Tuesday 13 December 2011

Pickles Variants

Pickles are one of the most interesting foods in the world. They have a great play on flavor and are good for your health. Not all people understand pickles, though. Some don't like their taste, while some just don't like how they look. Not surprising. After all, if you a look at pictures of pickles, all you'll see are damp and wrinkly fruits and vegetables; not exactly appetizing for everyone. Moreover, pickles have a very distinct odor to them. For example, Korean kimchi, a type of pickled food, has a very pronounced stench. Some people can't take this type of smell. However, pickled foods are very healthy. Most of them are very low in calories and contain many vitamins and nutrients. Pickles foods are also great as snacks and side dishes. These can be health alternatives to fried and sweet treats.

Pickling is basically the fermenting of fruits and vegetables using sour or salty mediums. There are many types of pickles. People all over the world do pickling of food. The most famous type of pickle, of course, is the pickled cucumber. Pickled cucumbers are great as snacks. You may also mix them in salads to add flavor. Pickled cucumbers are a great source for Vitamin K. Aside from this, they are very low in calories. But when eating these, remember to drink lots of water as pickled cucumbers are high in sodium. Make sure to wash them down properly to make sure you don't dehydrate yourself.

Another type of pickled food was mentioned above− Korean kimchi. Korean kimchi is basically Chinese cabbage, radish, onions, garlic stems and other vegetables, fermented with salt and different types of Asian seasonings. Kimchi is a staple side dish in Korea; so much that meals in Korea are not complete without it. Also, in Korea, kimchi is served differently depending on the season. Kimchi tastes good, but is renowned for having a very pronounced stench. However, kimchi is very rich in nutrients. It contains high amounts of Vitamin C and carotene. It is also rich in fiber, making great for detoxifying the body.

Sauerkraut is another well-known type of pickled food. Sauerkraut comes from Germany and the word basically translates to sour cabbage. This type of pickle is fermented using different types of lactic acid bacteria, including lactobacillus. Sauerkraut is somewhat similar to coleslaw as both are cabbage-based food. Sauerkraut is a staple food in Germany as it is mixed with various dishes. It contains different vitamins and nutrients, including Vitamin C.

Pickled food can also be enjoyed in other ways. Picked dills, in particular, are very famous for having so many variations. In the United States, picked dills are actually breaded and fried. These are extremely popular in the Southern parts of the United States. These are great and tasty snacks. But since they are friend and breaded, they contain fat. These are less healthy than regular sour dills. However, if you want variation in your pickles, this is definitely worth a try.

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