Fermented Fresh Herbs

Step 1

For the Brine-Fermented Fresh Herbs, pack a 1-cup (237-ml) jam jar with the herb leaves, leaving a bit of headspace. Combine the water and sea salt and pour over the herbs. Weigh down as you would sauerkraut, cover and allow to ferment for 5 to10 days or until tangy and bubbling.

Step 2

Transfer to cold storage. Keeps for several months at room temperature if left unopened. Will keep for 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature once opened or store for up to 6 months when refrigerated.

Step 3

The Chopped/Paste method turns out a roughly chopped paste that creates its own brine, much like sauerkraut does.

Step 4

Remove the cilantro leaves from the stems and chop them finely. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with sea salt.

Step 5

Transfer herbs, salt and any brine in the bottom of the bowl to one or two 1-cup (237-ml)-size jars, as needed. Pack them down tightly and check the level of the brine. If it hasn’t come up above the level of the herbs, add salt brine with a ratio of 2 teaspoons (10 g) of salt to 1 cup (237 ml) water.

Step 6

Weight down with a fermentation weight and cover the jar tightly. Ferment for 5 to 10 days or until tangy. Once fermentation is complete, transfer to cold storage.

Step 7

Will keep for several weeks at room temperature, 2 to 3 months in a root cellar or up to 6 months refrigerated.