Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Balls Recipes

SCRUMPTIOUS SAUERKRAUT BALLS

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium high heat, fry pork sausage and onion until sausage is evenly brown and onion is soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly.
• Crumble sausage mixture into a large bowl and add drained sauerkraut, mustard, garlic salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons bread crumbs. Combine cream cheese and parsley, and mix into sauerkraut mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Shape sauerkraut mixture into 3/4 inch balls. Coat balls with flour. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Dip floured balls in egg mixture and then roll in remaining bread crumbs.
• Deep fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

OLD-FASHIONED SAUERKRAUT BALLS

Steps:

• Sift together baking powder, flour, salt, and mace.
• In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, and melted butter or margarine. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until smooth. Fold sauerkraut into the dough.
• Heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Drop the sauerkraut dough by teaspoonful into the hot oil; fry until the balls are browned on all sides, approximately 2 or 3 minutes.

SAUERKRAUT BALLS

Steps:

• In large skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook over med heat until onions are browned (about 6 to 8 minutes).
• Stir in ham and garlic powder.
• Add in 2 TBSP flour and stir and cook for about 1 minute.
• Add drained sauerkraut, sauerkraut juice, dried parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and cook until mixture becomes a thick paste.
• Remove sauerkraut/ham mixture to bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill. Mixture needs to be completely cooled before proceeding to next step. (About 2 to 4 hours or overnight).
• While mixture is chilling, make Russian Dressing dipping sauce following directions below.
• Once sauerkraut/ham mixture is completely cold, form into 1" balls. This is easy to do with a small cookie scoop. Mixture should be putty like and hold it's shape while cold. Continue with remaining sauerkraut/ham mixture and pop in refrigerator for about 10 minutes, while you set up breading station.
• Set up a breading station. Put flour in a shallow bowl (or I like to use paper plates for easy clean up). Whisk egg with water in a shallow bowl, Put seasoned breadcrumbs in shallow bowl or paper plate.
• Bread the sauerkraut balls by rolling in flour, next egg, and then breadcrumbs. Set each breaded sauerkraut ball on sheet pan or plate.
• Remove sauerkraut balls from refrigerator. You can use three methods to fry the sauerkraut balls. Choose which one is best for you.
• SKILLET FRYING: Heat about 1" of oil in a large skillet. Fry sauerkraut balls, turning to brown all sides, until golden brown.
• AIR FRYER: (This is the method I used) Spray sauerkraut balls with cooking spray. Heat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place sauerkraut balls in basket allowing for space and not over crowding. (depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to work in batches.) Air fry for approximately 5 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking time.
• OVEN METHOD: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray and spray sauerkraut balls liberally with cooking spray. Bake in oven for approximately 10 - 20 minutes, turning the balls once during bake time.
• Serve sauerkraut balls warm with Russian Dressing dipping sauce on the side.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate to combine flavors for at least 2 hours.

OLD-FASHIONED HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Remove outer leaves and any undesirable portions from firm, mature, heads of cabbage; wash and drain. Cut into halves or quarters; remove the core . Use a shredder or sharp knife to cut the cabbage into thin shreds about the thickness of a dime.
• In a large container, thoroughly mix 2 tablespoons pickling and canning salt with 3 pounds shredded cabbage. Let the salted cabbage stand for several minutes to wilt slightly; this allows packing without excessive breaking or bruising of the shreds.
• Pack the salted cabbage firmly and evenly into a large clean crock or jar. Using a wooden spoon or tamper or the hands, press down firmly until the juice comes to the surface. Repeat the shredding, salting, and packing of the cabbage until the crock is filled to within 3 to 4 inches of the top.
• Cover the cabbage with a clean, thin, white cloth (such as muslin) and tuck the edges down against the inside of the container. Cover with a plate or round paraffined/waxed board that fits inside the container so that the cabbage is not exposed to the air. Put a weight on top of the cover, so the brine comes to the cover but not over it. A glass jar filled with water makes a good weight.
• An alternative method of covering cabbage during fermentation consists of placing a plastic bag filled with water on top of the fermenting cabbage. The water-filled bag seals the surface from exposure to air and prevents the growth of film yeast or molds. It also serves as a weight. For extra protection, the bag with the water in it can be placed inside another plastic bag. Any bag used should be of heavyweight, watertight plastic and intended for use with foods. The amount of water in the plastic bag can be adjusted to give just enough pressure to keep the fermenting cabbage covered with brine.
• Formation of gas bubbles indicates fermentation is taking place. A room temperature of 68 F to 72 F is best for fermenting cabbage. Fermentation is usually completed in five to six weeks.
• Fully fermented sauerkraut may be kept tightly covered in the refrigerator for a few months, it can be frozen in sealed freezer bags, or it may be canned as follows: ​ Hot Pack: Raw Pack: