How to Ferment Vegetables – Quick Start Guide
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Fermenting fruits and vegetables at home can be a daunting task. I know when I first started, I was afraid I was doing it all wrong. But, fermenting doesn't have to be frustrating! There is a simple technique that can be used to ferment almost everything!
Do you ever wonder how to ferment vegetables? Well, wonder no more!
You know we love fermenting foods at Oh Lardy! There are so many benefits to fermented foods, that we can't help but want to get them in our families' diets every day! And fermenting fruits and vegetables at home can be a simple and very economical way to do that.
I teach a lot of classes in my local area and always pass out this quick start guide to my students. I tell them to keep it in their kitchen and hopefully it will help guide them as they make their ferments! I have also included a quick YouTube video breaking down how to ferment fruits and vegetables at home easily!!
Check out my video demonstrating the Quick Start Guide!
You can print this guide and keep it in your kitchen for easy reference!
Does the topic of fermenting baffle you? We created a Fermenting eCourse just for you and when you sign up, we will send you a Quick Start Guide! Grab the eCourse and the guide here!
Wondering where to buy fermenting supplies?
Do you ferment? Any tips or tricks to share with us in the comments?
Love this! Fermenting is one thing I haven’t had the guts to try yet for some reason (weird, because I’m make all sorts of things homemade!), but you make it look super simple! I can’t wait to try it! Thank you!
It is super simple! Go for it!!!
Hi, I’m new to fermentation. I do not think it’s easy, I do not succeed. When I finally think I got it, it bubbled and smelled a little sour then it formed a thin white layer on top of the brine. I do not know why or what the reason was, I do not know what it is. But it does not look good. Can you explain why this happens and what it is?
Here is a link to a picture so you can see how it looked http://i57.tinypic.com/ixdoig.jpg
Sorry for my bad english, hope you understand what I write.
Hope you can help me 🙂
Have a nice day!
The white film can be skimmed off. It is fine and happens often in fermentation.
do you have to use mason jars ?
Can you re-use jars of food which you bought from the supermarket instead of throwing away?
You can use any jar with a good lid! Yes, a repurposed spaghetti sauce, pickle, etc. jar will work just fine!!!
How can I store this long term without refrigeration?
In order to slow the fermentation process down, you must refrigerate or keep in a cool place like a root cellar or unfinished part of the basement.
Is there any way you can keep vegetables under water with out weights my carrots came to top more after fermenting. Do you always need weights?
If you are having trouble keeping the veggies below the brine, then you will need some sort of a weight. I never have trouble with carrots though!
After the 4th day I opened them to try. I noticed how close they got to the top. If they were under water you could barely tell. Then I put them in fridge and they went down.
I put them in fridge and they went down.
Great!! 🙂