You can enjoy that carrot crunch along with some extra probiotics when you begin adding these lacto-fermented carrots to your diet! Learn to make lacto-fermented carrots that can be served as a side dish straight from the fridge.
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I’ll admit, carrots are not the most loved veggie in our home. My son and husband usually only eat them steamed in the Instant Pot. Myself, I like them raw or steamed, but fermenting them is delicious as well!
I have been trying to get creative in various ways to eat carrots in our home and these fermented carrots have become a favorite. I am especially loving these carrots dipped in some Probiotic-Rich Kefir Ranch Dressing, that’s a double whammy on the probiotic benefits!
What do fermented carrots taste like?
These carrots taste like a raw carrot with an added burst of tangy and sour. I am sharing the basic recipe, but you can add additional spices to flavor them how you like!
For a slightly pickled flavor, add garlic, onion, peppercorns, and dill.
For a take on sauerkraut, add cabbage and ginger to the carrots.
The possibilities are endless, so get creative!
how does the Lacto-fermentation process work?
When salt is added to the brine, it prevents harmful bacteria from growing as the veggie sits out on the counter. The good bacteria already present on the fresh vegetable, mostly lactobacillus, can then multiply through the brine without being harmed by the bad bacteria.
HOW LONG DO lacto-FERMENTED carrots LAST?
In the fridge, they should last up to 5 or 6 months.
TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE lacto-fermented carrots
- Cutting board & Knife
- Wide mouth mason jars ( I used 1/2 gallon)
- Glass Fermenting Weights OR a couple of rocks inside a ziplock bag
INGREDIENTS
- Sliced carrots, approx. 1 lb
- 4-5 TBSP sea salt (any type of salt will work EXCEPT iodized salt)
- Filtered water ( We love our Berkey water filter)
watch the tutorial
HOW TO MAKE lacto-fermented carrots
- Start a pot of water to boil and add the salt.
- Peel carrots and remove ends. Carefully chop the carrots in half, lengthwise. Keeping them longer makes them easier to remove from the jar.
- Add the carrots to a half gallon mason jar.
- To ensure that you do not kill the good bacteria that is already present on the carrots, let the salt water brine cool for a few minutes.
- Pour the cooled brine over the chopped carrots. Top the jar off with filtered water leaving 1-2 inches of space at the top.
- Adding fermentation weights will keep them from floating to the top during the fermentation process, If you do not have fermenting weights, add a couple of rocks to a clean ziplock bag and use that as a weight.
- Cover with a fermenting lid, loose lid, or tea towel.
- Allow the carrots to ferment on the counter for 3-10 days, depending on your taste preference.
- Once the carrots are to your preference, remove the weight and place the jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
CHECK OUT THESE POSTS FOR MORE FERMENTED FOODS from our homestead
Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt-Greek Style
How to Make Fermented Jalapeños
Probiotic-Rich Kefir Ranch Dressing
How to Make Lacto-Fermented Pickles
PRINT THE RECIPE
Lacto-fermented Carrots
Equipment
- 1/2 gallon mason jar
- Fermenting Weights or rocks placed inside a ziplock bag
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots
- 4 TBSP Sea Salt
- filtered water
Instructions
- Start a pot of water to boil and add the salt.
- Peel carrots and remove ends. Carefully chop the carrots in half, lengthwise. Keeping them longer makes them easier to remove from the jar.
- Add the carrots to a half gallon mason jar.
- To ensure that you do not kill the good bacteria that is already present on the carrots, let the salt water brine cool for a few minutes.
- Pour the cooled brine over the chopped carrots. Top the jar off with filtered water leaving 1-2 inches at the top.
- Add a fermenting weight to keep them from floating to the top during the fermentation process, If you do not have fermenting weights, add a couple of rocks to a clean ziplock bag and use that as a weight.
- Allow the carrots to ferment on the counter for 3-10 days, depending on your taste preference.
- Once the carrots are to your preference, remove the fermenting weight and place the jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
PIN FOR LATER
