German Rotkohl {Canning Recipe}

This is an authentic German Rotkohl recipe I received from a friend when we were living in Germany I modified to make safe for canning. If you would prefer not to can it, but just make it to serve, see my recipe here.

This is a spicy, sweet, tart cabbage dish and makes a great accompaniment to German foods such as Wiener Schnitzel or Sauerbraten. 

Gather your ingredients

Top cabbage mixture with brine

RECIPE

Ingredients

1 head red cabbage, cored and roughly chopped

2 large tart apples, cored, peeled and roughly chopped

1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. salt

Place in a spice bag (or piece of cheesecloth tied with kitchen string)

1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns

1/2 tsp. whole allspice

1/2 tsp. whole cloves

Method

Place all ingredients in a large stock pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and stir well. Cook approx. 5 minutes, or until cabbage is wilting but not soft.

Strain cabbage mixture from brine using a mesh colander placed over a large bowl, reserving brine.  

Using tongs, fill jars with cabbage mixture pushing down to pack somewhat tightly. Evenly distribute brine over cabbage mixture in each jar, leaving 1/2-inch head-space. Wipe top of jars with vinegar, and top with rings and seals. 

Process in boiling water bath or steam canner 20 minutes. Remove jars and let cool 24 hours on a kitchen towel on your counter-top.

Jars are sealed when button in the middle of the top is depressed and doesn't move.

Store in pantry up to one year. Opened jars need to be refrigerated. 

Tips: If product is too tart for your taste, add a bit of sugar when heating to eat.

Yield:  5 pint jars

Enjoy,

Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.