Curtido (Central American Fermented Slaw)

Curtido (Central American Fermented Slaw)

The El Salvadoran cousin of sauerkraut. Lighter, fresher, and made with a blend of cabbage, carrots, onions, and oregano. This is the traditional topping for pupusas, but it belongs on everything.

About 1 quart
Yield
1-3 days (it's a quick ferment)
Time
3-4 weeks in the fridge
Keeps

The El Salvadoran cousin of sauerkraut. Lighter, fresher, and made with a blend of cabbage, carrots, onions, and oregano. This is the traditional topping for pupusas, but it belongs on everything.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Combine the cabbage, carrot, and onion in a large bowl. Add the salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Massage the vegetables with your hands for 3-5 minutes until they soften and release liquid.
  3. Pack tightly into a quart jar, pressing down until the brine rises above the vegetables. Add the apple cider vinegar if using.
  4. Weight the vegetables down and seal loosely.
  5. Ferment at room temperature for 1-3 days. Curtido is traditionally served after just 1 day — lightly fermented with a fresh crunch. For a tangier, more complex version, let it go 3 days.
  6. Transfer to the fridge.

This recipe is from Fermented & Cultured

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Serving Suggestions

On pupusas (the classic pairing). On tacos. On grilled fish. In fish tacos. Alongside rice and beans. On pulled pork sandwiches. As a fresh side salad.

Notes

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We started Gathered Guides because fermentation shouldn't feel intimidating. Every recipe in this book was written so a complete beginner could follow along — and end up with something alive, tangy, and genuinely good for your gut.

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