Uncle Bill'S Sauerkraut With Wine
- 4 medium green cabbage, about 2 1/2 pounds each
- 8 tablespoons coarse pickling salt
- 3 large sweet red peppers, seeded and sliced, about 1/4 inch thick
- 4 cups cold water
- 2 cups dry white wine
- Break away any bad outside leaves and discard.
- Rinse cabbage under cold running water.
- Cut cabbage heads into quarters.
- Do not use cores, discard them after shredding.
- Finely shred cabbage or slice with a good sharp knife.
- In a large crock, layer with 2 inches of shredded cabbage.
- Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of pickling salt.
- Place sliced pieces of one red pepper over.
- Repeat layering until all cabbage, salt and red pepper are used up.
- There should be about 4 layers.
- Pour water over cabbage.
- Now pour the wine over cabbage.
- Place a large plate to cover most of the top surface of the cabbage.
- Place a 4 to 5 pound clean rock (cleaned and washed and soaked in white vinegar) on top of the plate as a weight.
- If liquid does not come to the surface, just add a bit more cold water (or wine if you prefer.) Cover top with several layers of cheesecloth and tie with a good string so the cloth does not fall off.
- Leave cabbage to ferment for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm area (70 F to 75 F) or until it starts to foam around the edges of the plate.
- Move the crock to a cooler area (about 60 F to 65 F) and continue to ferment for another 2 weeks.
- At this time, taste to see if the sauerkraut is curing.
- When it suits your taste, pack the sauerkraut and some liquid into 12 sterilized quart size jars leaving a 1/2" head space.
- Wipe jar rims clean.
- Prepare and place lids according to manufacturers instructions.
- Place screw lids on just finger tight.
- Process in boiling water in a canner for 25 minutes.
- Remove jars and allow to cool for 12 hours.
- Check to see if all jars are sealed.
- Lids should be concave (curved down).
- Re-process jars that are not sealed, but remember to change with new lids.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
green cabbage, coarse pickling salt, sweet red peppers, cold water, white wine
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/uncle-bills-sauerkraut-with-wine-46205 (may not work)