Recipe: TikTok Cabbage Pickle

TikTok Cabbage Pickle is pretty, versatile and easy to make. (I transcribe the recipe in a few minutes and regret I did not capture the name of the original poster.) It’s a cross between sauerkraut and the curtido served with Salvadorean pupas: still crunchy, but with the funk that comes with the beginning of lactofermentation, Try it on a burger or other sandwich or as (or in) a side salad. This would be fun to make with kids because the steps are easy and logical and the results are great to look at. Makes about 1 pint.

Ingredients:
½ of a medium green cabbage, shredded
1 red bell pepper, cored and seeded and sliced into rings then into strips
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
1 T kosher salt
1 c water
2 T cider vinegar
1 T chopped garlic (optional; makes the result extra funky)
½ t crushed red pepper or 1 jalapeño, seeded and sliced into rings (optional, if you like it hot)
Lemon slices

Method: combine cabbage, red bell pepper and carrot in a large bowl. Add salt and mix with your hands till all surfaces are exposed. Add optional garlic and hot pepper. Stuff into a 24 oz wide mouth Mason jar, or an equivalent leftover takeout container with a tight fitting lid. Add water and cider vinegar and top with two lemon slices. Seal the jar tight and shake. Leave on counter for 3 days, shaking and flipping the container bottoms-up ever few hours, then taste. If it’s not intense enough for your taste (it probably will be) leave on the counter for an extra day of fermentation. Refrigeate and enjoy within the next week.