Going Awry

In the last little while, I have been researching and executing lacto-fermentation. Basically, it is the making of sauerkraut or other simple culture foods for the enzyme and probiotic benefit.  Saturday was my first big push at starting the adventure in fermenting things.

I borrowed one my mother-in-law's huge enamel crocks when we were up at their farm for Thanksgiving.  My dearest love, (AKA code name 'S') helped me sterilize it and set it up to receive about 10 pounds of cabbage.  I boiled and sanitized all of the chopping utensils and boards - not to mention the counters, weights for the crock and my hands.

I chopped and chopped.  I weighed and measured out salt. I stuffed and stuffed. I chopped and then chopped some more. It wasn't more than two hours all together, really. In the end the humongous crock was full of salted cabbage. I weighed it down like the internet directions said. I waited for a few hours to see if there would be enough cabbage/salt juices to cover itself. When there wasn't about an hour before bedtime I added some brine. I covered it and let it set to ferment.  I was thrilled with the progress and excited to wait for the prescribed time for my lovely sauerkaut.

Then today happened.

I was merrily going about making some blueberry lacto-ferment jam (which should be ready in only a day or so!!!), keeping the kids relatively happy and engaged in their activities, and making sure the cheerios that had been spilled at breakfast were at least contained and not becoming dust tracked about the house.

Things were looking up, and then I looked down.  There was a mysterious puddle underneath the babe's bouncy chair.  What in the world could it be? There was nothing on the chair that could have leaked, and no other signs as to what it could be. I bent to wipe it up and then I saw it. The crock of sauerkraut was full to the brim and overflowing like a waterfall. DRAT. It was so full and heavy that all I could do was wipe around it and wait until S came home to help out.

I had gotten most of the cabbage juice mess cleaned up. I wasn't happy about how it all turned out, but it reminded me that even when we have the best intentions and do things exactly to 'the plan', it doesn't always work out.  It's a simple lesson that I've experienced hundreds of times, but I guess I needed another reminder - perhaps, poignantly as I was carrying out the beginning step of what will likely be a 'forever change' in our eating habits.

It was as if God was saying, even in this area of your life, you still need me as your Saviour.   Sigh. How true.

Now, only a few hours away from bedtime, the mess is contained, the cabbage is still fermenting and my expectations (and pride) are back in check. Hopefully, it will still turn out in the end. If not - lesson learned - WAIT longer before adding more brine!

xo,
J

soli deo gloria