Alex Lewin's Fermented Carolina Slaw

Carolina Slaw hails from …wait for it…the southeastern United States. Our friend Alex Lewin speculates that modern-day Carolina Slaw, soured with vinegar, is directly descended from an older type of cabbage slaw, soured instead by the action of friendly lactobacillus bacteria. Before the advent of refrigeration, fermentation would have been the only way to preserve cabbage in the warmer months. We appreciate very much, this old-timey fermented recipe for a coleslaw/sauerkraut hybrid creation, the perfect foil to barbecue in California, Carolina…and beyond!

Thanks, Alex, for sharing this recipe with us, and with the world, in your book Real Food Fermentation: Preserving Whole Fresh Food with Live Cultures in Your Home Kitchen, and for visiting us in the greenhouse to make this super tasty probiotic slaw. There were no leftovers.

Please note that the total fermentation times for this recipe are up to you, dear reader. While we often ferment sauerkraut for 2 or 3 weeks, this slaw is most delicious when it is a bit crunchier, perhaps less sour than a finished 3 week kraut. Alex recommends 4-7 days of fermentation before serving it up as slaw, with the additional ingredients. Use your discretion, but if you want that crunchy “slaw” texture, keep the fermentation times at less than a week.
Yield: 1 quart or 2 pounds

Directions

Thinly slice the cabbage, onion, and bell pepper.
Cut the carrots into coins.Grate the apple (if using), and celery root (if using).

In a large bowl, sprinkle the cabbage with sea salt and toss well. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes, then gently massage cabbage until a light brine forms.
Add the peppers, onion, apples, and celery root and toss to combine.
Pack the vegetable mixture into a mason jar, pressing firmly down to remove air bubbles and keep the brine level above the surface of the vegetables.
Secure the top of the jar with a fermentation airlock and set on the counter to ferment at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for about a week, or until the desired level of sourness is reached.
Once the vegetables are fermented, drain them in a colander set over a mixing bowl and press the liquid out with your hands, reserving the liquid.
To make the dressing, combine ½ cup of the reserved liquid with the honey, oil, dry mustard, and ginger, and whisk well. Add salt and pepper, or additional kraut liquid as needed.
The leftover fermentation liquid can be saved to mix with oil and spices to use as a salad dressing. It’s also excellent all by itself, as a shot in the morning, or before meals, to stimulate digestion.

Mix the dressing into the slaw mixture to taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve at room temperature. 

Over to You

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