Fermented Veggies – Yum!
Fermented foods, also known as cultured foods have been part of the human diet for millennia. However, due to modern food production as well as convenience foods, fermented foods are no longer dietary staples. Consequently, the human digestive tract and immune suffers. Whether somebody is suffering from frequent colds, Candida, auto-immune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s, Lupus or digestive distress including constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or stomach bloating, fermented foods can be an integral part of the healing process with these disorders.
In this blog post, I’ll be focusing on fermented vegetables but the world of fermented foods includes chutneys, salsas, 
relishes, condiments like mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise, kefir, kombucha, yogurt, cheese, and sourdough grains. The world of fermented foods is abundant and alive (pun intended!)
Originally people fermented foods as a way to preserve the harvest. However, the process of lacto-fermentation results in foods that not only are preserved long-term but also have increased digestibility and vitamin levels.
During the process of fermentation, lactobacilli (bacteria) convert the sugars and starches in vegetables into lactic acid. Then the lactic acid preserves the food by inhibiting any putrefying bacteria.
In The Body Ecology Diet, author Donna Gates outlines several benefits of fermented veggies.
- They are a less expensive alternative to probiotics
- They improve digestion as the vegetables are pre-digested
- They contain enzymes to facilitate digestion, eliminate toxins, and boost the immune system
- Are great for controlling food cravings and assisting in weight control
Fermented vegetables are surprisingly easy to make and are much less expensive than buying them at a health food store. And you can make them according to your own tastes. It’s common to start making fermented veggies by using 
cabbage alone or combining cabbage with other vegetables such as kale, carrots, radishes, ginger, turnips, beets, etc. The combinations are really endless.
Specific recipes and instructions can be found in the books and websites listed below. The recipes can be made using only salt but you can use a starter culture such as those available from Body Ecology or by using whey. If you’re in the Triangle area of North Carolina, I always have extra whey (left over from cheese making). Leave a comment on the blog and I’ll contact you.
I really encourage you to explore the world of fermented foods. I find that the more I eat, the more I crave them (believe it or not). I try to consume fermented foods at every meal whether that be kefir in my mornings smoothie, kombucha, sauerkraut, fermented carrots, sourdough bread, fermented salsa or chili sauce. Donna Gates recommends a ½ cup serving of fermented veggies with any meal that contains a protein or starch. I love the variety of foods and their life-sustaining benefits.
Resources
Books:
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates
Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride M.D.
Online resources:
Nourished Kitchen Get Cultured e-Course
GNOWFGLINS Lacto-Fermentation e-Course
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