The moon influences many areas of human life. Using the lunar calendar, you can determine which days will be more favorable and which days will not. By planting a plant on an unfavorable date, a person risks losing the harvest. The same applies to preparing twists. It is important to know on what dates it is better to pickle cabbage so that the product lasts longer, is tasty and healthy.
Favorable days for salting and sauerkraut in January 2021
To choose the most successful day for fermenting cabbage, you should take into account the phase of the moon, as well as its location in the constellations. For fermentation, you cannot choose days of new moons and full moons, as well as dates that fall a week before the holiday of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. People call this week “snotty”. This is exactly what cabbage turns out to be if you salt or ferment it these days.
Favorable days of January 2021:
- 18.01.2021;
- 19.01.2021;
- 23.01.2021;
- 24.01.2021.
Unlike other months, there are few days in January when you are allowed to ferment and salt cabbage. But cabbage cooked on these dates retains its beneficial properties and remains crispy.
What is “snotty week”
Traditionally, cabbage salting is carried out after the entire harvest has already ripened and harvested, from October 14 - from the Orthodox holiday “Protection of the Virgin”. However, despite the lunar calendar, there is a time when leafy vegetables cannot be fermented properly. The period that is not well suited for sauerkraut is called “snotty week.” Often the duration of this period exceeds 7 days.
During the “snotty week”, fermented cabbage will be tasteless, quickly turn sour, and will not crisp up. Also, often the pickles begin to mold or become covered with mucus. In 2021, the duration of the unfavorable period for salting such a snack was 15 days, as well as in 2021, in which the “snotty week” starts on November 1, and its end will only be on the 15th.
Favorable days for salting and sauerkraut in February 2021
The first half of February is considered unfavorable for cooking. But the remaining month is full of good days.
Sauerkraut should be fermented in the following February 2021:
- 14.02.2021;
- 15.02.2021;
- 16.02.2021;
- 19.02.2021;
- 20.02.2021;
- 21.02.2021;
- 24.02.2021;
- 25.02.2021.
In these numbers, the Moon is in the desired position. Its effect is enhanced by bacteria, which affect the fermentation process. On other days, the influence of the Moon decreases, so the pickled cabbage will be less firm and tasty.
Which cabbage is undesirable to salt?
In general, an experienced housewife can pickle any cabbage. But it is better not to use such instances:
- Young small heads of cabbage. Such specimens are not yet hard enough. They will give little juice.
- Early cabbage. Same problem. It will be very difficult to achieve sap flow.
- Varieties intended for storage. But here, on the contrary, the leaves are too hard, which will break, but will not yield juice.
- "Green" varieties. White cabbage varieties are best suited for sourdough.
- With a bitter taste. The vegetable should be slightly sweet and juicy. This will further ensure that the same recognizable taste of the product. If the head of cabbage is bitter, then nothing good will come of it.
Favorable days for pickling and pickling cabbage in March 2021
The tradition of salting and storing cabbage appeared in Rus'. It was then that people realized how much the moon affects the taste of the product.
Favorable days of March 2021:
- 14.03.2021;
- 15.03.2021;
- 19.03.2021;
- 20.03.2021;
- 23.03.2021;
- 24.03.2021;
- 25.03.2021.
The inhabitants of Rus' were not strong in astrology, but they knew how to determine whether the Moon was waxing or waning. Therefore, cabbage was always pickled during the waxing moon, so that the product would be tasty and healthy.
How to make cabbage tasty and crispy
In general, the fermentation process is not complicated: you simply mix vegetables with salt and put the whole mixture in jars or wooden tubs.
But, as always, there are some tricks that will help you get a slightly tastier product.
- Chop into medium sized straws. It kneads well, but retains a dense structure.
- Do not allow voids to form when placing the shredder in containers. This can lead to the formation of gases. Pack vegetables tightly. Use a masher or spoon to help compact it.
- Mash the cabbage and carrots thoroughly. This will allow the vegetables to release their juices and add crispness to the finished dish.
- If you follow a recipe with sugar, do not add too much.
- During fermentation, periodically pierce the entire depth with a knitting needle to release the gas that accumulates during fermentation.
Favorable days for salting and sauerkraut in April 2021
There are also many dates in April when you can pickle cabbage. In addition to favorable days, there are good and neutral numbers. During this period, you can also start salting, but it is still recommended to give preference to the most successful dates.
Favorable days in April 2021:
- 15.04.2021;
- 16.04.2021;
- 20.04.2021;
- 21.04.2021;
- 24.04.2021;
- 25.04.2021.
Most of the favorable dates in 2021 fall in the second part of the month. This is due to the fact that it is on these days that the Moon is in a phase when its influence intensifies. And the higher it is, the more active the bacteria are that affect the fermentation process.
Tips for pickling
Only the white cabbage variety is suitable for pickling for the winter. Red cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and others are not used. Forks that remain in the garden until the first frost are best suited for pickling. Such vegetables accumulate a lot of sugar, which is necessary for fermentation.
According to the growing season, mid-season and late varieties are more suitable for fermentation. The former develop a dense head, and the leaves contain the required amount of sugars. They are suitable for pickling, but the taste of the resulting snack is not always ideal. Mid-season varieties are taken for pickling by residents of northern regions, where varieties with a long growing season do not have time to ripen. Late-ripening varieties have dense and crispy forks. They are ideal for storing for the winter.
Important!
Early ripe cabbage is not used for pickling. Their tender leaves have very little sugar. After salting, they become too soft and do not crisp.
The best mid-season varieties for pickling:
- Glory 1305;
- Present;
- Belarusian;
- Menza F1;
- Dobrovodskaya;
- Anniversary F1;
- Krautman F1;
- Megaton F1;
- Midor F1;
- Atria F1;
- Merchant's wife.
Favorable days for pickling and pickling cabbage in May 2021
You can start stocking up on sauerkraut closer to summer. This way, all the necessary supplies will be ready in winter. In addition, it is during the warm season that there are many more favorable days for salting.
Favorable days of May 2021:
- 12.05.2021;
- 13.05.2021;
- 14.05.2021;
- 17.05.2021;
- 18.05.2021;
- 19.05.2021;
- 22.05.2021;
- 23.05.2021.
In May, in the 2nd and 3rd phases of the moon, cabbage juices are abundantly released, and the fermentation process also intensifies. But in phases 1 and 4, when the new moon and full moon occur, it is better not to do preparations. If the Moon is in a waning phase, enzymes are absorbed, which will make the cabbage sluggish.
Common mistakes
Let's look at common mistakes that beginners make:
- Rotten or damaged leaves are used. Such leaves should be thrown away. It’s better to get a little less of the finished product than for everything to turn sour.
- Too much or too little salt. It is impossible to eat an over-salted product, but due to a lack of salt, the product may not turn out at all.
- Use of many additional ingredients. Of course, there are a lot of recipes, but still add additives in moderation if you don’t want to end up with a mess instead of sauerkraut.
- The day according to the lunar calendar was chosen poorly. We don’t know what the signs are regarding the signs of the zodiac and women’s and men’s days, but it is a fact that you cannot add salt on the new and full moon.
- Fermentation takes place at too low a temperature. Do not allow the container with cabbage to ferment below +18. The product simply won't cook.
- Cans of product are kept warm. But with storage, it’s the opposite. The finished cabbage is kept in the refrigerator or in the cellar. Otherwise, they will turn sour.
- Using the “wrong” salt. Sea or iodized salt are excellent products with many beneficial properties. But they are not suitable for salting cabbage. Buy the most common table salt in cardboard packages. No need to reinvent the wheel.
- Unlucky head of cabbage. Sometimes even experienced housewives make a mistake and take an unsuccessful head of cabbage for pickling. But still try to select large, dense heads of white varieties.
- The shredder doesn't mince well. When mixing cabbage with salt, use force. Give the shredder a good rinse. You can even push with your fists, leaning on it with all your weight.
Favorable days for salting and sauerkraut in June 2021
At the beginning of summer the sky becomes clear. You can observe the Moon without any means at hand. Astrologers calculate the satellite's movement in advance and draw up a lunar calendar. Based on it, you can choose the days for salting and sauerkraut.
Favorable days of June 2021:
- 14.06.2021;
- 15.06. 2021;
- 17.06. 2021;
- 18.06. 2021;
- 19.06. 2021;
- 21.06. 2021;
- 22.06. 2021;
- 23.06. 2021.
These days the Moon is in its best position. Its influence is increasing, so you can start not only fermenting cabbage, but also planting vegetables.
Choosing a variety for pickling cabbage
Only mid-early and late varieties of cabbage are suitable for pickling. Such heads of cabbage are always dense, juicy, large, and contain a large amount of sugar, which is actively involved in the fermentation process. This cabbage can be stored fresh for a long time under certain temperature conditions. The shelf life of some varieties is 6 and sometimes 8 months. Sourdough further extends the storage period: properly prepared sauerkraut can be stored until the next season.
Among all the variety, cabbage varieties such as “Slava”, “Valentina”, “Podarok” and some others are recognized as the best for pickling and long-term winter storage.
Important! The lighter the color of cabbage leaves, the more sugar they contain.
When choosing cabbage for pickling, you need to pay attention to the external characteristics of the heads: when squeezed, a fresh, mature vegetable should spring slightly. The weight of the head of cabbage should be at least 3 kg, and on its surface there should be as few green and damaged leaves as possible. They are unsuitable for fermentation and, in fact, will be production waste. Vegetables with cracks, signs of spoilage or rotting are not suitable for sourdough.
Favorable days for pickling and pickling cabbage in July 2021
In July, in addition to favorable days, there are also neutral ones. Nothing affects the pickling of cabbage on such dates. Neutral dates are: July 1-8, 14, 17, 18, 26-31, 2021.
Favorable days of July 2021:
- 11.07. 2021;
- 12.07. 2021;
- 15.07. 2021;
- 16.07. 2021;
- 20.07. 2021;
- 21.07. 2021;
- 22.07. 2021;
- 23.07. 2021.
Most often, harvesting occurs closer to summer. Both in ancient times and in modern times, there is a tradition of harvesting on the waning moon. During the growing phase, root vegetables are saturated with useful substances. During the waning moon, moisture outflows, so this time is considered the most favorable for collection.
How do the phases of the moon affect cabbage starter?
Let's look at how each phase of the lunar cycle affects sauerkraut:
- Waxing moon: provides the best taste of preparations. The dish is crispy and juicy.
- Full moon: cabbage becomes too soft, loses its “crispness” and its original taste.
- Dying Moon: Fermentation bacteria are less active. Shredded vegetables ferment for a long time and are poorly salted.
- New moon: preparations are of worse quality and are poorly stored. It results in an overly sour taste.
Favorable days for pickling and sauerkraut in December 2021
December 14 and 15 are extremely unlucky days for pickling. But the periods from 5 to 13 and from 16 to 18 December 2021 will be favorable. It is important not to forget that when making stocks, the recipe and variety of cabbage primarily play a role, and favorable days only increase the influence of the Moon on the fermentation processes.
Even in ancient times, people noticed that the Moon has some influence on the soil and moisture. Thanks to this, lunar calendars began to appear, according to which plants were planted and supplies prepared for the winter. Now such calendars help not only to choose the optimal days for sauerkraut, but also to plan the dates of important events.
January 23, 2021 at 11:21 © Author: Lyudmila Muravyova, astrologer
A simple recipe for making sauerkraut
The basic recipe for the popular snack contains few ingredients - cabbage and salt. But to improve the taste, carrots, dill seeds, caraway seeds, pumpkin, beets, and sugar are added. Less common supplements are lingonberries, apples or cranberries. They are placed in a layer to give an unusual aroma and taste.
Ingredients:
- 4 kg of white cabbage;
- 4 tbsp. coarse table salt;
- 400 g carrots.
Preparation:
Chop the cabbage into strips using forks and place in an enamel container. Add salt and rub thoroughly with your hands so that the cabbage releases juice. The peeled carrots are chopped into the same strips and added to the total mass. The contents of the container are thoroughly mixed several times.
The prepared mixture is transferred into three-liter glass jars, having previously sterilized them. The mass is compacted tightly so that there are no air bubbles left. After a few hours, the condition of the cabbage and carrot mass is checked. The released juice should completely cover it. If necessary, the liquid level is increased by adding boiled water.
