Ayurvedic Sauerkraut (Homemade Pickled Cucumber)

Homemade pickled cucumber (you can use any veggie you like) is far better than the store bought ones. Generally the store bought ones are made to ferment faster by a heating process or by adding vinegar. This process does not generally produce the same effective probiotic and enzymatic value that homemade fermentation offers. And not to mention, most important you get to control the salt and oil which is unhealthily loaded in store bought ones. you know exactly what goes in your pickle and that for me is priceless! 

When we ferment veggies (any kind you like) in our own kitchen, we are allowing nature to work it’s magic and not speed up the process! It allows the ubiquitous and beneficial lactobacilli present on the surface of all living things – yes, even on our own skin – to proliferate creating lactic acid which not only pickles and preserves the vegetables, but also promotes good health.

Wash the cucumbers in water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Cut the cucumbers in bite size pieces after removing all the seeds. In a bowl mix all the spices together –

• 4-6 tsp freshly ground Mustard powder (you can roast mustard seeds for extra flavor)
• 1-2 tsp Fenugreek and Asafoetida powder
• 2-3 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 2-3 tsp unrefined Sesame Oil
• Salt to taste

Did you know mustard seeds are high in Omega 3’s!! One teaspoon of mustard seeds has 87.1mg of Omega 3 and 84.2mg of Omega 6. In an airtight glass container, incorporate this mixture well into the bite sized cucumbers. Make sure all the slices are coated evenly with this spice mixture. Let it sit on your kitchen counter top for 12 hours. After 12 hours, stir this with a clean, dry spoon. Keep it on the counter top for another 24 – 48 hours. Later transfer this pickle into the refrigerator. The flavors get deeper and more enhanced as the days go by…YUM!!

I must admit, this is an acquired taste but your tongue will soon start to like it, as the spices get infused with the lactic acid. This is so good for healthy digestion and the best part is, all the friendly bacteria help you to eliminate thoroughly, first thing in the morning making you feel clean and rejuvenated!!