Rainbow Root Ferment
Maw-Maw Kelli, Herbalist
Its very
important to ‘Eat the Rainbow.’ A few
years back, I took a series of Webinars classes from Lisa Ganora that went along with her book Herbal Constituents (which I also own) and have enjoyed
reading it and learning more about Phytochemicals. Its very interesting science and I hope your
check out her work. http://www.herbalconstituents.com/
I used the
foundation of that information to create my Rainbow Root Ferment. I wanted to find a way to eat the rainbow,
daily. Certainly this is not the only way I ‘Eat the Rainbow’ but it’s a good
way to get started. Fermented food can
not only help you with beneficial bacteria but eating the rainbow daily will
help you get those needed phytonutrients that come in the different colors of
the veggies (and you can add apples to sweeten this if you like)
Supplies
Fermentation
Vessel (mason jar and lid works just fine, or fermentation crock)
Parsnip
Carrots
Purple Onion
Turnip
Beets
Green Apple**
Radishes
Salt (non
iodized for this)
Water
Cilantro
(fresh)
** Optional--to
sweeten if you like or leave this out if
you like but first time fermenters or people not used to eating
fermented foods may find the apple helpful and makes it a little sweet)
Grate or Chop
(remember Sandor says choppers choice. I like to grate especially when I have
apprentices to help me LOL) all the roots.
Doesn’t this
look wonderful!!! And it is!!!
Sprinkle salt
on the mixture allow to sit for about 20 minutes. Come back and use your hands
to ‘knead’ the mixture to release the moisture.
Then I place
this in the fermentation vessel and fill the vessel with salt brine (if there
is not enough of the natural liquid to cover it) and use a weight to keep the
material below the salt brine.
Allow to
ferment to your desired taste (at least 8 days--many people will go longer, the
longer the better, I believe but it is your choice). Watch carefully so that no mold develops. If
you are unfamiliar with fermenting familiarize yourself a bit. http://www.wildfermentation.com/
When you like
the taste switch to another jar and store in the Frig. Eat a few forkfuls with
your dinner each evening. Its good for you!
