Scurvy, the disease that wiped out thousands of sailors is caused by a lack of vitamin C.
The 18th century explorer, James Cook was the first explorer to beat the scurvy epidemic that plagued long ocean voyages.
How did he do it?
Sauerkraut baby!
Nowadays scurvy is pretty low on our radar as far diseases go. However, we’ve all heard of the benefits of vitamin C for the immune system.
The vitamin C content of cabbage is pretty normal but once that cabbage gets fermented, the vitamin C content skyrockets.
The fermentation process that is used to make sauerkraut also brings with it other kinds of magic like:
it contains several strains of beneficial probiotics that do wonders for the immune system
it helps naturally curb sugar cravings
it is AMAZING for digestion
it contains tons of antioxidants
it is antimicrobial and antifungal
it contains isothiocyanates that may help protect against cancer
it is a prebiotic, which means it feeds the good bugs
So hopefully I’ve convinced you that sauerkraut is a serious superfood.
But the taste…
Perhaps you tried it and promptly gave away your jar? I hear that one a lot.
I’ve converted many, many kraut haters.
Here’s what you’ll do:
👉Mix it into salads. This mitigates the strong flavor. You can also blend sauerkraut into salad dressings reducing the amount of vinegar needed. See my Happy Gut Salad Dressing
👉Use it as a soup topper. I love adding kraut to a hearty vegetable soup or even to chowders to give a little zip. It’s a must on French onion soup.
👉Mix it into cream cheese. This is delicious and actually is tasty enough to serve as a hors d’oeuvre on crostini or crackers. My daughter mixes her sauerkraut in cottage cheese and has it for breakfast.
👉Mix it into hummus. This is a favorite breakfast of mine. It’s delicious on crisp bread or toast with some avocado and a bit of sharp mustard.
👉Mix it into ketchup. I particularly like this with eggs, burgers, dogs or tourtière. I also like adding in a little sriracha for some kick. See my Eggs With Greens Recipe.
👉Mix into salsa. The sour flavor of the kraut happily replaces some of the acid in any salsa recipe. I haven’t met a kid that won’t gobble this up with some nachos. I’m talking about my Quick Tasty Salsa Recipe
👉Mix it into tartar sauce to have with fish, poultry, in wraps or even legumes. Have you ever combined mayo and relish to make tartar sauce? Try elevating your tartar sauce by adding in some chopped kraut. See Kim’s Famous Tartar Recipe.
The way I see it, you have no more excuses to not incorporate this super food into your diet. particularly when our need for vitamin C is high.
Trust me when I tell you that it is an acquired taste and that in a very short time you will be craving it.
Cheers to making healthy delicious ❤️Consider sharing this with someone you love.
Reach out if you want more.
