A Simple Garden Pickling Cucumber...A Source For Probiotics? YES!
Not all pickles are equal!
The official summer season has come to a close...kids are going back to school, the evenings are cooler and days shorter. Many people who grow gardens will begin canning and harvesting their spoils to store over the cooler months to come. One of the frequently enjoyed items from a garden are cucumbers.
My whole life I grew up with an abundance of pickling cucumbers to eat in the summer. My parents made pickles in a seasoned brine throughout the season. Fast forward many years now with my own family, I also make my own pickles in the summer and my whole family enjoys and benefits from them.
But, did you know not all pickles are created equal? That's right! Some have numerous health and nutritional benefits while others have virtually none.
Fermented Pickles vs Vinegar Pickles
A pickling cucumber left in a brine solution with spices is how you make a fermented pickle which is full of health benefiting Probiotics. Benefits of fermented pickles:
Although delicious and convenient don’t be fooled by what is in your supermarket. Modern pickled foods are the product of high heat and pressure which destroys nutrients and do not in any way enhance health. These vegetables are not fermented (even though vinegar itself is the product of fermentation) and hence do not offer the probiotic and enzymatic value of homemade fermented versions.
One exception to this rule are the various fermented foods in the refrigerator section of many healthfood stores which are often quite costly.
Not all pickles are equal!
The official summer season has come to a close...kids are going back to school, the evenings are cooler and days shorter. Many people who grow gardens will begin canning and harvesting their spoils to store over the cooler months to come. One of the frequently enjoyed items from a garden are cucumbers.
My whole life I grew up with an abundance of pickling cucumbers to eat in the summer. My parents made pickles in a seasoned brine throughout the season. Fast forward many years now with my own family, I also make my own pickles in the summer and my whole family enjoys and benefits from them.
But, did you know not all pickles are created equal? That's right! Some have numerous health and nutritional benefits while others have virtually none.
Fermented Pickles vs Vinegar Pickles
A pickling cucumber left in a brine solution with spices is how you make a fermented pickle which is full of health benefiting Probiotics. Benefits of fermented pickles:
- Enhances the vitamin content of the food.
- Preserves and sometimes enhances the enzyme content of the food.
- Improves nutrient bio-availability in the body.
- Improves the digestibility of the food and even cooked foods that are consumed along with it!
Although delicious and convenient don’t be fooled by what is in your supermarket. Modern pickled foods are the product of high heat and pressure which destroys nutrients and do not in any way enhance health. These vegetables are not fermented (even though vinegar itself is the product of fermentation) and hence do not offer the probiotic and enzymatic value of homemade fermented versions.
One exception to this rule are the various fermented foods in the refrigerator section of many healthfood stores which are often quite costly.
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There are a few different types of pickles, all of which can be made as fermented pickles, but what you make is determined by the salt, spices and how long they are fermented. Here are some of the most common fermented pickle varieties:
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So the next time you see a farmers market pick up a few pickling cucumbers and fresh dill and see about making some of your own fermented pickles. All you need is a glass jar...no canning equipment required!
My personal favorite...half sour Polish pickles...what's yours?
My personal favorite...half sour Polish pickles...what's yours?
