Lacto Fermented Spicy Beets Recipes

LACTO-FERMENTED BEETS

Steps:

• Wash and trim beets of greens. Leave skins on.
• Cut beets into slices or cubes, as desired.
• Place beets, bay leaf and optional flavourings in the fermentation container, leaving a 1" space to the top of the neck of the jar.
• Fill with brine, leaving a 1" space to the top of the neck of the jar
• Add fermentation weight (if necessary). Close jar.
• Leave at room temperature (ideally 55-75 F (18-22 C) ) for 2-4 weeks.
• Transfer to the refrigerator for storage.

RAW FERMENTED BEETS

Steps:

• Distribute beet chunks between two jars with lids. Add 2 cloves garlic, 3 peppercorns, and 1 bay leaf to each jar.
• Combine water and salt in a bowl to make the brine; stir until salt is completely dissolved. Pour enough brine into the jars to completely cover the beets.
• Screw on lids and let jars sit at room temperature until foam starts to appear on top, about 1 week. Transfer jars to a cool place (50 degrees F, 10 degrees C) for 2 to 3 days after foam appears. Store in the refrigerator.

LACTO-FERMENTED SPICY BEETS

Steps:

• Wash and peel the beets. Cut off the top and root end. Uniformly slice on a mandolin directly into a bowl. Or use a knife. Cut onion into uniform slices using a mandolin or knife. Wash and slice the jalapeno. If you wish to have less heat, remove as many seeds as possible. Peel the papery skin from the garlic. Cut into fine slices. Combine water and salt in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve the salt. Place all vegetable slices into the jar or small crock. Add spices. Pour in brine (water/salt mixture). If the brine does not cover the vegetables, create more brine at a ratio of 1 teaspoon per 8oz. cup of water. Place a weight on vegetables to keep them submerged. Top jar with lid and airlock. Leave the container out on a countertop or table so you check the fermentation process. Allow the batch to sit at room temperature for at least four days. Taste your ferment on day five. Not tangy enough? Allow fermenting at room temperature for another day or two. After that, replace the lid with airlock with a solid lid and set the container in a refrigerator.