Cultured Cranberry-Apple Treat

My best fermentation recipe yet! Perfect for fall.

Ingredients

4 small apples, peeled and shredded

1 cup chopped raw cranberries (a food processor with an S blade works well)

1 celery stalk, thinly sliced

4 T brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup*

Filtered water

Your choice of sugar-loving probiotics (I used Biotiquest Ideal Immunity)

Special equipment

Canning funnel

Quart jar and lid 

Fermentation weight (optional)

Fermentation device (I use a heating pad in an insulated grocery bag)

Combine the apples, cranberries, celery, maple syrup and brown sugar in a bowl and mix. Put the canning funnel on the jar and spoon in the mixture. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. Put in the probiotics, opening the capsules if applicable. With a clean spoon or knife, push the probiotics into the jar and move the ingredients around to bring air bubbles to the surface. Put the fermentation weight in the jar if using. Put the lid on loosely (or use a fermentation lid). 

Ferment until the mixture is no longer sweet. (It took five days for a batch in a cool house with the heating pad set on medium.)

*Most of what passes for maple syrup is corn syrup. Make sure you're using real maple syrup, or substitute brown sugar, or omit. Don't use honey, as it can contain botulism that can grow during fermentation.