Fermentation 101
Greater Seacoast Permaculture Group
Madbury, NH
Sunday, November 2, 2014
1–4pm
Sauerkraut, kimchee, pickles, kombucha, kefir, sourdough… These powerhouse foods are showing up everywhere lately. They may sound “exotic” and difficult to prepare, but fermentation is our original, and most ancient method of food preservation—and it’s surprisingly easy. Pretty much anything can be fermented safely: vegetables, herbs, grains, and dairy.
This workshop will provide discussion on the safety, benefits, and philosophy of fermentation (primarily lacto) with the opportunity to make your own ferment to bring home. Most importantly, you will have the chance to ask questions and learn by doing.
A big question is: Does it taste good? (Especially for family members with “selective palettes”.) The workshop will conclude with a potluck and sampling of various ferments. Recipes will be included. Try things—see what you like, and learn about different ways fermented foods can be used.
Each Participant will go home with a fermenting jar of seasonally available veggies, and the confidence to continue exploring living foods.
Culture Sharing: If you have a culture (sourdough, water or milk kefir grains, SCOBYs, etc) please feel free to bring and share. A big part of fermentation is the community (Social Permaculture) aspect!
This workshop is running congruently with homebrewing (which will be in the garage.) At the conclusion of both workshops, we will have a potluck that everyone is invited to attend.
Lauren Winterholer learned about the amazing world of fermented foods during her Peace Corps service in southern Africa. She began fermenting grains as her Swazi host family had been doing for millennia. Over the past 7 years, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and even water have all fallen prey to Lauren’s fermenting obsession. She lives with her family on a small cul-de-sac “homestead” in Madbury with poultry, gardens, fruit trees, and the like. She enjoys discovering new ways to create a healthy home and live symbiotically with the earth.
For more information: http://www.meetup.com/GreaterSeacoastPermaculture/events/206410622/