is some plastic wrap and plastic bags and a permanent marker to label your food.

    There are some downsides to consider. If you lose power for an extended period, you run the risk of losing any food that you have frozen. You shouldn’t have to worry about freezer burn if your food is properly wrapped before you freeze it, but it can be time-consuming to portion out food, wrap it, label it, and freeze it.

    We like freezing for meat and fish. It can also be a great way to preserve delicate herbs from your garden. For example, we’ve made pesto with fresh basil and garlic and then frozen it in ice cube trays. That way, we have fresh pesto even in the middle of winter.

    Method #5: Root Cellaring

    In the days before refrigeration, storing hardy vegetables in a root cellar was the best way to keep them fresh over the winter.

    Not all vegetables are suited to this preservation method. Some that are include potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, cabbages, and apples.

    If your home already has a cellar, you may be able to use it for storing produce over the winter. If not, consider digging a small cellar to ensure you have food to eat all year round.

    Do you have a favorite food preservation tip that we haven’t mentioned? Share it in the comments!

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