Christmas Ferments: Roasted Red Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts for Healthy Holidays

During the Christmas season, we want to focus on the essentials - shared, valuable moments with family and friends. So that you can enjoy the holidays without stress, we offer you creative and simple ideas for a stress-free Christmas dinner with healthy fermented recipes. Our versatile jars are indispensable companions for relaxed preparation: Whether you are fermenting, pre-cooking, storing or serving - they help you keep everything fresh and delicious.

In this blog post you will find valuable tips and delicious Christmas recipes that are perfect for the holidays. From crispy roasted Brussels sprouts to spicy fermented red cabbage with apples and Christmas spices and aromatic maple carrots - get inspired on how you can easily conjure up festive fermented dishes that will delight your guests. This leaves you more time for the festive moments that really count!

Winter is the ideal time of year for warming, spicy dishes that delight the soul. With our stress-free recipes, you can serve real holiday highlights. Our recipes combine the perfect combination of sweetness, acidity and a touch of tartness - perfectly matched to winter menus and packed with valuable nutrients. The dishes are easy to prepare and bring flavor and color to your Christmas dinner. Get inspired and create a feast that is as stress-free as it is delicious.

This fermented red cabbage is a real source of vitamins and goes perfectly with winter dishes. Fermentation not only makes the red cabbage more digestible, but also enriches it with valuable probiotic cultures that promote intestinal health and strengthen the immune system. The apples add a natural sweetness, and Christmas spices such as cinnamon and cloves provide a festive, deep taste. This ferment is not only a treat, but also a healthy addition to the Christmas menu - ideal as a side dish to hearty dishes.

Ingredients:

• 500 g red cabbage, finely chopped
• 1-2 apples, cut into thin slices (preferably sour varieties such as Boskop or Granny Smith)
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Filtered water
• Ripple Jar, glass weight, wooden pestle, fermentation lid

Preparation:

1. Prepare the red cabbage: Finely chop the red cabbage and put it in the Oleni jar. Sprinkle the sea salt over it and mash the cabbage well with the masher for about 5-10 minutes until it is soft and water comes out.
2. Add apples and spices: Add the apple slices and spices (cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf and cinnamon stick) to the red cabbage and mix well.
3. To marinate: Pour the cabbage and apple mixture into a clean Oleni jar. Press firmly to leave as little air as possible between the layers. The water released should cover the cabbage. If there is not enough liquid, add a little filtered water until the cabbage is completely submerged.
4. Fermentation weight: Place your glass weight on top of the cabbage to keep it submerged in the brine.
5. Close the lid loosely: Close the jar loosely with the fermentation lid so that gases can escape during the fermentation process.
6. Fermentation: Leave the jar in a cool, dark place for 5-7 days. Check daily to make sure the cabbage stays under the liquid. You will notice bubbles rising - this is a sign that the fermentation process is underway.
7. Taste test: Taste after 5-7 days. When the desired acidity level is reached, place the jar in the refrigerator. Fermentation will then slow down and the ferment will keep for several weeks.

The roasted Brussels sprouts with a combination of fermented red cabbage and crunchy walnuts bring together taste and texture perfectly. The roasted aromas of the Brussels sprouts harmonize perfectly with the acidity of the red cabbage and provide a distinctive taste, while the fermented red cabbage supports digestion and provides probiotic cultures. Walnuts provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids and make this dish a nutrient-rich, healthy and tasty addition to the festive dinner.

In combination with fermented red cabbage with apples and Christmas spices from the previous recipe.

Ingredients:

• 500 g Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 50 g roasted walnuts or pecans
• 2-3 tablespoons of fermented vegetables from recipe no. 3
• Fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary

Preparation:

1. Prepare the Brussels sprouts: Wash, clean and halve the Brussels sprouts. Spread them on a baking tray and mix with olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. Roasting: Roast the Brussels sprouts in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Turn once halfway through.
3. Flavoring: Remove the roasted Brussels sprouts from the oven and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Mix well.
4. Add nuts: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts or pecans on top to create additional texture.
5. Combine fermented vegetables: To serve, spread the fermented red cabbage on or next to the roasted Brussels sprouts.
6. Garnish: If desired, garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme to add a festive flavor.

The roasted Brussels sprouts with a combination of fermented red cabbage and crunchy walnuts bring together taste and texture perfectly. The roasted aromas of the Brussels sprouts harmonize perfectly with the acidity of the red cabbage and provide a distinctive taste, while the fermented red cabbage supports digestion and provides probiotic cultures. Walnuts provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids and make this dish a nutrient-rich, healthy and tasty addition to the festive dinner.

In addition to your long-lasting ferments, there are many other dishes that you can prepare stress-free. Our new food storage containers - in round and square shapes and in various sizes - are the ideal all-rounders: perfect for preparing, freezing, baking and serving in style. Not only do they keep your food fresh, they also look chic - ideal for the holidays when guests come and you want to serve your dishes attractively or simply store leftovers.

Thanks to the airtight seal and stackable design, your food stays fresh, aromatic and ready to serve at any time. So you can relax and look forward to a delicious, stress-free Christmas!